A-HELP (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) or Pashu Sakhi (PS) Model : Empowerment of Rural Women Livestock Farmers
In order to leverage the SHG (Self-Help Groups) platform for rural economic growth through convergence, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 1st 2021. As per the MoU, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) will leverage the services of the members of Self-Help groups (SHGs) as livestock resource persons and primary service providers through a new accredited model named “A-HELP” (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production). This cadre can act as primary service providers, delivering 24/7 doorstep veterinary care, and improving access to animal health services. These agents maintain livestock records, and facilitate insurance, ear-tagging, and animal registration, promoting better disease management and traceability. They educate farmers on scientific health practices, sanitation, and nutrition, thereby reducing disease incidence and improving overall livestock health. Trained in first aid and minor veterinary practices, A-HELP can address minor ailments promptly, preventing escalation of health issues, and facilitating quality animal health and welfare by connecting with Mobile veterinary units. Additionally, their involvement in disease surveillance, outbreak management and ration balancing programs, supports preventive care and enhances productivity. By bridging the gap between farmers and veterinary services, A-HELP agents ensure timely intervention, contributing to healthier livestock populations and good welfare practices. A-HELP programme itself stands for women’s empowerment. It covers the empowerment of women through skill enhancement, adoption of new technologies, more social recognition through accreditation status, economic empowerment through gaining additional income by performing A-HELP roles and responsibilities and social empowerment as Local Resource Persons (LRPs) at farmers’ doorsteps. Besides they are also being supported by providing various tools to create an enabling environment during their field operations. So far, the A-HELP program launched in 15 States and training are ongoing at the field level.
Livestock is vital to the Indian economy as it has a wealth of livestock. A total of 20.5 million people rely on livestock for a living. Livestock provided 16% of small farm households’ income, compared to an average of 14% for all rural households. Around two thirds of rural communities depend upon livestock for a living. It also employs approximately 8.8% of India’s population. The livestock sector accounts for 5.1% of GDP during the year 2019-20 (NAS 2019).Diversification in farming with livestock rearing is a better option for the farmers to increase their income. The rural people receive various advantages by keeping small livestock as they serve as a source of earnings, an asset that can be cashed in times of emergency, a source of food (milk and meat), a source of medicine (milk), and as a gift during occasions. But proper maintenance and wellbeing of these animals are much needed as small animals are easily prone to diseases and have high chances of mortality if not well attended and taken care of. In villages, various problems like lack of timely treatment and veterinary first aids to the animals, doorstep veterinary healthcare, low feed availability, genetic degradation, seasonal stress, lack of reasonable pricing system of animals, unskillful trading, low use of technology etc. leads to economic as well social instability of the rural farmers which directly effects upon their livelihoods. Besides these, there is a wide gap of awareness and technical knowledge among the rural farmers regarding livestock farming. A gradual shift to feminization is seen in agriculture due to the migration of male farmers to urban areas in search for better source of income, rise of women-headed households and growth in the production of cash crops which are labour intensive in nature. It is widely accepted that women in the world are generally the caretaking heads of the children and elderly in the households. Women are capable of shaping the society and her education is very important to bring out development and sustainability in any community. Women workforce engagement can be seen in nearly every sector while their role is often not given much credit due to the suppression and inequality faced by them and their work treated as an extension of their household work which adds a dual burden of domestic responsibilities while they are dependent on male counterparts as a source of livelihood. Around 60 % of the labour force in agriculture is women and farm women have been considered as the backbone of Indian agriculture, traditionally handling the agricultural operations. Rural women are extensively involved in agricultural activities and do the most tedious back-breaking tasks in agriculture, animal husbandry and household work. In underdeveloped and developing countries like India, rearing of small livestock is a crucial income source for the resource poor rural people and a potential livelihood source for the women in rural areas. To improve the livestock rearing conditions various livestock extension services are prevailing but are unable to make significant difference in the farming situations due to lacunas in the extension delivery systems such as the fewer number of trained youth personnel for the more farmers in villages where they provides services as a consequence of which they generally focused on treatment, mostly on large animals, rather than preventive practices and awareness building. Due to competing interests, small livestock and poor farmers were neglected. The high expense of travel led in the disregard of close monitoring and first aid treatment, which was not profitable for the youths in itself. The trained youth, who were mostly men, had a social and psychological barrier in reaching out to women who took care of the livestock in the village.To overcome these challenges an alternative livestock extension service was required and the model of Pashu Sakhis has been beneficial for improving the deficient livestock rearing system in rural areas as well as empowering the rural women from the grass root level and thereby enhancing their socio-economic and livelihood conditions.
