By Jessie Levine | Field Evaluation Programme, GlobalGiving UK
West Bengal is a fertile region of India. Farmers in the villages around Kolkata and elsewhere rely on multiple sources of income throughout the year ranging from day-hire labor, rice paddy farming, and small fishing enterprises. Shivia and Shivia India provide the support for households living below the poverty line to earn a livelihood and gain needed funds for medical care, school tuition, and inputs to embark on new businesses.
In the Poultry Development Services Programe, households pay a nominal amount and receive 10 chicks, feed, and vaccinations. As the chicks grow to chickens households are able to sell the chickens or the eggs they produce for a profit. The success of the endeavor is the ongoing support the home farmers receive by Shivia’s Livelihood Service Providers (LSPs). The LSPs are hired individuals from the local village who personally deliver the chicks to the families, vaccinate the chickens, and train the home farmers on how to best raise and market the poultry once they are full grown. They support the home farmers to maximize profitability from the enterprise and reap the maximum benefits for the livelihood of their families. The LSPs work seven days a week and are on call by the farmers. This support in the launching of a backyard enterprise sets Shivia and Shivia India apart.
Bappaditya from Shivia’s Sundia location is a shining example. His success with the organization is astounding. Out of all of the poultry raised by the families in his district, there have been no chicken mortality – meaning no chick or chicken has died from disease or has been whisked away in the recent flooding this monsoon season. Throughout the organization no more than 4 out of 100 die, and his record is far above the average. He is a chicken surgeon as well and has operated on a chicken in order to keep it alive.
Cheers, Bappaditya!
Shivia, you and your team do indeed empower the poorest to create livelihoods, boost income and inspire permanent change.
In the UK - http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/projects/livelihood-development-for-400-rural-indians/
In the US - http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/livelihood-development-for-400-rural-indians/
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