ON ENHANCING LIVELIHOOD OF MIZO WOMEN THROUGH IMPROVED PIG PRODUCTION IN KOLASIB DISTRICT

1ST QUARTERLY NARRATIVE REPORT

NAVAJBAI RATAN TATA TRUST UNDER THE NORTH EAST INITIATIVES

1|Page

CONTENTS

Page No.

Introduction Project Area and Partners Objectives and Aim Specific activity progress Funds mobilization strategy and details Future Action Plan for new quarter

3 3-4 4-5 5-9 10 10-11

2|Page

Introduction:
A project title on Enhancing Livelihood of Mizo Women through Improved Pig Production in Kolasib District supported by Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust was started on 1st March, 2013 and will be ended on 29th February, 2016 and the amount of grant assistance of Rs. 3,016,000/- was sanctioned for this project for the entire period of three years. The project was approved with Grant ID.RLC-NEI-OD-20130211and the first installment amount of Rs. 10, 00,000/(Rupees ten lakhs only) was released on dated 4th June, 2013. Open Doors and the communities gave heartfelt thanks to Sir Ratan Tata Trust and NavajbaiRatan Tata Trust for their tremendous support for livelihood improvement for the Mizo women. The dedicated Team members of North East Initiatives who are cooperative and dutiful, their guidance, support and suggestions in each and every step of the activities for the success of the project are beyond mentioned. Open Doors also gratefully acknowledged the helpful cooperation from the village leaders, Mizoram Rural Bank, Chanmari Branch, Aizawl, KVK, Kolasib, AH and Vety Department, Kolasib and NABARD, R.O., Aizawl.

Project Area and Partners:The project has been implemented at four villages in Kolasib
District, namely: Serkhan: Serkhan village lies under Tlangnuam Block, Kolasib District and is 26 kilometres from the state capital Aizawl with 167 households with 672 ST populationsout of the total population of 802. Since the beginning of the project, Open Doors is working closely with the village council, Mizoram Upa Pawl (Mizoram Elders Association) and MHIP (Mizo Women Association) for formation of SHGs, selection of women farmers and taking steps together to achieve the project goals and objectives.

Nisapui: It is situated under Tlangnuam Block, Kolasib Districtconsisting of 181 households with total population of 822 among which 794 belong to ST population and is 30 kms away from Aizawl. Open Doors team received a huge positive response and concern about the development of the project from the Village Council and MHIP

Thingdawl: Thingdawl village, 80 kms away from Aizawl lies under Thingdawl Block, Kolasib with 688 Households consisting of 3045 ST population out of the total population of 3111. Positive response and concern of the MHIP and the Village Council is nurturing the

project in a positive direction. 3|Page

Kolasib (Khuangpuilam): Kolasib, the district capital of Kolasib District is situated under Thingdawl Block and is 85 kms from Aizawl having 83955 populations out of which ST population is 73609 and the total number of 17270 households.The Village Council and YMAs prosperous participation is tremendously helpful for the smooth functioning of the project.

Objectives and Aim:

The community based pig breeding project of Open Doors-NRTT livelihood initiative is intended to address the basic problems that hindrances the present productivity and profitability of piggery in 4 villages of Kolasib District viz. Kolasib (Khuangpuilam), Thingdawl, Serkhan and Nisapui. Specific interventions are required to upgrade and enhance the pig production as identified from the results of the baseline survey conducted during May-June, 2013. The following objectives were drawn outfrom the results of the baseline survey to tackle the various constraints faced by the farmers. Production of better quality piglets Capacity building for the farmers for improved management of pigs Improve housing system to improve pigs health, better hygiene and production Better utilization and feeding practices of available non-conventional feed ingredients Extension service delivery for pig disease prevention and control Objective 1: Production of better quality piglets a) Considering rate of 5% mortality, if 97 sows out of 102 sows produce 30 piglets (5 gestations X 6 piglets taking into account an approximate value of 10% pre weaning mortality) then the project is expected to produce 2910 piglets at the end of the project duration. b) To propagate 485 times (97 sows X 5 times) from 8 breeding boars at the rate of 97services in the 1st year, 194 in the 2nd year, and 194 in the 3rd year respectively considering 20 services per boar per annum. Objective 2: Capacity building for the farmers for improved management of pigs a) Training on Care and Management of breeding Sows for selected Households (1 training per village)
b) Seminars / Workshops on Care & Management of Pigs (1 per village) c) Training on care & management of pregnant sow (1 per village) d) Training on feed, care & management of new born piglets (1 per village)

4|Page

 Objective 3: Better utilization and feeding practices of available non-conventional feed ingredients a) To enhance growth rate b) To reduce feed cost c) To reduce felling of trees used for cooking pig feed. Objective 4: Improve housing system to improve pigs health, better hygiene and production a) To improve productivity in terms of growth rate and litter size as a result of minimizing on farm sub-clinical infections and parasitic infestations. Objective 5: Extension service delivery for pig disease prevention and control a) To achieve survivability of vaccinated pigs in the event of CSF outbreaks.

Specific activity progress:

Recruitment of personnel: Job advertisement was displayed at the popular local newspaper Vanglaini and personal interview was conducted with the panel members from Governing Body of Open Doors. The Governing Body selected 1 project coordinator, 1 Field Supervisor and 1 accountant to look after the project. 4 local service providers were also appointed at 4 villages Formation and strengthening of farmers club/SHGs: Meeting with the local womenfolk was organised, discussing with them the nature and functions of SHG and motivated them to form SHG. A total of 26 SHGs were with altogether 145 members (5-10 members in a group) and opened saving bank account and smoothly functioning till date.