Pashu Sakhi is a Community Animal care Service Provider (CASP) which will enable the last mile coverage in rural areas where clinical services for livestock is not available on time or expensive to afford for rural poor. Pashu Sakhi is envisaged to create awareness and capacity building of the community on livestock based livelihoods activities and facilitates aggregation and marketing of the livestock products. (Reference: Advisory Note on Livelihood Strategy for MKSP under National Rural Livelihoods Mission). Pashu Sakhi is not an employee of ASRLMS, they are Community Agriculture care Service Provider (CASP) selected by VO/CLF. For sustainable livestock based livelihoods at SHGs/household level, Pashu sakhi model has proved to be useful and fruitful. A pool of identified Pashu Sakhi shall provide the basic technical support/treatment to the rural livestock rearer. Pashu Sakhis will be developed through structured training programmes by the livestock experts conducted by ASRLMS. They will act as medium of interface between Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and rural poor by linking the HHs to the nearest Veterinary aid centre at the time of need.
Who are Pashu Sakhis?
Ajeevika Pashu Sakhis are the local community service providers or livestock friends locally known as doctor didi, providing their doorsteps services to around 50-100 livestock farmers within their village. Their services include advancing inputs, creating awareness related to livestock, giving advice regarding breeding, feeding and animal health, assistance in shed construction, training of local farmers, risk mitigation and market linkages etc. These women are selected by the community and their roles and duties are explained by involving their family members and community heads to gain their support and confidence. A participatory training process is provided generally to the semi-literate women of the village to enhance their skills, knowledge and attitude to work as a Pashu Sakhi.
Objective: The objective of this model is to make livestock based livelihoods sustainable and viable enterprises for the rural poor. There will be specific focus on the ultra poor households who have limited or no access to land or other factors of production. It would build a strong extension network of livestock workers who are the community based practitioners and are accountable to the community institutions. The model would aim at strengthening the existing livelihoods of the rural poor by bringing in a clear impetus on livestock related activities.
Eligibility Criteria for Pashu Sakhi: 1. She should be a native and residing in the same GP (Member from women SHG). .2. The age of the Pashu Sakhi should be between 20-45 Years. .3. She should be a good livestock (Small ruminants and poultry) rearer of the GP at least having 1-2 cattle and/or 2-3 sheep/goat and/or 2-3 pigs and/or ten poultry birds with him/her and having basic knowledge on Animal Husbandry. .4. She should have functional knowledge of writing and reading of local language. She should be minimum class 8th Pass, however higher educational qualification and knowledge of writing and reading of English language will be preferred. .5. She should have a good and hygienic livestock housing system. 3.6. She must be in a position of differentiating healthy and sick livestock.
Selection criteria for Pashu Sakhi:
Process of Selection: Village Organisation with the help of its livelihoods sub-committee will aware the concept of Pashu Sakhi among the villagers. The Pashu Sakhi identification process will be done at the VO level by the Livelihoods Sub-committee where BPM/BC will be facilitator of the team. VO will organise a meeting on identification of Pashu Sakhi and the livelihoods committee along with President and Secretary of the VO will conduct the identification process. The local Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS)/Extension Officer-Veterinary/his representative may be invited in the meeting. The panel of member’s of livelihoods Sub-committee in consultation of BPM, President/Secretary of the concerned VO and along with the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS)/Extension Officer-Veterinary/his representative will select the Pashu Sakhi for the said area based on interview/written test. At present, one (1) Pashu Sakhi per 50 mahila kishan will be selected. After completion of selection process, VO/CLF will send the detail profile of the selected pashu sakhi to BMMU for record and uploading the data in MIS.
- Farm woman from the same or adjacent village where the service is to be provided to enable timely services and follow ups.
- · She should at least be able to read and write.
- · Should own animals and other resources for proper livestock intervention and demonstration.
