Backyard Poultry Farming Support for SC Farmers in Hingoli Maharashtra – Empowering Rural Livelihoods

Explore how backyard poultry farming support for SC farmers in Hingoli Maharashtra is enhancing sustainable livestock-based livelihoods and empowering women farmers.

The Training and Education Centre (TEC) of the ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Pune, recently executed a landmark initiative aimed at empowering Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers in Hingoli, Maharashtra. The programme, part of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), focused on distributing high-quality backyard poultry and goat units, alongside comprehensive technical guidance, to bolster sustainable livestock-based livelihood opportunities. This initiative is creating pathways for economic upliftment and skill development among small and marginal SC farmers in the Ajegaon block of Sengaon Taluka.

Promoting Sustainable Livestock-Based Livelihoods

Between March 10 and 12, 2026, TEC-IVRI conducted a two-day field programme targeting the economic empowerment of SC farmers in Hingoli Maharashtra. The primary goal was to strengthen backyard poultry farming support and goat farming enterprises by providing essential livestock inputs and hands-on scientific training. Such interventions are crucial for rural communities, especially women, who rely heavily on livestock-based income for household sustenance.

Through this initiative, 30 poultry farmers—including 10 women—and 16 SC goat farmers, 13 of whom were women, were selected as beneficiaries. Selection was based on meticulous field surveys conducted by Dr. Tukaram Bhuktar from CVAS, Parbhani, ensuring that deserving farmers directly benefit from the programme. Data on socio-economic conditions and livestock management practices were collected to design interventions tailored to the community’s needs.

Distribution of Poultry and Goat Units

On March 11, 2026, the Ajegaon village hosted a poultry bird distribution event, where selected farmers received desi Kaveri birds, ideal for backyard poultry farming support. Each farmer was provided with essential inputs, including poultry feed, feeders, waterers, and umbrellas, to ensure proper bird management. The initiative encourages low-cost, manageable poultry farming, which is particularly suitable for women-led households.

The following day, a similar distribution was conducted in Waghjali village, where 16 selected farmers received Osmanabadi goat units. Each unit included five goats (four females and one male), pelleted feed, mineral mixture, milk cans, and protective umbrellas. These units serve as an effective model for small-scale scientific goat farming, promoting sustainable income sources for rural SC families.

Technical Guidance and Capacity Building

TEC-IVRI experts, including Dr. HP Aithal and Dr. Sanghratna V Bahire, provided detailed technical sessions covering all aspects of scientific livestock farming. Farmers were educated on:

• Proper housing and management of goats and poultry
• Balanced feeding and fodder production
• Disease prevention and vaccination schedules
• Breeding management and selection techniques
• Marketing strategies and value addition for livestock products

Such expert-led guidance ensures that backyard poultry and goat farming are not only productive but also sustainable and scientifically managed.

Empowering Women and Rural Communities

The programme has a significant focus on women empowerment, recognizing their central role in rural agriculture and livestock management. By targeting female beneficiaries, TEC-IVRI ensures that economic benefits and technical knowledge reach the most influential members of rural households. Feedback from participants highlighted the practical value of the inputs and training in improving livelihoods and initiating scalable livestock enterprises.

Local farmers expressed gratitude, noting that the support provided through the SCSP project would enable them to expand their existing livestock activities and enhance household incomes. Such interventions illustrate the transformative potential of well-structured government and institutional schemes in rural development.

Long-Term Impact on Rural Livelihoods

The initiative exemplifies a sustainable model for rural livelihood enhancement. By integrating scientific practices into backyard poultry farming support and goat rearing, TEC-IVRI is promoting long-term economic security for marginalized communities. The programme also strengthens technology transfer from research institutions to farmers, ensuring continued adoption of modern livestock management practices.

Furthermore, by equipping farmers with practical knowledge and resources, the initiative reduces dependency on external markets and fosters self-reliance. Small-scale livestock farming, particularly when combined with training under SCSP schemes, offers multiple benefits, including improved nutrition, additional income streams, and skill development for rural youth.

Leveraging SCSP for Livelihood Development

The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) provides targeted funding for socio-economic upliftment of marginalized communities. This project by TEC-IVRI demonstrates how strategic resource allocation, combined with scientific guidance, can optimize the benefits of SCSP initiatives. By focusing on high-impact interventions such as livestock unit distribution and training, the programme ensures that the financial and technical resources reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently.

Integrating Technology and Best Practices

To maximize productivity, TEC-IVRI emphasizes the adoption of best practices, including biosecurity measures, vaccination protocols, and improved feeding strategies. Farmers are encouraged to maintain meticulous records of breeding cycles, health interventions, and production data. This approach aligns with global standards in scientific livestock farming and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Expert Insights

Experts highlight that small-scale poultry and goat enterprises serve as an entry point for SC farmers in Maharashtra to diversify income sources and achieve financial stability. Dr. Sanghratna V Bahire commented, “By providing technical guidance alongside livestock units, we are not just distributing animals—we are enabling sustainable livelihood pathways that can be scaled across the region.”

Internal and External Resources for Farmers

For additional learning and resources, farmers and stakeholders can explore:

• NCERT Courses – courses.edunovations.com
• Current Affairs Updates – edunovations.com/currentaffairs
• Notes & Study Materials – edunovations.com/notes
• MCQ Practice – edunovations.com/mcq/
• Video Tutorials – edunovations.com/videos/
• NCERT Syllabus – edunovations.com/syllabus/
• Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps – courses.edunovations.com/shop-2/

External expert support and digital resources can be accessed via Mart India Infotech, which provides advisory services for schools and rural development initiatives.

Conclusion

The TEC-IVRI initiative in Hingoli Maharashtra highlights the crucial role of backyard poultry farming support for SC farmers in fostering sustainable livestock-based livelihoods. Through meticulous planning, resource distribution, and scientific training, the programme has empowered marginalized farmers, especially women, to build resilient and profitable livestock enterprises. This model sets a benchmark for similar rural development interventions across India.

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FAQs

1. What is the SCSP programme in Maharashtra for SC farmers?
   SCSP (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan) provides targeted funding to uplift SC communities through initiatives like livestock support and training.
2. How can SC farmers benefit from backyard poultry farming support in Hingoli Maharashtra?
   Farmers receive poultry units, feed, and technical training to establish low-cost, sustainable poultry enterprises.
3. What types of livestock units are distributed under this SCSP initiative?
   Desi Kaveri poultry birds and Osmanabadi goat units with feed, mineral mixtures, and protective equipment.
4. How does scientific goat farming training help SC farmers?
   It teaches proper housing, feeding, disease prevention, breeding management, and marketing strategies for sustainable income.
5. Are women farmers included in the SCSP livestock projects?
   Yes, a significant portion of beneficiaries are women to empower rural households and promote gender equality.
6. What are the long-term benefits of backyard poultry farming for SC farmers?
   Sustainable income, improved nutrition, skill development, and economic self-reliance.
7. Who provides the technical guidance in these programmes?
   Experts from TEC-IVRI, Pune, including Dr. HP Aithal and Dr. Sanghratna V Bahire.
8. Can SC farmers access additional learning resources online?
   Yes, through NCERT courses, videos, notes, and current affairs platforms provided by Edunovations.
9. How are beneficiaries selected for SCSP livestock support?
   Through detailed field surveys assessing socio-economic status, interest, and capacity for livestock management.
10. Where can schools and organizations seek expert advisory on livestock projects?
    External support is available via Mart India Infotech for training, consultation, and project planning.