Collaborations 

Sustainable management of smallholder livestock depends on several factors such as availability of fodder, veterinary services. Unfortunately, the extension services in the livestock sector are very poor and the knowledge and skills to engage in profitable livestock farming. This requires development of the capacity of rural youth in scientific livestock management practices particularly development of a Para vet cadre. Keeping this in view, SIDART in association with BPCL organised a training course for developing the capacities of rural youth as veterinary managers so that the trained youth could provide the livestock extension services in their own village and also make it as a livelihood activity for themselves. The training is needed not only because the so trained youth will be able to earn livelihood for them but also it will help other poor villagers by enhancing access to quality livestock management services thereby preventing economic loss due to so far unaffordable services and resultant loss of livestock.

SIDART developed a need based training material in local language, Hindi, and adopted the course to suit to a heterogeneous group of youth from the village Nangal Govind. The course was designed in such a way that it catered to the needs of local population with utmost practical orientation. Thus SIDART conducted a 3 month’s theoretical and practical training programme in livestock management.

The village members were encouraged to identify 10 suitable youths ( at least 10th Class pass and above 21 year age) for the training programme. The training was provided at Dausa which is at 3-4 Km distance from Nangal Govind. The students visited the hospital for exposure and also came to help in suffering at Jaipur and Gaushala at Baggru and Sanganer.

The methodology involved more of hands on training in animal hygiene, feed and fodder management, common diseases and vaccination schedule, etc. Everyday (25 days in a month) there were 3 hours theory sessions and 1-2 hours practical training. The trainees were provided with a simple veterinary kit along with necessary literature after the programme so as to enable them to provide simple veterinary services in their native village and the help of local veterinary doctor whenever required. This way they were expected to serve the local farmers and also earn a livelihood for themselves