Livestock Development From an Non Government Organization Perspective

Abstract

Crop livestock mixed farming is traditional in India. Livestock are not only complimentary and supplementary to crops but are a means of risk coverage and strongly linked with culture. Livestock development is now a major component in rural development programme in India particularly in rainfed underdeveloped areas. The paper describes the approach, perceptions and programmes of the BAIF, a non government organization (NGO), involved in rural development since the last 25 years. The BAIF programmes involve more than half a million farmers from five
states. The involvement is mostly in rainfed, underdeveloped areas. Livestock development has served very useful purpose as point of entry in rural areas and for initiation of development activities. The paper discusses experiences in Rajasthan, one of the states in which BAIF is involved since long. Participatory approach in livestock development necessitated modifications in training and extension programmes. The staff had also to be oriented for taking a systems approach and in gender sensitivity, since women involvement is critical for livestock production. The need to critically study traditional systems, farmer perceptions, indigenous knowledge and farmer wisdom are some of the other aspects discussed and emphasised in the paper. The livestock develeprnent centres enabled undertaking
total fanning systems study of the area and in planning future development activities in a participatory manner. A few examples of studies on some of the aspects referred above are cited and discussed.