- · Interested and willing to adopt her own animal husbandry as demonstration site.
- · Has a positive attitude with leadership qualities to learn new things and listen to others.
- · Her family members should support her work.
- · Should be ready to invest needed time for the community work.
Functions of a Pashu Sakhi:
- Providing veterinary first aid service on the farmer’s doorstep.
- · Focus mainly on small ruminants like goats, pigs and poultry.
- · Regular monitoring and data recording on disease spread.
- · Focus on delivering critical knowledge and demonstration regarding the prevention of diseases, suggest improved practices and management of animal rearing.
- · Technology demonstration in her own house for her fellow group members to see results.
- · Engages in activities like deworming, vaccination, organizing animal health camps, wheat straw urea treatment, azolla pit installation, mineral brick preparation, input sale to animal rearers so that they can buy and feed animals.
- · Comprehensive support for productivity enhancement, improving access to markets, training farmer’s risk reduction through insurance.
Roles and responsibility of Pashu Sakhi :
The intention of creating Pashu Sakhi is to guide the poor households technically and bridge the gap between Veterinarian & livestock households.
- To collect necessary information of each individual farmer/producer Group member and update the data on number of livestock at HH level, nearest veterinary aid centres and practitioners.
- To prepare monthly activity plan for livestock interventions.
- Provide Technical assistance to the livestock based HHs.
- Disseminate knowledge and information on improved practices to the animal grower
- To demonstrate various steps of the improved practices, feed and fodder program and treatment.
- Ensure timely vaccination to the livestock within the assigned areas.
- Actively participate for de-worming and vitamin and mineral supplementation program of the available livestock of the assigned areas.
- Identify the breed able livestock and breed them effectively.
- Ensure the Artificial Insemination Practice (AI) in animals.
- Introduce weaning practice.
- Maintain breeding male for mating and creating awareness among the farmers for practice of rotation of breeding male among the village.
- Ensure the Castration of male animals at right and post care.
- Guide on feed and fodder program to the producers Guide the HHs on best nutritional practices of the resource available.
- Motivating the farmers for developing fodder area for the livestock of the village
- Educate the producers on captive and rotational field feeding
- Aggregation/identification of the animals for marketing in seasonal condition
- Monitoring of marketable products and market linkage
- To ensure insurance coverage of the individual livestock.
- To ensure monthly meeting of the livestock producer group.
- All the day to day activities need to be recorded in the prescribed diary and time to time reporting of the activities as and when required by the VO at present (later to Producer Group).
- Any other assignment periodically assigned by the livestock Producer Group/ VO / CLF / BMMUofficials at present (later to Producer Group).
- Report to the nearest Veterinary Aid Centre in case of emergency, other necessity or any casualty.
Area of operation: Initially, for better implementation of the activities and sustainability of the Pashu Sakhi a minimum of 500 small ruminants/small animals and 1000 poultry stock has to be monitored under her within assigned areas.
Capacity building and exposure to the Pashu Sakhi:
Pashu Sakhi are to be trained enough on good rearing, housing, nutrition, breeding, disease control, vaccination and marketing activities. H/She will also organize the training programs for the stakeholders with the help of resource persons of the line department as and when required. They can directly support the HHs on Animal Husbandry practices, Veterinary first aid and help to bridge between the veterinary experts. The training of the Pashu Sakhi will be conducted in phase manner at various levels by the resource persons.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Work done of Pashu Sakhi will be on the basis of assistance given to members of Livestock Producer group /animal attendant.
- All the day to day activities need to be recorded in the prescribed diary and should be signed by the member of Livestock Producer group whom she has assisted or whose animal has been treated. Consolidated report of work done should be submitted to VO for the release of payments.
- VO will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the work done by Pashu Sakhi. Time to time reporting of the activities should be done as and when required by the VO at present (later to Producer Group).
