Livestock farming was once a dreaded livelihood idea in the small village of Banjhi Kusum. But when a handful of women were armed with the necessary skills and resources, they did not chicken out. Instead, they turned livestock farming into a sustainable enterprise.
The quaint village of Banjhi Kusum, nestled in Chakradharpur block of Jharkhand, is at the genesis of a silent revolution. A group of remarkable women in the village have turned livestock farming into a thriving livelihood and are rewriting the development narrative of their small, agrarian community.
Sona Mai, a 35-year-old resident of Banjhi Kusum, had always struggled to keep alive the handful of chickens and ducks she raised for her family’s consumption. The high mortality rate of the livestock was her biggest challenge.
She could never believe that livestock farming could generate a steady source of income for her. Until it did.
Things changed when she hesitantly underwent an intensive training programme where she learnt how to make herbal medicines and prepare organic feed for the chickens. She also learnt a multitude of techniques to keep the chickens healthy. In a matter of months her small flock saw an impressive growth and she even began to sell eggs and poultry in the local market. In the last six months she has managed to earn Rs 40,000, way more than what she could earlier manage from subsistence farming.
Her newfound economic independence brought in not just material gains but also a deep sense of pride and self-worth. “I’ve proved to myself and to my children that we can indeed build a better future for ourselves,” Mai, a mother of three, told Village Square.
Several other women in Banjhi Kusum were facing the same struggle as Mai. Livestock mortality rates were alarmingly high in the village due to lack of veterinary care, poor feed quality, and unscientific rearing methods. Relying on livestock farming for one’s livelihood was considered anything but prudent.
So, the journey of these women to become self-reliant entrepreneurs is remarkable. It highlights the transformative power of collective action and targeted interventions at the grassroots level by organisations like PRADAN and JIVA, a National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) programme supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. While the former provided on-ground training, the latter supported the programme financially and gave a vision for sustainable development.
The two collaborated and launched a pilot programme involving 20 families from Banjhi Kusum in the middle of 2024. Each family, led mostly by women, was provided with a batch of indigenous chickens, ducks, or goats. The women were trained to prepare organic feed and herbal veterinary medicines using locally available resources. It not only reduced dependency on expensive veterinary drugs but also ensured the livestock received nutritious feed without straining the household finances.
“Initially we focused on building the confidence of the women. We wanted them to see the economic potential of livestock farming while ensuring they had the skills to succeed,” says Nishu Nishant, a team lead at PRADAN.
The pilot has been highly successful in honing the entrepreneurial streak of the women participants.
35-year-old Geeta Diggi had always harboured the dream of running a poultry farm, but she lacked the knowledge and resources to realise her vision. Moreover, diseases often decimated her flock, leaving her demotivated.
As part of the pilot, Diggi received training in disease management, indigenous breed rearing, and organic farming techniques.The local FPOs played a pivotal role in ensuring she could access the markets for her poultry and essential supplies.
Today, Diggi manages a flock of over 80 indigenous chickens, known for their hardiness and high market value. The programme has helped her earn Rs 50,000 in the last six months and now she dreams of expanding her business further.
“I never thought I’d be able to do something like this. Today, I’m not just a farmer. I’m a businesswoman,” she says nonchalantly.
Like Diggi, 33-year-old Sunita Champia was quick to spot a market demand for affordable, high-quality organic feed for the livestock. She began producing the feed using inexpensive, locally-sourced ingredients. The local FPO also supported her with a packing machine and packaging materials to market her brand effectively.
“Who would’ve thought that making poultry feed could become a viable business,” Champia asks laughably. “By selling my poultry feed in nearby villages through the FPOs, I have been able to earn Rs 20,000 in the last six months. I am also training other women for the same,” she adds.
Her initiative has not only improved the quality of livestock feed available locally but also reduced the cost burden on other farmers.
“Our focus has always been on empowering communities to sustain their own growth. By equipping these women with skills and resources, we’ve not only improved their incomes but also set a foundation for long-term change,” says Nishant.
Inspired by the achievements of women like Diggi and Champia, more villagers are embracing livestock farming as a viable livelihood option.
Seeing these women succeed has changed how we think about farming. They’ve shown us that with the right support, even small-scale efforts can grow into something big
says Ram Singh, a farmer from the village.
Banjhi Kusum indeed serves as a shining example of how women-led initiatives can drive sustainable development in rural India.
The lead image on top shows Sona Mai, who managed to earn approximately Rs 40,000 in the last six months through livestock farming, gaining economic independence and fostering optimism for her future. (Photo by Monika Marandi)
Monika Marandi is an independent journalist based in Delhi.
