Livestock rearing plays a major role in the rural economy, with goats providing a valuable source of livelihood and pathway out of poverty - particularly for women. But many goat keepers experience high herd mortality and poor returns - due to traditional practices, lack of veterinary services, and poor feeding/sanitation practices.
Ambuja Foundation is using Goat Based Livelihoods to uplift and empower rural families- How? By forming Goat Based Livelihood Groups; Developing a cadre of 'Pashu Sakhi' for door to door vet care services; improving breeds by using new, desired and healthy breeding buck; promoting proper feed and fodder management and growth monitoring; ensuring proper goatshed management and hygiene; and facilitating collective selling on the basis of live body weight.
Innovating further, a Goat Bank model has been kick-started in Farakka, West Bengal, which provides all goat related services in one place for farmers.
Goat Based Livelihoods is now a crucial part of the Agro-Based Livelihoods programme at Ambuja Foundation and has spread to other locations, including:
Chhattisgarh
- Baloda Bazaar: 139
- Raigarh: 93
- Tilda: 25
West Bengal
- Sankrail: 119
Rajasthan
- Ladnu: 194
- Mundwa: 224
- Rabriyawas: 57
