Sources: www.mapsfordesign.com

Source: ICSD Pictures

Innovations in Small Ruminant Value chain

Building on its work in the livestock sector in Andhra Pradesh, ICSD proposed apilot project to NABARD for improving livelihoods of the small rearer and the samewas approved.Implemented in Andhra Pradesh in two phases with the support ofNABARD and Zurich City, the project’s duration was from November 2009 to May2012.

Goals: In the small ruminant value chain, rearers do not benefit optimally due tothe presence of many intermediaries and losses at production. This being thecontext, the project was conceived an extension tool to promote scientific sheeprearing among traditional rearers showing the economic potentials. It increasingproductivity through higher weight gains, reducing losses by controlling diseasesand by improving linkages with the markets.

Interventions: The pilot project known as “Innovations in small ruminant valuechain”, implemented in two mandals of Mahabubnagar and Rangareddy districtsof Andhra Pradesh, started by mapping feeding practices of primary rearers. Basedon mapping exercise five rations were proposed with an objective to achieve 100grams weight gain per day. Twenty women members of Bommaraspet mandalwere provided five animals each and they systematically fed a particular type ofration to one animal during the pilot project period. Before starting feeding, thebeneficiaries were oriented to pilot project objectives and activities. The animalsthat were procured were insured under the supervision of a committee nominatedby MMS. Weight gain made by each sheep was recorded on every tenth day andthe data was subsequently analyzed at International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI), Hyderabad. Health services to all animals were provided by the AnimalHusbandry Department. A Review and Advisory Committee was also formed withmembers representing all partners and regular meetings were conducted to updateand review the project activities.

Achievements:

First Phase

The pilot project provided an opportunity for NABARD and Intercooperation toexperiment with field based innovations for improving the small ruminant valuechain. Some of the outcomes were:

∑a Higher productivity through supplementary feeding.

∑a Involvement of market players in the training programmes createdunderstanding between production and marketing systems.

∑a Good record keeping helped in gaining confidence of new buyers.

∑a System of regular weighing of animals created better awareness among rearerson performance of animals.

∑a Rearers confidence level in rearing and marketing of ram lambs has improved.∑a The rearers appreciated the transparency maintained by the project, especially

at the community level.

Source: ICSD Pictures

Second Phase outcomes:

∑a Strengthened 100 CIGs of Small ruminant holders (including training andcapacity building)

∑a Trainings conducted on health, breeding, management and marketing subjectsinvolving 106 CIGs (1000 rearers) and all 17 women.

∑a Training modules were prepared for rearers∑a Exposure trips were organized for 25 rearers to visit other areas on good

management practices

Project duration:

First Phase: November 2009 to December 2010 (Supported by NABARD)Second Phase: 1st September 2011 to 31st May, 2012 (Supported by Zurich City)

Partners:

Mandal Mahila Samakhya (MMS), Bommaraspet,Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), Society for HumanActivity for Rural Environment (SHARE), AP Sheep and Goat DevelopmentCooperative Federation, Andhra Pradesh Veterinary University, Rajendranagar

Donors:NABARD and Zurich City

Reports:

∑a Meat marketing in the small ruminant sector in Andhra Pradesh: Dynamics ofvalue chains and how small-scale rearers can benefit from them

∑a Phase end Report to NABARD on Innovations in Small Ruminant Value Chain∑a Case studies of Ramlambrearers