Bharat Daliya Nnama, a 42-year-old farmer from the tribal village of Khudarda in Aspur Tehsil of Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, was trying to earn a livelihood by rearing goats with his wife Pushpa and four children (two boys and two girls). However, he achieved little success with this and struggled to increase his income due to a lack of knowledge about proper goat husbandry and advanced techniques. His goat herd suffered from issues such as low birth weight and weak immune systems.
Additionally, inadequate access to quality veterinary care and unfamiliarity with good husbandry practices worsened his problems, resulting in him losing about a third of his herd each year. But Bharat's fortunes began to change when he joined Vaagdhara's Gram Swaraj Group in 2018. This group was established to ensure villagers' participation and help them realize their rights. Vaagdhara facilitator Motilal informed Bharat about the benefits and the importance of joining the group and encouraged him to do so. This decision proved to be a major turning point in Bharat's life.
Bharat started attending the monthly meetings of the Gram Swaraj Group and Vaagdhara's advanced goat management courses. He learned advanced techniques for goat management and received detailed explanations on various aspects such as health, nutrition, housing, and breeding management. He also gained knowledge about proper nutrition, vaccinations, and the importance of cleanliness for goats. Bharat became familiar with qualified techniques and measures to enhance the productivity and health of his goats.
Applying what he learned, Bharat improved the housing conditions for his goats by ensuring cleanliness and good ventilation, which helped reduce diseases. He provided a balanced diet including green grass, grains, and minerals. Bharat also initiated vaccinations and regular medical check-ups for his goats.
Bharat's efforts soon began to bear fruit. Disease and mortality rates plummeted, eliminating the need for costly treatments for his goats. Encouraged by these positive results, he decided to invest more to expand his business. As a result, Bharat successfully increased his herd of indigenous goats from 15 to 40, now earning approximately 60,000 rupees annually from their sale. His success has also inspired other community members. With this income, he can support the education of three of his children in a private school.
Due to the hilly terrain and the lack of irrigation systems, farming is challenging in this area. Therefore, most families rely on goat rearing as a primary or supplementary source of income. At the monthly meetings of the Gram Swaraj Group, Bharat not only learned advanced techniques for goat rearing but also gained self-confidence. Today, Bharat is a successful goat farmer and shares his success story with others in his village, encouraging them to join Vaagdhara’s Gram Swaraj Group.
Bharat's journey serves as an inspiration for all rural residents aiming to improve their livelihoods and become self-sufficient. The initiative of Vaagdhara’s Gram Swaraj Group has not only transformed Bharat's life, but his success story also demonstrates that any challenge can be overcome with the right guidance and hard work.
Bharat has proven that when villagers organize themselves and move in the right direction, they can not only provide for their families but also significantly contribute to the economic and social development of their community.