Fig 1: Women come together as SHG

5|Page

Baseline survey: The baseline survey was conducted among 55 households at 4 villagesKolasib, Thingdawl, Nisapui and Serkhan under Kolasib District. The survey format was designed to capture the experiences and perceptions of farmers/beneficiaries on the present pig rearing including pig health, management practice, feeding practice etc.

Procurement of equipment for project: Purchase of equipment such as 1 desktop computer, 1 printer and 1 UPS inverter power back up was done as per the procurement policy of the Open Doors to be used for documentation and other administrative works. Community Sensitization Workshop (CSW): Two days hands-on training programme on scientific management of pigs was organized on all the four project villages, as preparation of farmers for the project in collaboration with Central Agricultural University, College of Veterinary sciences & Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl during 29th January to 2nd February, 2013. Twenty farmers from Serkhan, Thingdawl, Nisapui and Kolasib participated in the training programme. The farmers were given basic training on feeding, reproduction, disease management of swine so as to provide awareness among them in scientific pig husbandry practices. Community sensitization Workshop was organized once in each village including community leaders to give sensitization and awareness on the project objectives, goals, responsibilities and expectation. Lecture on General Pig Husbandry was given by Dr. James Lalthansanga, the field Officer of SRTT in which the topics included Selection of piglets for sow and boar, Housing and construction of pigsties, Common diseases of pigs encountered in Mizoram, Importance of managemental practices in pig breeding etc. PowerPoint Slideshows projected with an Overhead Projector was used as a visual aid during the lecture. Learning, interaction and sharing of experiences tremendously helped the farmers for their construction of pigsties, selection of piglets, etc. and booklet/paper on pig breeding prepared by CAU, Selesih were distributed to the farmers.

6|Page

Fig 2: Farmers paid attention to Dr. James Lalthansanga, Field Officer at Community Sensitization Workshop

Transportation of materials: Pigsty construction materials such as CGI sheet, cement and sand were purchased and materials were transported to the villages. In each village either the President of the Village Council or President of YMA distributed the materials to the farmers.

Fig. 3: Construction materials transported to the village

7|Page

Fig.4: Farmers received materials from VCP

Fig. 5: Woman engaged in pigsty construction

Construction of pigsty: The pigsty construction design was distributed to all selected farmers for better understanding of the pigsty construction. The farmers were facilitated to construct improved pigsty for 2 pigs with a specification of 64 sqft to accommodate 1 pig. The farmers also contributed materials such as iron nails and revit, timber, etc including labour charge for leveling of land and construction of pigsty. At least 75% of the farmers completed construction of pigsty.

Fig 6: LSP visited measuring the pigsty during construction

8|Page

Fig. 7: Farmer with her old pigsty

Fig. 8: Farmer with her new pigsty

Purchase of piglets and distribution of piglets to the selected farmers: Based on the breed performance and

community

preference,

breeding

stock was purchased from private breeders in other villages.

Purchase of 55 piglets with 2-3 months old breeding stock

consisting 51 female pig and 4 male pigs was done. All the piglets were of large black Hampshire and Yorkshire variety. Among 55 piglets, 20 piglets were purchased from the farmers of the previous project supported Fig.9: Enquiring and purchase of piglets by NRTT at Bilkhawthlir. Piglets were randomly distributed to the farmers based on lottery system.

9|Page

Funds mobilization strategy and details:

Open Doors had submitted project proposal to NABARD requesting for financial support for the purpose of introducing scientific ensilage technology as a sustainable source of feeding farm animals during lean period. The activities will include conducting capacity building trainings for the farmers on management of pig farms and economic, support and strengthen the local service providers for constant monitoring and extension materials for the farmers. OD also requested the officials of KVK, Kolasib to kindly provide technical support in terms of conducting training for the farmers After discussion with Dean, CAU, Selesih, the faculty from the University are open to conducting animal health camps at the selected villages. Similarly, the office of AH &Vety, Kolasib are also requested to provide technical support at various stages of the projects.

Future Action Plan for new quarter as per approved AWP: Activities Completion Date

Piglets will be insured once the piglets were kept in the August, 2013 pigsty Signage will be prepared mentioning the name of the July, 2013 supporting agency and display on each pigsty Concentrated feed will be purchased and distributed to the farmers for six month duration Land development for growing of pig feed such as sweet September, 2013 potato, tapioca, etc. Construction of 1 silo pit in each village with the November,2013 December, 2013 support of NABARD Training and demonstration on ensilage technology to November,2013 December, 2013 the farmers in each village with the support of NABARD

August, 2013- January, 2014

Vaccination kits will be purchased for vaccinating pigs July- August, 2013 to prevent pigs from swine fever Swine fever vaccine will be purchased to vaccinate pig July- August, 2013 to prevent from swine fever

10 | P a g e

Purchase and distribution of anthelmintic to the farmers August- February, 2013 to prevent pigs from worm infestation Purchase and distribution of mineral mixture to the August- February, 2013 farmers to increase growth rate and improve overall health

4 LSPs will be given training on pig management in collaboration with KVK, Mamit and AHVD

October, 2013

Extensions materials will be developed, printed and October- November, 2013 identify the place to display and store extension and communication materials in each village.

1 time training on record keeping and documentation will be given to the 8 SHGs in the 4 villages for better performance of SHGs

September, 2013

The project personnel will liaise with the concern March, 2013 February, 2014 departments at the district and state level for resource mobilization for strengthening of the project.

OD team will carry out regular monitoring of the March, 2013 February, 2014 projectat their level best for the success of the project.

(LALROKIMI PAUTU) Project Coordinator Open Doors

11 | P a g e