- Minimum days of visit should be twenty (20) and households to be contacted are 50 numbers per month
Rural women empowerment through APS Model
Pashu sakhi model has not only upgraded the livestock rearing conditions in the villages with improved knowledge, technology adoption and better management practices among the farmers but has also helped these Pashu Sakhis in gaining respect among their communities. Majority of the farmers have small and marginal land holdings in the country owning less than one hectare of land and practices subsistence farming, leading to poor income and lack of opportunities for commercial farming. Animal husbandry has the prospects to help these farmers with their earnings round the year. To boost the non-scientific and low income animal rearing situation prevailing in the rural areas, Pashu Sakhi model has come out as a better way of technology dissemination among the farmers. This gender sensitive decentralized extension model has given working opportunity to the society-stricken rural women who are burdened with the household works with additional farming chores and have low social status in their community due to the social norms. Farm women with a basic level literacy can become a Pashu Sakhi through proper technical training programme and skill development. Their capacity building is a solution oriented method to improve the livestock productivity and market access to the farmers as well as empowering these women entrepreneurs selling their services and inputs, earning an income, supporting their family finances and gaining respect in their communities. In many parts of India, women in the villages are wedded at an early age and do not get a chance to complete their education ending up as housewives which has an impact on their personal growth. Pashu Sakhi model enables these women to gain their own identification, independence as well as respect in their community. This model was initiated in early 2000’s and presently there are more than 15000 Pashu Sakhis across the country. It is adopted in many states, and through projects and agencies but with some modifications in their approach, orientation and roles of these Pashu sakhis. In India majorly three models exists which provide livestock services to the farmers i.e. Traditional model (government veterinary services), Standard model and JOHAR model. In a standard model of Pashu Sakhi the Field coordinators, Livestock assistants and Subject Matter Specialists of the organizations are involved in supporting the pashu sakhis. This alternative innovative extension model has been beneficial in providing grass root level livestock related services, inputs and information in a gender sensitive decentralized technology transfer system.
Ending up as housewives which has an impact on their personal growth. Pashu Sakhi model enables these women to gain their own identification, independence as well as respect in their community. This model was initiated in early 2000’s and presently there are more than 15000 Pashu Sakhis across the country. It is adopted in many states, and through projects and agencies but with some modifications in their approach, orientation and roles of these Pashu sakhis. In India majorly three models exists which provide livestock services to the farmers i.e. Traditional model (government veterinary services), Standard model and JOHAR model. In a standard model of Pashu Sakhi the Field coordinators, Livestock assistants and Subject Matter Specialists of the organizations are involved in supporting the pashu sakhis. This alternative innovative extension model has been beneficial in providing grass root level livestock related services, inputs and information in a gender sensitive decentralized technology transfer system.
The Pashu Sakhis provides extension and input delivery to the farm families at their doorsteps within the village. She is supervised by the Field Coordinator Livestock (FCL) who is responsible for supervising Pashu Sakhis. And the FCLs are coordinated by the Livestock Assistants (LSA) at district level who are guided by the SMS, consultants and team leaders of www.justagriculture.in Page6 the partner organisations like KVKs, ATMA, NGOs like PRADAN, IBTADA, SRIJAN, Saheli Samiti etc.
Status of Pashu Sakhi model in India
Many states adopted this model for grass root level technology delivery and has been receiving good response from their beneficiaries. Rajasthan: A study was implemented to understand the effectiveness of pashu sakhis in majorly four districts i.e. Alwar, Dholpur, Tonk and Dausathe (Ponnusamy et al., 2016). Pashu sakhis demonstrated their work in delivering services, carrying out trainings at village level, organized meeting twice a month and communicated knowledge related to livestocks. Their clients were found to successfully adopt improved practices like modifying their manger for feeding their animals efficiently which helped in waste reduction, artificial insemination, balanced feeding, clean milk production, deworming, milk product preparation, fodder cultivation etc. Major awareness was observed on the deworming of animals. Calf mortality was reduced and milk and milk products were procured and sold with higher profits with the help of NGOs. This not only helped their clients but also established empowerment among the pashu sakhis as they were able to exhibit their views confidently in the trainings and meetings. After joining the SHGs remarkable change was seen in their behavior and decision making in their families. They felt more independent, strong headed, reduced veils and travelled more to gain information and even intended to wed their daughters only after they had finished college. As compared to past identification by their husbands’ names, now they were identified by their own names which gave them confidence and a better way of life. Maharashtra: A field assessment study in Gondia, Maharashtra revealed that goat farming families have increased their knowledge, technology adoption and improved risk management practices. As a result, goat farmers have been able to negotiate higher prices for their goats and bucks. Pashu Sakhis supplemented their increased income by improving their goat rearing skills and inputs. By working as a pashu sakhis, these women acquired recognition in the household and in the community and also contributed to the family finances. They were being recognized in society as vital service providers. Men’s attitudes about women, particularly those from upper castes, shifted significantly for the better. Pashu Sakhis are now addressed with more respect and affection, with people occasionally referring to them as “doctor didi” boosting their morale and willingness for the community work.
