Patna: Jeevika on Tuesday launched Project Dhenu Dhara, a two-year initiative aimed at increasing dairy productivity and incomes of small and marginal farmers through better animal nutrition, healthcare and community-based livestock services. A launch workshop was also organised in Patna, where senior representatives of Jeevika and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) discussed the project framework and implementation plan.The project, launched in collaboration with Aga Khan Foundation, will initially be implemented in Nalanda and Muzaffarpur districts and is expected to cover around 20,000 dairy farmers through 200 trained women pashu sakhis.Jeevika director (enterprise) Vinay Kumar Rai said the initiative would seek to increase the productivity and incomes of small and marginal dairy farmers while strengthening community-based livestock services. “By combining Jeevika’s extensive community network with the technical expertise of Aga Khan Foundation, we aim to develop an effective and sustainable model,” he said.According to the official communique from the rural development department, the project has set a target of increasing milk production by up to 10% and incomes of small dairy farmers by up to 20%. It will promote scientific and locally relevant livestock management practices, including the Ration Balancing Programme (RBP) and Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM).With technical support from National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the initiative will focus on improving animal nutrition and health management, reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics and shortening the dry period of dairy animals.Under the project, trained pashu sakhis will provide farmers with support on animal nutrition, ration balancing, healthcare and ethno-veterinary practices. The programme also aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the women.
