THE BAIF JOURNAL

Empowerment of Women for Improved Quality of Life

July - September 2013Vol. 35

Homage To Dr. Neelkanth KalyaniDr. Neelkanth A. Kalyani was associated with BAIF as a Trustee from 1986 to 2004. A strong supporter and admirer of BAIF, Dr. Kalyani took active part in the development and provided valuable guidance which was beneficial for strengthening the organisation and for expansion of our programmes across the country. The BAIF staff pay their tribute to Dr. Kalyani and pray for eternal peace of the departed soul.

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BAIF TRUSTEESMr. Hrishikesh A. MafatlalChairmanDr. M.S. SwaminathanVice ChairmanMr. Hasmukh S. ShahChairman, Executive Committee ofBAIF TrusteesSmt. Rajashree A. BirlaMr. Kishor A. ChaukarMr. Sunil. S. LalbhaiMr. Deepak C. MehtaDr. Sudha N. MurtyMr. Pratap G. PawarMr. Sharad UpasaniDr. Narayan G. HegdeMr. Ramesh RawalMr. Girish G. SohaniPresident and Managing TrusteeFounder: Late Dr. Manibhai Desai

I n t h i s I s s u e

July - September 2013 Vol. 35

1 Rural Transformation

2 BAIF Foundation Day Celebrated

5 Recipient Of Awards

9 BAIF’S ImGoats Programme Shows The Way For Goat Development Across The Country

12 Regional News

17 Genomic Applications Seminar

19 Health Camps For Better Health In ImGoats Programme

THE BAIF JOURNALA quarterly journal of the

BAIF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION

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Cover Page Photographs: Photo 1: Shri. Vinayaka Women’s Group, Tiptur, Karnataka - Best SHG in BAIF ProgrammePhoto 2: Pragati Women’s Group and Dhiran Juth, Aachwala, Tapi, Gujarat - Second Best SHG in BAIF Programme Photo 3: Varsha Women’s Group, Kaprada, Valsad, Gujarat - Second Best SHG in BAIF Programme Photo 4: Daryabai Women’s Group, Akole, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra - Best SHG in Maharashtra

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focus is on sound technology, and market linkages for the small-holder particularly, women. On the one side we have worked on drawing learnings and insights from these programme experiences so that these can be fed into policy-making such as through the policy dialogue organized by ILRI and BAIF or through bringing about discussions on cutting edge technology and approaches such as the symposium on Genomics Application which we organized together with CRI, with support from USDA. All these help us to move on with more solid steps to contribute to rural transformation. You will read all of these in this issue and more.

Happy Reading!!!

Girish G. Sohani

Dear Colleagues and Friends,Last month, we had the good occasion of celebrating the 46th Foundation Day of BAIF. We did this by honouring some of our illustrious participants – women from vibrant SHGs and innovative farmers as well as our last-mile crusaders who are helping the rural communities to transform their life. The work of all these is the true foundation of BAIF and is an ever-continuing inspiration for all of us. Equally inspiring was the presence of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General of ICAR as the Chief Guest for the function. His straight-from the heart address came as a great motivation for us to do more and better. We continue to work on deeper collaboration with ICAR Institutes in the areas of applied research, technology transfer and making possible environmentally sound, climate-resilient and sustainable livelihood. Numerous new paths towards this continue to unfold in our programmes – agri-horti value chains, open-field floriculture and livestock development. In all these, the

F r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t

Rural Transformation

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BAIF Foundation Day Celebrated“Women are playing a very significant role in agricultural development in the country with Indian agriculture becoming women-oriented and 65% of the Agricultural Scientists in the country is accounted by women”, stated Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi. Dr. Ayyappan was speaking at the Foundation Day celebration of BAIF and the Award Ceremony to felicitate rural and tribal women from BAIF’s programmes who have played a leading role in community development. While complimenting these women who have struggled against various odds and developed confidence to approach senior Government Officials in their districts to pay attention to their problems, he expressed that these courageous women can indeed act as resource persons in agricultural extension. Dr. Ayyappan also complimented the role of farmers from the tribal belt of Jawhar in Thane district who are actively engaged in germplasm conservation of paddy and other indigenous crops and have been recognized at the national level for their achievements and expressed that a farmers’ world has indeed been established at Urulikanchan, where BAIF was established 46 years ago by Late Dr. Manibhai Desai, a visionary.

Sri Vinayaka Mahila Group from Chikkabidare taluk in Tumkur district of Karnataka was the recipient of the “Dr. Manibhai Desai Gaurav Puraskar” and “Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh Memorial Award” for the Best Self Help Group in BAIF’s Programmes. The Award carried a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a citation. While describing their activities for village development, this group expressed their gratitude to their

family for their wholehearted cooperation and support which has enabled these women to play an active role in socio-economic development of women. One of the members also shared that with the support and encouragement of the group and the family, her son is pursuing engineering studies. Pragati Mahila Bachat Gat from Songadh taluk, Tapi district and Varsha Mahila Bachat Gat from Kaprada, Valsad district of Gujarat, were adjudged the Second Best Self Help Group and were the recipient of “Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh Memorial Award”. This award carries a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 and a citation. Pragati Mahila Group shared their experience in improving the infrastructural development in their village and efficient transportation by ensuring the presence of mini buses for the travel of the villagers to distant villages and towns. Varsha Self Help Group shared their experience in achieving functional literacy of 6 of the women members of their group which comprises of illiterate women and these 6 women are now confidently signing on bank documents and interact with senior bank officials for application of loans and repayment of loans. They have also achieved infrastructure development and now all vehicles can enter their village. The

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Anganwadi workers are also educating the mothers of the students indirectly who have had no formal education but are now aware of which class their children are studying in. Their aim is that all the children of their village will attend school in the future. Daryabai Mahila Bachat Gat from Chandgirwadi village, Ekdare cluster of Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district, was the recipient of the “Smt. Vijaya Deshmukh Memorial Award” for the Best Self Help Group in Maharashtra. This award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a citation. While sharing their experiences, the group narrated their experience of making a visit to the holy town of Shirdi to purchase forestry and fruit seedlings for raising in the nursery established by them and also seeking the blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba for their new venture. They proudly shared that their village has abundant water supply and now they have adequate water for their own consumption as well as visitors. They also proudly stated that they have eradicated alcohol from their village and their village and the villagers are a model village and model residents. They also shared their experience of helping out a critically ill daughter of one of the members who was taken to the hospital for timely treatment by the members and two of the members also stayed with the girl and her mother to look after her and to extend moral support apart from financial support from their meagre sources.

Sushma Lakda, a woman dairy farmer from Jharkhand narrated her experience in maintaining a herd of 20 cows who yield more than 100 litres of milk per day enabling her to pursue the engineering studies of two of her children in the capital city of Ranchi and also proudly stated that her children are proud of their mother’s achievements. On this occasion, Sushma was felicitated in the category of “Best Farmer”. Minja Sohabat Gond, a tribal farmer from Dhapa villge in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh was also adjudged the Best Farmer” and felicitated on this occasion for cultivating mango crops on his land and earning sustainable income from mango crop.

Two farmers from Jawhar tribal belt of Thane district, were also felicitated on this occasion. Sunil Kamadi was felicitated for being adjudged the Best Farmer and Plant Genome Savior by the Government of India in 2011-12 while Mavanji Ganpat Pawar was also felicitated for winning the “Plant Genome Savior Farmer Recognition Award 2011-12 by the Government of India while the Seed Saver’s Farmer’s Group from Jawhar cluster was felicitated for being awarded the “Plant Genome Seed Saviour Community Award 2011-12 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. These farmers who are involved in germplasm conservation of paddy and other crops and revival of these crops for biodiversity conservation, also shared their experiences and due to their hard work, every home in the cluster is using the local variety of paddy promoted by them. They have also started the functioning of an organic training centre at their village for the benefit of farmers and also established a community seed bank. On this occasion, three Cattle Development centre In-charges’ were felicitated. They included Sanjay Yadav from Jharkhand,

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Dr. Ayyappan expressed great admiration for the women and their courageous activities for community development. He also took time out to visit various Sections of BAIF Central Research Station and expressed satisfaction with the m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y programme developed by BAIF which has been making a direct impact in the lives of the rural poor.

“It was a learning experience visiting BAIF and its varied programmes. An institution with a great vision, practical work, plans, sincere implementation and a heart for society. My salutations to the Founder, compliments to all BAIF colleagues and best wishes in all future endeavours”.

Dinkar Kumbhar from Karad taluka of Satara district and Trimbak Warpe from Chikhali, Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district for achieving record inseminations of dairy animals under their centres and for their efficient breeding and advisory services at the doorsteps of small and marginal farmers. Sanjay Yadav who is working with the cattle development centre at Ghorsanda was awarded for achieving the highest conception rate in AI technology with a record of 2122 cows and buffaloes being inseminated with 71% conception rate and 962 crossbreds being born and 351 being in milk.

Earlier, Dr. Narayan G. Hegde, Trustee and Principal Adviser, BAIF, highlighted the role of the cow as the vehicle and a powerful tool for gainful employment of small and marginal farmers and the role of women in ensuring food security by their role in orchard development and described the background of Urulikanchan before the establishment of BAIF and how poverty which was a

disease was uprooted from the village with the development programmes launched by the Founder of BAIF. Mr. Girish G. Sohani, President, BAIF, highlighted the growth of BAIF and the development in difficult terrains such as desert development and hill area development through sustainable development programmes and the extension of BAIF’s programmes from 16 states to 17 states with the entry into Meghalaya. Dr. Ashok B. Pande, Senior Vice President, BAIF provided a background of the Awards. Dr. J.R. Khadse, Chief Campus Coordinator, BAIF Central Research Station, Urulikanchan, proposed the vote of thanks. On this occasion, the BAIF Staff were also felicitated for “Best Scientific Paper” and Best Case Studies under BAIF Programmes while the children of BAIF staff were also felicitated for their good performance in the secondary and higher secondary Board Examinations. The BAIF Annual Report 2012-13 and the Research Highlights for 2012 were also released on this occasion.

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from the sale of milk. Unfortunately, one of the cows died. However, she did not lose heart but continued her occupation as a dairy farmer with one cow.

Today, her herd has increased to 9 cows, all of which are in milk, enabling her to earn a monthly income of Rs. 28,000 to Rs. 30,000 from the sale of 70 - 75 litres of milk collected and supplied to Lohardaga Dairy every day. She has 14 heifers born out of BAIF’s programme out of which, 5 are in milk, and two have attained maturity and have been inseminated with the breeding services provided by BAIF at her doorsteps. She has also earned substantial amount of money from the sale of her prized heifers. Her success story has fetched her National and State level Awards and she continues to inspire the community particularly women aspiring for better quality of life.

With this assured source of livelihood, Sushma who herself could not receive formal education due to extreme poverty, has been able to fulfil her dream of giving

Sushma Lakda, a woman dairy farmer from Kudu Navatoli village in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand, was adjuded the “Best Dairy Farmer” of BAIF, and felicitated on the occasion of the Foundation Day of BAIF on August 24, 2013 at the BAIF Central Research Station at Urulikanchan, near Pune, by Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR, New Delhi.

Prior to 2004, Sushma used to support her family comprising of her husband who was a small farmer, two sons and one daughter, by selling wayside country liquor made out of rice fermentation. It was a trying time for her. The turning point in her life came when the cattle development programme of BAIF was launched at her village with the support of the Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of Jharkhand. Under this scheme, small farmers with interest in dairy husbandry for assured livelihood, were selected and distributed two cows. Sushma was one of the beneficiaries of this scheme and was supported with one cow initially and the second after six months. She was happy with the income earned

Recipients of AwardsBest Dairy Farmer Award

C o v e r S t o r y

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her children who are extremely proud of their mother’s achievements and who have told their mother when she was planning to build a house, that she had done enough for them by giving them the best possible education and now, it was their turn to repay their mother’s hard work and kindness by building a house once they started earning after completing their engineering studies.

the best possible education to her children with the result that while her sons are pursuing engineering degree in Ranchi Engineering College, her only daughter is also studying Engineering in Jamshedpur. Sushma’s biggest achievement is that her husband who used to earlier taunt her efforts in dairy husbandry, is now one of her strong supporters, not to speak of the encouragement she is receiving from

present, all the members have taken loans for agriculture, maintaining crossbred cows, operation of petty shop, garment business and onion business. In the beginning, only 50% were literate but now all the members can read and write. The group maintains their own accounts. Every member is well versed with bank activities and confidently interacts with the bank officials. The group conducts meetings once a week to discuss transactions, health issues, promotion of kitchen garden, different schemes available at the village level and activities which can be taken up at the family and village levels. The group started their activities with anti-liquor campaign in the village which met with success. Their balance sheet is audited every year by a qualified Chartered Accountant and the group proudly mentions that they pay the fees of the CA. Since last three years, they have started rotational leadership. Realising the value of education, all the members have encouraged their children to pursue higher education including their daughters as they had not received this opportunity. They now feel that their children are fulfilling their dreams.

Shri. Vinayaka Mahila Swashaya Sangha

Shri Vinayaka Mahila Swashaya Sangha was established in the year 2004 in Chikkibidare village, Tiptur, Tumkur district with 16 members. Each member saves Rs. 80 per month now as compared to Rs. 40 per month when they formed the group. The total savings so far is Rs. 2.33 lakhs. At present, every member has been able to save Rs. 5695. The total credit is Rs. 15.54 lakhs while the repayment is Rs. 9 lakhs. The group has taken bank loan twice and repaid on time. In the beginning, loans were taken for health, education, purchase of foodgrains and house repair. Later, the members were encouraged to also avail of loans for productive purpose. At

BEST SHG AWARD

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now able to save Rs. 50 per month. The total savings is Rs. 52,120. One of the members is a member of the Village Panchayat while another member is serving on the committee of the local Dairy Cooperative. The members participate in the Gram Sabha regularly and are very active in their Anganwadi and in the celebration of Mamta Day. The group is also a member of the Surabhi Federation and one of the members is the Secretary of this federation. Many members have land and have mobilised knowledge of nursery raising, vermicomposting and grafting which they are applying in livelihood activities. They have worked hard towards their betterment. The group has taken Rs. 1.30 lakhs as bank loan and is repaying the amount regularly. As a Self Help Group, they are working very efficiently and contributing substantially to the income of the family. Their future plan includes backyard poultry and goat husbandry for profitability.Varsha Mahila Mandal Varsha Mahila Mandal, Dhamani in Kaprada, Valsad district of Gujarat was established in the year 2004 with 11 members. The group conducts regular meetings and financial and social activities. Starting with a modest saving of Rs. 10/-, the members have been able

They have carried out several village level activities like cleanliness drive, plantation program, anti-liquor campaign and participation in Independence Day programme. Some of them are active member of the School Committee and one of them is also the Chairman of the local dairy. This group participates actively in Gram Sabhas and has taken advantage of various Government schemes such as Indira Awas Yojana, toilet scheme, free fertilizers, etc. The group proudly shares the fact that they started with 16 members and even after nearly 10 years, all the members are actively associated with the group. They have encouraged other women to form groups and based on their motivation, 4 more groups have been promoted in their village. Earlier, the women used to work as labour in other farmers’ fields but now

they themselves are owner of farms or own a cow or a small shop. This is the sea change in their lives. Pragati Mahila Group and Dhiran JuthPragati Mahila Bachat and Dhiran Juth, Aachwala in Songad, Tapi district of Gujarat was established in 2007 with 13 members. The group conducts regular meetings and maintains its own records. Starting with Rs. 30, the members are

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to increase their savings to Rs. 50 per month. The group has taken bank loan of Rs. 10,000 and repaid it on time. Under the Sardar Awas Yojana, a grant of Rs. 6.66 lakhs was used by every member to construct pucca houses. Most of the members have struggled a lot to enhance their quality of life. The group actively participates in village activities such as sanitation drive, anganwadi support and participation in the Gram Sabha. Most of them are wadi participants and have acquired skills in grafting and nursery raising and are making a profit from their modest wadis. Along with income

generation, they are also enjoying enhanced status in their families and the community. All of them are confident and bold to share their problems and aspirations of the group with concerned agencies. They have been a great support to each other in difficult times and have developed solidarity.

Daryabai Mahila Group Daryabai Mahila Bachat Gat from Chandgirwadi, Ekdare, Akole in Ahmednagar district has been named after their local deity “Daryabai”. This group was formed in the year 2010. Since

the beginning, they have had 12 members and a significant aspect of their growth

has been the fact that they have changed leaders twice during the last 10 years to provide opportunity to all the members. Their total saving is Rs.26,400 and they have availed bank loan worth Rs. 1.32 lakhs which they are repaying regularly. Their records are well maintained and they are all up-to-date about their savings, loan, interest and bank balance.

All of them have struggled very hard to enhance their livelihood status making use of loans for productive purposes. These courageous women were successful in combating illicit liquor trade in their village and mobilized the support of nearby SHGs for their successful campaign. The group has also constructed a well by contributing their labour to address water scarcity in their village. They are a source of inspiration for the Anganwadi and Asha workers as well as for other SHGs in the village. They insist on education for the girl child and they have taken a vow not to allow the marriages of their daughters at an early age.

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meetings to understand the problems and opportunities. This enabled goat keepers to focus on better quality animals, understand the demand for type of animals, appropriate season for marketing and consumer expectation about the color, size, etc. With improved growth, followed by selling on weight basis, enabled farmers to fetch better price almost 200-300% more than what they were receiving earlier. Further efforts by local youth to aggregate goats from their villages for collective marketing, in nearby towns, enabled them to earn 20-30% higher price.

3. Feeding: Goat keepers in general, let their animals loose for grazing without any supplementary feed although they have opportunities for use of agro by-products which are wasted. The project demonstrated various agricultural crop residues, foliage from trees and azolla grown in the backyards, apart from mineral supplementation through area-specific salt licks, which ensured good health and higher growth rate of goats.

4.The project also facilitated cordial relationship and effective interaction between goat keepers and state veterinary services to take advantage

BAIF had an excellent opportunity to associate with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi in implementing the imGoats project, funded by the European Union through IFAD and implemented in Mozambique and India. As an implementing partner in India, BAIF launched the programme for two and a half years from 2011-13 in 44 villages of Udaipur district of Rajasthan, benefitting 2685 households and 2000 households in 50 villages in Dumka district of Jharkhand. The project aimed at developing small ruminant value chain as a platform for increasing food security in arid regions by developing goat husbandry into a profitable and environmentally sound enterprise for the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The project focussed on the following activities:1.Genetic improvement through

maintenance of elite bucks by each goat keeper group, regular vaccination and deworming, training of goat keepers in good husbandry practices and organizing goat keepers to initiate marketing through direct contact with users, could result in reduction in mortality from 40% to less than 10%. Introduction of locally suitable breeds such as Sirohi in Rajasthan and Black Bengal in Jharkhand, to produce elite progeny while rigorously culling weak and nondescript animals, could bring a significant genetic improvement, leading to higher productivity while keeping a control on the herd size.

2.Increased interaction among goat keepers: An effort was made to develop an Innovative Platform to bring all the stakeholders, goat keepers, farmers and veterinary officers for periodic

BAIF’s imGoats Programme Shows the Way for Goat Development across the Country

ImGoats Project Team

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of the infrastructure and services such as examination of faces for diagnosis of diseases and timely vaccination which further helped the goat keepers to reduce the cost of production and ensured better price realization.