Jharkhand: The Pashu sakhi model in JOHAR (Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth) is considered to be the country’s first accredited and potentially most extensive and sustainable model. According to project data, the services provided by Pashu sakhi lowered cattle mortality, which was as higher prior to JOHAR. Master Trainer pashu sakhis were specially trained as trainers and get certified through ASCI (Agriculture Skill Council of India) provided coaching and support in the selection of Pashu sakhis. The advantages of ASCI certification offers a technique to regulate the skill level of Pashu sakhis across the nation and professionalize them and qualifies them to operate anywhere in India as the highest quality professional trainers. More than 1000 women were trained, accredited and equipped through this programme. A remarkable growth in the marketable surplus of meat and eggs with profit for goat, layers, dual purpose poultry (Kuroiler) and pigs was also witnessed.
JOHAR
JOHAR is an ambitious project, under which work is being done to increase the quality of income of rural households by connecting them into producer groups and companies through activities like advanced farming, animal husbandry, fisheries, irrigation, minor forest produce etc. Through this project, the target is to double the income of 2 lakh families of the state by connecting them to various sources of livelihood.
The project will also demonstrate resilient technologies for improving productivity and reducing climate risk in paddy, promote community-based micro-irrigation and support the producer groups to move into value added sectors like livestock, fisheries, and non-timber forest produce.
Major Components
- Farmers are being encouraged and trained for improved cultivation of vegetables, fruits and pulses.
- To improve irrigation system lift irrigation, mobile solar irrigation is being promoted.
- Animal Husbandry: Women of producer groups are being linked to traditional means of livelihood like poultry, goat rearing, pig farming, egg production and modern techniques and training are being given to them.
- Fishery: Technical training is provided to rural families, they are being encouraged by providing seeds, feed and nets.
- Minor Forest Produce: Under this component, collection, and processing of forest produce products like lac, lemon grass, moringa, Tulsi etc.
- Market: Producer companies have been formed through which the farmers belonging to the producer group are being encouraged to do collective sales and are being directly linked to the big markets. The mass sale by the producer company has left the middlemen, while the farmers are getting a fair price for their produce.
- Skill Certification- Under an innovative initiative,a skill certificate is being given by Agriculture Skill Council of India to Pashu Sakhi/Krishak Mitra/Vanopaj Mitra and other cadres after training.
Challenges faced
In spite of its success and acceptance in many states, this model has some drawbacks which had lead many women to opt out from their role as a Pashu sakhi. These women had to travel from district or block level offices to their client’s houses in the villages which make it a tiring job for them in a regular basis apart from their household responsibilities. Also, many times they do not get full support from their family members. The remuneration from their job is also not alluring enough to keep them motivated. Besides, they are unable to provide enough time care for their farm and families. These challenges experienced by them needs to be solved for the sustainability of this women empowerment model among the rural women.
Way Forward
The social capital that has promoted the model has been the most significant and crucial factor in the success of this organizational form. There is a necessity to increase the interaction between the various participants in technology transfer to make this model more effective. Efforts must be made by different agencies to increase the income of the Pashu sakhis to promote the entrepreneurial spirit among the rural farm women. Regular training and evaluation methods must be done to focus more on economic benefits of farmers rather than just daily time devotion. Women are the most valuable resource for balancing rural, social, and capital assets, and livestock farming provides a platform for this development. The Pasu Sakhi Model is a worthwhile strategy to bringing about a revolution through livestock farming that targets families at the bottom of the social pyramid. Pasu Sakhi establishes strong relationships with development departments and this approach needs to be scaled out across the country in order to meet the skill demands in the animal husbandry industry and sustain livestock operations in the long run in order to empower the socioeconomic status of resource-poor rural women.
