Port Blair, Oct. 25: In 2014, the Government initiated the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Program, which placed a strong emphasis on holistic development. An integral part of this comprehensive approach was the promotion of Animal Husbandry in the villages adopted under the program, with the goal of enhancing the economic and social empowerment of rural communities.

Bakultala Village, located in the North & Middle Andaman District, was one such village adopted under SAGY. Initially, the villagers' primary source of livelihood was agriculture. However, with the support of SAGY, they diversified into Animal Husbandry. During a specific year, within the program, the Animal Husbandry Department provided 7 improved large White Yorkshire Piglets, 170 Vanraja Chicks and 160 Ducklings to the farmers in Bakultala Village.

Apart from this, fodder cutting supplies were distributed to 7 farmers. The introduction of Animal Husbandry activities had a substantial positive impact on the income of the villagers, with piggery farming, in particular, emerging as a profitable enterprise.

As part of the SAGY program, villagers received training in Animal Husbandry practices through 5 short-term training sessions conducted right in their own village, making this knowledge more accessible. These newly acquired skills not only improved the quality of Animal Husbandry but also created employment opportunities within the village.

Furthermore, the SAGY program underscored the active involvement of women in rural development for income generation, contributing to the overall progress of the community.