5. Mentoring of the goat keepers and providing critical services at an affordable cost was a key component which was fulfilled by appointment of trained local youth preferably women as

Field Guides. These paravets were able to meet the members of goat keepers’ groups and carried out deworming, castration, vaccination, demonstration on feeding, etc. which enabled the poor goat keepers to gain confidence and adopt various technologies without hesitation, by paying the service charges. This was also a critical component for sustainability of the programme beyond the project.

Need for Policy Support for Wider Replication:The learings of this project has greater relevance for wider replication across the country. To replicate the environmentally sound goat husbandry programme across the country, there was a need for the following policy support to give further boost to the programme: • Training courses for Field Guides, particularly women• Support for self employment of FGs: Registration with AHD;• Supply of First Aid kit; Periodic training and technical monitoring;• Access to D I Lab, particularly for fecal testing and Veterinary Doctors• Assistance for Farmers’ Training and Demonstration• Incentives for Breed conservation and Genetic improvement through AI• Disease Surveillance: Disease Mapping; Preventive vaccination, • Disease diagnostic services and Public awareness• Support for Community Pasture Development and Forage production• Promotion of Goat keepers’ Groups and Federations• Credit facilities through Groups and attractive Insurance Schemes • Facilitation of Periodic Stakeholders’ Meetings (Innovative Platform)• Establishment of Block level Market yards for weekly / Daily sales• Support for processing of milk and meat under Public Private Partnership

• Annual Fairs and Recognition of outstanding Goat keepers

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At the ILRI-BAIF Policy Consultation held on August 13, 2013 in New Delhi, various key policy issues related to the small ruminant sector were identified, to strengthen this sector across the country as an assured source of livelihood for weaker sections of the society.

Innovative approaches for Goat Development have been making significant impact on productivity and profitability during the last 10 years. The experiences of BAIF in implementing the innovative “Small ruminant value chain as platforms for reducing poverty and increasing food security in dryland areas of India and Mozambique” Project with the support of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in the states of Rajasthan and Jharkhand and a similar project implemented in Mozambique, Africa as well as other projects, were shared at this meeting, for the benefit of policy makers, field practitioners and farmers. Experiences of other goat development projects implemented by various organizations in India were also invited to share their experiences. Based on these presentations, key policy and technical issues critical for wider replication of this programme were identified.

Experts from Department of Animal Husbandry, ICAR, Government of India and various states, and representatives from USAID, IFAD and some civil society organisations participated in this meeting. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Sanjay Bhoosreddy, Joint Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

ILRI-BAIF Policy Consultation on Goat Development

The French Connection

Visit of French Delegation to the Sachetana Safe Drinking Water Project at Margankunte village in Bagepalli taluka of Chikkballapur district of Karnataka on July 17, 2013.

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Regional News

STATE LEVEL TRADE FAIR The Udyogini fair to showcase and sell products prepared by women’s SHGs established under BAIF-MITTRA programme, was organised at Jawhar on March 19-20, 2013. The fair was inaugurated by Trustee MITTRA, Shri. Vinayak Patil. The President of the Municipal Council of Jawhar, Sri. Riyaz Maniyar, the-then Chief Programme Coordinator, MITTRA Mr. V.Y. Deshpande, senior Government officials and a large number of citizens of Jawhar town also graced the occasion. The dignitaries appreciated the efforts of the rural women in displaying various useful traditional products and guided these entrepreneurs on acquiring better marketing skills. The tribal groups from Kalamvihara and Tuljapur villages put up an entertainment programme with traditional dances such as Tarpa and Dholnach.

The fair was attended by 121 women SHGs from Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Yavatmal, Nandurbar, Thane, Nasik and Pune districts. The SHGs displayed various products such as bamboo handicrafts and baskets, traditional eateries made from finger millet, different varieties of tubers and vegetables, traditional preparations made from rice, traditional jowar bread and chick pea preparation (Jhunka- Bhakar), seeds of indigenous landraces of crops, hand pounded rice, knitted garments, traditional milk products, spices and herbs and herbal medicines.

The trade fair drew more than 2000 visitors from Jawhar town and its surrounding villages. The response towards the products displayed by the women SHGs,

was overwhelming and Rs. 92,000 worth of goods were sold during the two-day fair. The stall by women’s SHG ‘Mata Saraswati Mahila Bachat Gat’, Talpewadi, Shenit, Akole taluka in Ahmednagar district, won the first prize for their skills in marketing and sale of organic food and vegetables. The second prize was won by ‘Mahila Bachat Gat’, Teri, Chandrapur

MAHARASHTRA

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district while the third prize was won by ‘Jiwandani Mahila Bachat Gat’, Shahapur in Thane district. ‘Adivasi Mata Mahila Bachat Gat’, Sindewahi in Chandrapur district and ‘Yashodhara Mahila Bachat Gat’, Bhamragad in Gadchiroli district were awarded consolation prizes.

The women SHG members shared their experiences, successes and failures. All the women SHG members who had come from remote areas of Maharashtra, enjoyed the experience of being away from their daily activities and the confidence gained in marketing their products. There was a joyous feeling, exchange of mobile numbers, tears in their eyes at the time of parting and determination to meet again next year, in yet another fair organized by MITTRA.

