Rearing to Go

Old McDonald is no longer the only one with a farm. Barabon Kalyan Women Self Help Group of Bankura district also owns one now where there is always a quack! All the member of Barabon Kalyan Women Self Help Group Bankura, West Bengal were engaged in agriculture practices in their small holding of land. The production was too limited to meet their family needs. They were unable to send their children to school. A supplementary livelihood activity was needed to augment the family income.

Activity

Poultry farming by 15 members of Barabon Kalyan WSHG, Bankura, West Bengal 

Nature of Intervention

The anchor NGO, Gandhi Vichar Parisad provided two days' training on Group Management & Accounts to the WSHG members. Keeping in view the interest of the group members in poultry farming, the NGO arranged an exposure visit to private poultry farm in Chhatna block of the district. Loan of Rs. 0.50 lakh in first phase and Rs.1.25 lakh in second phase was also disbursed after opening of SB account with Punjab National Bank.

The Impact

Income generated - Profit of Rs.10,000/- to Rs.15,000/- per sale.

The group constructed a poultry shed in community land. The members purchase chicks from Amrit hatchery and sell the chicken in local market at a profit. The group members deposit 5 percent of the profit in their S.B. account. They have a buy-back arrangement with the Hatchery which provides medicines and food to the groups. The group also earns profit by selling the chicks to the hatchery.

The group members are very happy now, a lot of changes have happened in their lives. After group formation their bargaining power has increased. The group members besides economic activities are doing a lot of social activities viz. they are taking active participation against child marriage campaigning, alcoholism, domestic violence, etc. They have gained self-confidence and are planning to extend their business.

The groups are in contact with the Animal Husbandry Department for setting up of a layer farm for egg production. 

Critical Determinants

• Exposure visit provided an insight on how to take up the activity commercially
• Loan from the bank

Source : Creating Livelihoods, Changing Lives