Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 26 October 2023
In 2014, the Government of India introduced the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Program, focusing on comprehensive development in rural areas. A vital component of this initiative aimed to promote Animal Husbandry in adopted villages, empowering rural communities economically and socially. Bakultala Village, situated in the North & Middle Andaman District, emerged as a success story of this program, as it diversified to animal husbandry, in addition to the agriculture, changing the lives of its residents.
Initially, Bakultala’s residents primarily relied on agriculture for their sustenance. However, with the support of SAGY, they ventured into Animal Husbandry, and during a specific year within the program, the Animal Husbandry Department provided the village with seven improved large White Yorkshire Piglets, 170 Vanraja Chicks, and 160 Ducklings to local farmers.
The introduction of Animal Husbandry activities had a substantial and positive impact on the income of Bakultala’s residents, with piggery farming, in particular, emerging as a profitable enterprise. The villagers received training in Animal Husbandry practices through five short-term training sessions conducted within their own village, making this knowledge more accessible. These newfound skills not only improved the quality of Animal Husbandry but also created employment opportunities within the community, further enhancing their economic prospects.
Additionally, the SAGY program highlighted the active involvement of women in rural development for income generation, thus contributing to the overall progress of the village. This comprehensive approach to development, with a strong focus on Animal Husbandry, has transformed Bakultala Village. (Information in this news was obtained from a Press Release)