BUFFALO BOOM A project to revive the dwindling buffalo population and decreasing milk yield in Punjab is yielding results with 61,000calves of upgraded breeds having been born through Artificial Insemination (AI) technique in the last two years apart from 50,000 cow calves born under the programme. The “Improving milk productivity of milch animals, especially buffaloes, by providing Artificial Insemination service at the doorstep of the farmers through Integrated Buffalo Development Centres (IBDCs)” Project was launched in 2010 on the recommendation of the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission. The Milkfed (Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited) is the implementing agency, the State Animal Husbandry department is providing technical support and the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana (RKVY) has been funding this project. During the time the project was launched, the number of buffaloes in Punjab had reduced from 61 lakhs to 32 lakhs in a little over a decade.

PUNJAB

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“The average milk yield of buffaloes is quite low - around 1500 litres per lactation (290 days in a year). Farmers’ income can be enhanced only by improving milk productivity, which can be achieved by upgrading the breed through AI technique using superior quality semen with potential to ensure 4000 litres per lactation,” says the Secretary of the Punjab State Farmers’ Commission, Dr Balwinder Singh Sidhu.

“Under the project, around 200 Integrated Buffalo Development Centers were started in the first phase in Kandi, Bet, and waterlogged areas of the state to provide AI services at the farmers’ doorsteps. Milkfed Punjab was designated as the end implementing agency and BAIF was one of the NGOs identified for implementing the programme,”, stated Dr. Sidhu.

Dr. R.S Jadhav, Additional Chief Programme Coordinator, BAIF, says, “we started providing the AI services in identified villages around the IBDCs. We are using the semen of buffaloes with potential of producing 4000 litres of milk per lactation and cows which can produce 7000 litres. Our target is to deliver 1000 calves per centre during the project period of five years.”

In all, 5.32 lakh instances of artificial insemination were carried out in the state between late 2010 and June this year, of which BAIF accounts for 2.98 lakhs through the centres. Every centre covers five to six villages. As of June, 1.11 lakh calves (61,000 buffaloes and 50,000 cows) were born with BAIF accounting for 71,430 says Dr Sidharth of Milkfed. He says Milkfed has a frozen semen station at Khanna with modern processing facilities.

“After providing training in AI, we have employed local youth at a salary of Rs 3,500 to help us with the task. They also receive incentives on confirmation of pregnancy and delivery of calves,” says Anilpati Tripathi, District Programme Officer, BAIF. He says one of their centres in Hoshiarpur, has conducted 200 AI per month and the results in Ropar district too are also good.

The IBDCs have liquid nitrogen gas containers and AI kits. Farmers pay the NGO Rs 30 per insemination. This money is deposited with Milkfed, Punjab, which is using the fund to create a corpus to run IBDCs once the contract with the NGOs ends.

Dr. Sidhu says that the progress of the project is quite encouraging with farmers showing a lot of interest as they want to increase their milk production. The calves under this project, will mature in two to three years and their milk productivity will be monitored across the state, he adds.

An added advantage of the IBDCs has come in the form of help to farmers on deworming, vaccination, first aid, management and supply of fodder seed.

Source : The Indian Express. July 12, 2013

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RAINWATER HARVESTING PROJECT LAUNCHED The Sachetana Project for providing safe drinking water through rooftop rain water harvesting, was launched at Chikkadalavatta village in Madhugiri taluka, Tumkur district, by the CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Tumkur, Mr. Govindaraju on June 2, 2013. The project, sponsored by HSBC, Bangalore, under its Water Programme, aims at supporting 1000 families from 6 villages in Chikkadalavatta Gram Panchayat to construct rainwater harvesting units of 5000 litre capacity each. Speaking on the occasion, the CEO, emphasized the importance of safe drinking water - “one cannot imagine life without water. Today, the underground water table is going down deep and deep every year. In Tumkur district, it has gone as deep as 800 to 1000 feet. Water from this deeper layer is not potable for drinking purpose as it contains high fluoride and other harmful elements. Hence, rainwater harvesting has become a necessity today”. He also emphasised the need for conservation of natural resources, forestry plantation and soil and water conservation for sustained rural development and revival of traditional concepts like voluntary labour to keep the villages clean and green. He advised the community to make best use of the project.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Gregory Apostolakis, Head of Service Delivery, HSBC, Bangalore, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project and the commitment of HSBC towards safe drinking water for the rural communities. Prof. G. Puttaramaiah, Principal Coordinator, Bhoomigeeta Institute for Research and Development, Tumkur and Mr. K. Mallikarjunappa, Chief Programme Coordinator, BAIF, also spoke on the occasion.

Sri. Nagabhushan Reddy, Mallikarjuna and Survesh shared their experiences in implementation of the rainwater harvesting project in YN. Hosakote hobli, Tumkur. Demand Drafts amounting to Rs, 18,700.00 each were given on this occasion to Sri. Shanivarappa from Janakaloti village and Mrs. Vanajakshi from Tondoti village for completing the construction of rainwater harvesting units under the project.

