A-HELP (ACCRIDITED AGENT FOR HEALTH & EXTENSION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION ) PROGRAMME CONCEPT
Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production is bridging the gap between livestock farmers, health service providers
Livestock production is a very important component of the national economy, a contribution that goes beyond direct food production to include multipurpose uses such as skins, fibre, fertiliser and fuel, as well as capital accumulation.
Livestock management practices and production diseases are seriously influencing the productivity of the livestock population. As an outcome of livestock diseases, animal protein output has not been able to meet up with the demand. Livestock diseases can be infectious, communicable or zoonotic.
The prevention and control of animal diseases is a reoccurring problem which brings about direct action by veterinary services. The services make the farmer aware of livestock management in terms of prevention and control of animal diseases.
Empowerment by sharing responsibilities
In India, women are often responsible for the day-to-day care and management of livestock. They also often provide basic veterinary care, such as administering medicines and treating injuries. They play a major role in processing, packaging and selling dairy products. “More than a third of dairy cooperatives members in India are women,” Prime Minister Modi emphasised at International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit, 2022.
Bridging the gap
In every village/ panchayat, there is a veterinary dispensary aid centre manned by a vet, livestock assistant and attendant. This staff often gets engaged in campaigns etc, leaving behind other routine duties. Their responsibilities do not allow them to take up the responsibility of a primary service provider.
Role of A-HELP
A-HELP will act as a “Livestock Resource Person“ for the designated area/village. The selected person will serve as a last-mile extension worker providing 24×7 services at the doorstep of farmers. She will sensitise livestock owners on ear-tagging, registration on the Information Network for Animal Productivity & Health (INAPH), scientific health management of livestock, basic sanitation and hygienic practices.
A-HELP is like ASHA
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying came up with a new band of community-based functionaries; named A-HELP to fill this void by utilising the existing cadre of Pashu Sakhis under DAY-NRLM, which is a cadre of community animal care providers. This was institutionalised on September 1, 2023, for leveraging the SHG platform for rural economic growth.
Developing a training module for A-HELP and their master trainers was the biggest obstacle. The A-HELP training was undertaken using a “consortium” approach with DAHD, NRLM, and NDDB on board to have a complete approach towards livestock health, welfare, and women’s empowerment to make it a sustainable model. After the 42-day basic training by NRLM, the Animal Husbandry Depart-
ment will provide a further 16 days of training to make them eligible to become “A-HELP”. National Dairy Development Board is the nodal institution for training which includes ToT programmes for vets and SRLM officials and a comprehensive 16-day training programme with hands-on farm practicals for selected Pashu Sakhis. Following training, their performance will be tested and accredited by the Rural Self Employment Training Institutions.
The success of ASHA workers in the Health sector paved way for this novel idea of A-HELP in the livestock sector, which will act as the first port of call for any livestock health-related issues, especially those who find it difficult to access veterinary health services.
DAY-NRLM for livestock sector
DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission) has been supporting farm livelihood sector both through backward and forward linkages.Support is being provided through cadre of pashu sakhis who are being trained through structured modules as part of training and capacity building architecture and are providing services by handholding the Mahila Kisans through Pashu Pathsalas and services at the doorstep of farmers.The mission has more than 40,000 Pashusakhis in their fold. It will help in increasing the outreach of DAHD schemes through these community cadres and also help in additional earning for the cadres thus supporting in enhancing their sustainability.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MORD), Government of India (GOI) has been implementing Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) since June 2011. The central objective of the DAY-NRLM is to catalyze increase in household incomes to move towards elimination of rural poverty. NRLM encourages the delivery of services/entitlements (such as MGNREGS, PDS) through women SHGs and their institutions at different levels. The institutions of the poor set aside funds towards vulnerability reduction – food security, health security, etc. Vulnerability Reduction Fund is also used for meeting the emergency needs of the poor and meeting the needs of the ultra-poor and vulnerable households on a differential footing. NRLM promotes and supports collectives towards Sustainable Livelihoods of the Poor (CSLP) around their key livelihood options. These collectives offer their members access to livelihood knowledge, skills, technology, market intelligence, risk management products and credit support through their SHGs and Federations to individual members/households
