Mayurbhanj Socio-Economic Development (MSED)” Project was implemented by NYDHEE (Network for Youth Development and Healthy Environment) in Bangiriposhi block. 

It was the years of hope and aspiration from 2013 to 2018, opined Ms. Sambari Naik, a Community Agro-Veterinarian Entrepreneur (CAVE) of Kadadiha village under Shyamsundarpur gram panchayat of Bangiriposhi Block in Mayurbhanj district. She remembers the initial days when “Mayurbhanj Socio-Economic Development (MSED)” Project was implemented by NYDHEE (Network for Youth Development and Healthy Environment) in Bangiriposhi block. Like her, many other tribal women joined in the project. They all were new to any development project implemented in their villages by NYDHEE. But they have dreams and courage to bring transformation in the life of vulnerable people.

The MSED project was implemented in eight gram panchayats of Bangiriposhi block with the support of Heifer International India. These panchayats were Budhikhamari, Shyamsundarpur, Nischanta, Bangiriposhi, Dighi, Banakanta, Nafri and Chandanpur. Majority of the people in these panchayats were from Scheduled Tribe community. We had selected 5000 vulnerable households from 71 villages under MSED project to enhance their livelihoods through integrated animal management (IAM). We adopted group approach for intervention and included them in 471 women self help groups. We ensured each and every household should enhance their income through improved goat rearing and backyard poultry farming.

With the massive support of people, we increased the herd size of goat and backyard poultry family. But we had challenge to maintain the improved health condition of goat and poultry. In every alternative year there was outbreak of disease. It affected almost all goat and backyard poultry of each and every household. There was huge death of goat and poultry. The vaccination and medicines supplied by government department and the veterinary persons were not enough to prevent the disease. It was one of the main causes of our apprehension. The farmers were also depressed due to colossal loss of their livestock.

The idea came in our mind, why not we promote and train community members for vaccination. When we propose this community vaccinator idea among community, it was quite surprise for them. There was mass silent among communities. The idea is good but they had the fear if goat or poultry could die. They also opined, if we could be trained, we could not depend upon government for vaccination during our requirement and we could save our livestock. After several rounds of meetings with community, few among them came forward to take the responsibility. We had selected 14 community persons for imparting training. Among them 11 were female. We had provided series of training and exposure to them on vaccination and deworming of goat and poultry.

Initially, women vaccinators were vaccinating in their own village, because they did not know cycling and biking. They were purchasing vaccines and medicines from Bangiriposi and Baripada market. They were being paid the cost of medicine, vaccine and their conveyance. Firstly, it was a problem for payment. But gradually people realized the importance of vaccination and deworming and paid as per demand of vaccinator. Now people understood that why not we pay, if we get services in our doorstep. Getting success in their village, we encouraged them to learn cycling by which they can cover more villages and earn more money. It touched the heart of our vaccinators. They learnt the cycle and covered more villages. We provided cool box to our vaccinators to keep and maintain the temperature of the vaccination. It received enormous support.

The 2nd phase of the project titled “Odisha Socio Economic Development (OSED)” began in the year 2022 getting huge success in the 1st phase of the project. The CAVEs were thinking if motorbike can be supported from the project during the 2nd phase, they can cover more village in less time without any drudgery. The rest of the time they can use for other livelihoods activities. As per demand of the CAVEs, the project supported 40 per cent cost of thee motorbike and rest 60 per cent given by CAVE. There was also provision of credit linkage. As a result, all our 14 CAVEs received motorbike in the month of October 2023 in a giant programme organized at Baripada with the presence of Sri Sudam Marandi, honourable minister of School and Mass Education, Revenue and Disaster Department, Govt of Odisha along with several other dignitaries. Using the motorbike, they increased their income from Rs. 6000/- per month to Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 15,000/- per month. It helped a lot to cover more households during short span of time. Now they are significantly happy with the new motorbike. Along with vaccination, the bike also used for selling vegetable, transporting fertilizer and other materials.

Now, Ms. Sambari, studied up to 7th class, realized that her dreams come true. Like Ms. Sambari, other CAVEs are opined we got wings to fly through OSED project implemented by NYDHEE in Bangiriposhi block.