Officials and guests from HSBC, visited Tondoti village and observed the RWH unit constructed by one of the project participants, Mr. Krishna Yadav. They also interacted with the other participants in the village. More than 65 men and women participated in the programme.

M.N. Kulkarni and L. Naik, BIRD-K, Tumkur

KARNATAKA

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SEVEN IN A ROW

Under Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and Nirjhar Ashram livestock development centre, TalabAti Murmu, wife of Subodh Kishku, a small farmer from Jamua village in Godda district, created a sensation when her herd of goats recorded the birth of 7 kids at a time – 3 males and 4 females named Kali, Chandeli, Sadni, Lalsada, Kaveri, Kalasafed and Bhureram having weight 1.9, 2.1, 4, 3.6, 3.6, 3.6 and 3.5 kg respectively on May 7, 2013. The dam was highly prolific and multiple births were a common phenomenon. The age of the dam was 6 years with a weight record of 24 kg. It had been serviced by a project buck on December 6. 2012. All the kids except the one named Kali, were normal and healthy. The kids on inspection were found to be in an excited yet stable condition with bright eyes and shiny skin.

SUCCESS IS OURS

Ms. Vikas Goswami, CSR Head, Vedanta Group and Ms Susham Sharma Associate Manager, HZL CSR and Mr. B.P. Pusjkarna, Executive, CSR, HZL, visited the Integrated Livestock Development Pro nd Improved Agri-horti and rainwater harvesting Project at Chanderia village in Chittorgarh district on August 8, 2013. Dr. J.P. Partani, Project Officer, briefed the visitors about the impact of the livestock and agriculture-related activities. Ms. Goswami interacted with the participants of livestock and wadi programmes and with the Panchayati Raj Institution members and appreciated the programme. Finally Ms. Goswami left with an inspiring message, “Hum Honge Kamyab”

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Genomic Applications Seminar

“Application of the technology of genomics including genome sequence analysis, genomic mapping and establishment of a genome laboratory apart from availability of manpower, are the challenges of developing countries. Lack of a scientific approach and absence of progeny tested bulls, makes the role of genomics critical. This calls for a paradigm shift from traditional Artificial Insemination (AI) technology to progeny testing of bulls and use of their semen in the AI programme” and to launch a national programme to ensure that high progeny tested bulls are available in future, stated Shri. Eknath Dawale, IAS, Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra. Shri. Dawale was delivering the Presidential Address at the one-day “Genomic Applications Seminar” sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) Emerging Markets Program (EMP) and organised by Cooperative Resources International (CRI), United States and BAIF Development Research Foundation at the headquarters of BAIF in Pune. Genetic breed improvement of 5 native breeds of cattle and 3 breeds of buffaloes, with their drought tolerant, good SNF, fat and profitability aspects, identified in Maharashtra, makes these breeds superior to other species, he added.

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With the active participation of farmers, genomics is the answer for faster genetic improvement, he concluded.

Earlier, Shri. Girish G. Sohani, President, BAIF, stated that genomics is an emerging area which is applicable to indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes breeds of economic importance and although this technology is popular in many parts of the world, India is slowly moving towards this technology. Genomics-based selection of good quality bulls has become the order of the day, he added. This technology has to be blended with pedigree information and information collected from the field on the performance of daughters’ of bulls. The application of this modern technology has to be refined constantly, he added. The objective of this one-day seminar was to facilitate sharing of views and issues of experts from various disciplines for the benefit of rural producers for whom dairy husbandry is a matter of livelihood security.

Shri. Raosaheb Shinde, Chairman, Ryat Shikshan Sanstha and Member, Board of Trustees of Maharashtra Institute of Technology Transfer for Rural Areas

(MITTRA), an Associate Organisation of BAIF in Maharashtra, complimented BAIF for adopting new technologies for the benefit of small and marginal farmers thereby adding to the national wealth.

Dr. Dean Gilge, Associate Vice President of Global Alliance Development, Cooperative Resources International (CRI), United States, stated that the objective of this seminar was to facilitate critical decisions in national, state and regional breeding policies using genomics technology. The other technical speakers included Dr. Albert De Vries, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Mr. Kevin Lindell, Assistance Professor, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Mr. Colten Green, Dairy National Account Manager, CRI. The seminar was attended by Dairy Experts and Development Practitioners including Rajabhau Mohite Patil, Shivamrut Dairy Cooperative, Akluj, CEO and senior representatives of Maharashtra Livestock Development Board, Milk Unions from Sangamner, Malshiras, Phaltan, Warna Dairy, Katraj Dairy, Dynamix Dairies Ltd., Baramati, Sahyadri Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd., Animal Husbandry Department, Maharashtra and from BAIF. Earlier, Dr. Ashok B. Pande, Senior Vice President, BAIF welcomed all the dignitaries and participants. Dr. J.R. Khadse, Chief Campus Coordinator, BAIF Central Research Station, Urulikanchan, proposed the vote of thanks.

