The Sunderban is ecologically fragile having frequent anthropogenic interferences within the forests. These populations mainly consist of marginal farmers and fishermen who are entirely dependent on the natural resources of the area including mangroves. The agricultural activities practiced in the Sundarban are complex, diverse as well as risk-prone. Paddy monoculture dominates the entire landscape along with small pockets of seasonal vegetables and oilseeds. Growing salt-tolerant varieties of rice is the only option left in most of the areas. Honey and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) collection is another livelihood practice. A considerable number of people in the forest-fringe areas of Sundarban earn their livelihood from honey and wax procurement as well as from other NTFP collections. Every year, especially in the months of April-May, hundreds of people with or without valid permits issued by the Forest Department enter the reserved forests to collect honey and wax. Many of them are killed by tigers in the wild in this process. Moreover, the primary honey collectors or ‘Moulis’ do not get sufficient payments for such life-risking efforts when compared to the final market prices of these products. Considering all these aspects, this project aims to provide supplementary livelihood options through Backyard Poultry Farming (BYPF) to the marginal farmers, especially the rural women which is characterized by rearing chicken in small numbers (15-20) by each household in the backyards under a free-range system. The birds are allowed for foraging during the daytime while at night they are provided with shelter which is made of locally available low-cost materials. The chicks will start giving them returns 6-8 months onwards.
Project Objective:
a) To create an avenue for income generation among women in the Sundarban
b) To shift the women of Sundarban from wild honey collection by providing alternative and assured income
c) To provide life-threat free occupation to the women
d) Increase in employability of women
e) Women empowerment
Project Outcome:
40% of the women shifted their livelihood practice from juvenile catch of shrimp to BYPF
40% BFIGs involved in selling of eggs and meat through the linkage of an organised value chain within or outside the islands
20-30% increase in the income level of the target beneficiaries
75% of them continue the activity to get substantial income
40% of women adopted better management practice, leading to free range eggs and meat production
Project Location:
Malekanghumti village of Gobindakati Gram Panchayat, Hingalganj Block, North 24 Parganas district
Chhoto Mollakhali village of Chhoto Mollakhali Gram Panchayat, Gosaba Block of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
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