ICAR-IVRI, Eastern Regional Station, along with IRRI, New Delhi (Collaborative Project); and SEVA (NGO), Atghara, Baduria organized a gosthi cum awareness programme on 21st December 2023 at Makaltala village of Habra-I Block, West Bengal under Developmental Action Plan for Schedule Tribes (DAPST). The event, which comprised a gosthi and animal health awareness programme, aimed to lay the groundwork for upcoming beneficiaries. A total of thirty (n=30) beneficiaries from Makaltala village actively participated in the Programme. From SEVA (NGO), Smt Anuradha Chatterjee, Mr. Kutubuddin Ahamed and Mr Avik Mitra; and from ICAR-IVRI, Dr. A. K. Das were present in the program. The primary objective of the initial program was to gather essential information about the scheduled tribe population, their primary occupations, awareness levels regarding livestock rearing, key challenges in livestock management, livestock preferences for rearing, and potential livestock population based on agricultural land. Based on the above essential information, there will be selection of group lead and beneficiary clusters formation for easy livestock managements and effective dissemination of information among group members.
Additional objectives included raising awareness about the DAPST program, elucidating the impact of climate change on gender roles in agriculture and livestock rearing, and informing beneficiaries about the distribution of inputs. The villagers, predominantly engaged in agriculture and livestock rearing, face constraints due to limited agricultural land primarily used for seasonal crop cultivation. Noteworthy is the significant role women play in agriculture within this community, with their livelihoods partially reliant on livestock rearing. The primary livestock in the area encompass cows, goats, hens, ducks, and pigs. During the event, Mr. Avik Mitra addressed the beneficiaries, providing insights into the role of women in agriculture, importance of cluster formation. He also shared his past work experience from North-Easten region. Dr Arun Das highlighted the pivotal role women play in agricultural activities, particularly in animal husbandry and poultry farming for enhancing family income as well as empowering them. He also indicated the significance of cluster formation for day-to-day activities like routine vaccination, scientific livestock management, and effective marketing strategies to enhance income. Smt Anuradha Chatterjee discussed the regarding possible ways for women cluster formation and also various possible future program to be conducted by their NGO and elaborated on their impact on the villagers in Makaltala.
Read more: https://www.ivri.nic.in/News/News261223.pdf
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