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The imGoats Project was implemented in Jama block, Dumka district of Santhal Pargana in Jharkhand state. Santhal Pargana is the least developed part of the state. Although Dumka which is the headquarters of Santhal region, has been nominated as the second capital of the state, there has not been any significant development in industry and infrastructure in this region. Santhal is a tribal region. 45% of the total population of Dumka district is tribal and 51% population of the project area, Jama block, is tribal, where illiteracy is about 45%. The economy of Dumka district is agriculture and allied activities such as cattle and goat rearing. Rural families in Jama block preferred goat rearing as dairy husbandry was not feasible because of shortage of good quality feed and lack of health care and milk marketing facilities. With regard to goats, Black Bengal breed is very well known for good prolificacy, better meat and skin quality. However, it is a fragile breed for diseases like Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Goat Pox. Nearly 60% of the farmers own goats with an average herd size ranging from 4 to 6 goats.

The problem is more serious as the goat keepers in Jama block have very poor access to veterinary services. The baseline survey pointed out that although there is a Government veterinary hospital at Jama, vaccination services have been availed by only 13% of the goat keepers while only 4.5% of the farmers went for castrations which are done by open incision method, where kid mortality was high.

Considering these challenges, the programme focussed on capacity building of field staff and goat keepers are providing various health care practices for better health and reduction of mortality. These activities included deworming, vaccination, supply of First Aid Kits for emergency treatment and use of Burdizo castrator for painless and safe castration. Goat keepers were oriented to observe the impact of these initiatives through rate of kid mortality, growth, body weight gain, shiny skin coat, etc. During periodic monitoring of the field programme, it was noticed that some of the goats were still deprived of health services for various reasons. Hence, to provide health care for these stocks which were not covered, it was felt necessary to organize health camps to provide

Health Camps For Better Health In imGoats Programme

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Common medicines used in the health camp were dewormers such as Albendazole, Fenbebdazole etc., multivitamins, mineral mixture, antidiarrhoel, antibiotics, growth promoters, dressing cream, insecticidal solution, etc. So far, 21 health camps have been conducted in Jama block in different villages of all 4 clusters of the Project under the imGoats Project. This project was funded by the European Union through IFAD and International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, to develop good goat husbandry practices to enhance the income of poor goat keepers in India. A nominal registration charge of Rs. 2 per goat, was charged during the health camp. Most of the camps have been organised under the supervision of Government Veterinary Officer, Jama. Total 2462 goats belonging to 585 farmers, were provided treatment in these camps. For ecto parasite treatment, Butox was sprayed all over the body of infested goats and simultaneously followed up by spraying the shed after each camp. Medicines used were Vetzole, Boost up, Mineral mixture, Ceflox-TZ, Ciprofloxacin, etc.Organising goat camps, resulted in better health and reduced morbidity and mortality as well.

- Dr. Banani Mandal, BIRVA, Ranchi

multi-clinical services. Health camp is an opportunity for direct interaction between goat keepers and veterinarians along with proper medication of goat. It increases knowledge about care and management of goats. Before organising the health camp, the Project Officer takes a review of the health activities implemented in the project villages as well as in the adjoining villages where health care coverage is poor. Based on the communication and space available, a suitable location for the health camp is identified. The date of the camp is decided taking into consideration the availability of veterinary doctors and convenience of goat keepers (avoiding weekly market day and local festivals). Goat keepers in all the target villages are informed about the date and venue of the health camp.

Major activities covered in the health camp are deworming, vaccination, castration, spraying of ectoparaciticide, distribution of mineral mixture and general medication of all the goats based on examination. Generally, 6-7 volunteers are required for organizing a health camp. The work assignment is as follows: 1 for registration, 2 for spraying of ectoparaciticidal solution, 1 for vaccination, 1 for castration, 1 for assistance of doctor. All the animals are examined individually. Diseases encountered in the health camp are anorexia, pneumonia; fever, cold, PPR, Goat pox, malnutrition, mineral deficiency, bloat, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorder, ecto and endoparasitic disorders. As goats are mostly reared for chevon purpose, to enhance body weight, it is necessary to castrate all male kids. As a follow-up of the camp, Burdizo castrators were provided to the Supervisors to castrate male kids simply by pressing spermatic chord, which prevented blood supply to testes.

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From the BAIF Book Shelf

This book is a compilation of various Research, Thematic papers and Case Studies on livestock development, watershed development, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture, with focus on sustainable livelihood of rural families and food security, published in national and international journals, workshop proceedings and research reports in the year 2012.

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PATRONS AND ASSOCIATES OF BAIF: A CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP

BAIF has established the

Dr. Manibhai Desai Endowment Fundfor promoting sustainable livelihood in rural India.

We invite generous donors to support this worthy cause by associating with us as our Patrons and Associates.

You can become our Patron by contributing over Rs. 25 lakhs and our Associate by contributing over Rs. 10 lakhs.

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AS SEEN BY OTHERS

A Partner’s Journey towards India’s Development: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): Experience over five decades of development in India is a documentation of various development projects funded by CIDA and implemented by various project partners for Sustainable Rural Development in India including BAIF in water and energy conservation and empowerment of women.

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