AT A time when dairy farmers across the country are struggling to keep their businesses afloat in the face of steady inflation in fodder prices and severe shortage in fodder availability, animal husbandry continues to be a profitable proposition in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan's Udaipur and Bhilwara districts.
"Till 10 years ago, we too used to struggle for arranging feed for our animals," says 50-year-old Sarsi Bai, from Boojh village in Udaipur district. Though arranging fodder and different forage crops for their livestock has been a way of life for the residents of the semi-arid village, fodder availability had gradually reduced with population growth and fragmentation of landholding. In the 2010s, the situation became so dire that most households had to buy fodder from a private beed (pasture) some 7 km away; price of the fodder depended on the beed owner's will. In 2016, Boojh residents got in touch with the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), a non-profit that works with communities across the country on ecological restoration. This marked a turnaround for not only the households of Boojh, but also several other villages in the region.
"FES researchers told us that we can overcome the fodder crisis by reviving and managing the shamlat or village common land," recalls Deepak Shrimali, a resident. There are three pastures, spanning 45 hectares (ha), which Boojh residents shared with neighbouring villages. Soon, almost all the households in the village came together to set up a "pasture development and management committee", and named it after the local deity Bhujeshwar Mahadev. The committee decided to revive one of the three pastures. FES prepared a revival plan for the 15 ha patch and offered guidance to the committee from time to time.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara