Celebrating Women’s contribution to the economy of our country, The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying celebrated International women’s day on 8th March, 2021 through a virtual webinar by connecting with the women entrepreneurs/ women health workers/ women veterinarian and women Livestock farmers.
International Women’s Day which is celebrated every year on March 8, recognizing and appreciating women’s political, economic and social achievements over the decades. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy is celebrating International Women’s Day for past few years.
India being agriculture based country, livestock rearing is an integral component which is largely in the hands of women. Most of the livestock farming activities such as fodder collection, feeding, watering, and health care, management, artificial insemination, milking and household-level processing, value addition and marketing are performed by women. Women constitute about 69 % of workforce engaged in livestock sector. About 5.33 million women are members of dairy cooperative societies (DCS) and around 33,000 exclusive women dairy cooperatives societies have been formed across the country.
The event begun with the motivating message from Hon’ble Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Giriraj Singh, who underscored the incredible contribution of women workforce in making India the largest producer of milk with 198.4 million tonnes and also towards the backyard poultry production in his message.
The webinar session was chaired by Shri Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, AHD in graceful presence of Animal Husbandry Commissioner and all Joint Secretaries of the Department.
Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in his inaugural address highlighted the contribution of women to farm productivity through enhanced feed and fodder availability and backyard poultry. He also informed that the Department is implementing a number of schemes that provide financial assistance in form of loan and interest subvention to women farmers working in animal husbandry sector.
The event was organized under the guidance of Smt. Varsha Joshi, Joint Secretary (Cattle &Dairy Development) discussed threw light on the pivotal role of Animal Husbandry in women empowerment and financial independence. She mentioned that “40% of those say that their house, village &finances have seen a difference and feel empowered and respected”
Department made efforts to unite successful women entrepreneurs/ AI workers and veterinarians belonging to all sectors i.e. Dairy, Poultry, Small ruminant farming, animal welfare and from all the corners of the country. The highlight of the webinar was the one to one interaction with the all the women entrepreneurs/ AI workers and veterinarians belonging to all sectors where they narrated their success stories and how being involved in this sector has given them an identity. The interactive session was coordinated by Dr Lipi Sairiwal, Assistant Commissioner (Poultry/ AH), DAHD, GOI.
The entire webinar was webcast with all the State Animal Husbandry Departments, subordinate department institutes of the including Central Poultry development organizations, central cattle breeding farms, National Dairy Development Board, related milk Producer companies and all farmers from all areas of the country.
A speaker, Dr. Ranjana Sood, from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh opined on the popular Govt of India schemes related to poultry like Innovative Poultry Productivity Project- IPPP for Broilers and Low input technology and Rural backyard poultry development is popular among women poultry farmers who are earning around 50 to 60 thousands per month by adopting modern scientific practices. She also mentioned regarding the popularity of Kadaknath breed of poultry.
In the interaction a Goat rearer Pinki Didi, from Muzzafarpur, Bihar mentioned that how her Goat is her mini ATM.
Smt. Suman from Alwar, Rajasthan– mentioned that she has 77 cows and 20 buffaloes and targets for hitting century. Inspired by her, many members of the Milk Producer Companies are now having at least 5 cows. She said dairying is the best activity for women.
Smt. Ramshree, Malav MPC Madhya Pradesh, shared her experience, that initially she was supplying 4 lits milk to the MPC but now she is supplying 15 litres and earning Rs. 24,000 per month. Due to organised dairying, women have come out of ghoonghat and now also have their own bank account.
Madam Anjali Gopalan, an Animal activist, precisely mentioned that if we work for animals, we should care for their welfare.
Joint Secretary, National Livestock Mission, Dr O.P. Chaudhary, highlighted the opportunities and assistance provided for entrepreneurial activities by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and also thanked all the guests for sharing their experiences.
Summing up the webinar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner opined that women have contributed to all the sectors of animal husbandry i.e. dairy, poultry small ruminants etc.
The Vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Secretary (Admn.), Shri G.N. Singh who thanked all the guests for sharing their experiences.
The event was a huge success and was watched all across the country
