Fishery value chain training in Barathiabari

      An awareness programme on fishery value chain was organized for farmers on 22nd of Dec 2016 in Barathiabari village in Paschim Mangaldoi block of Darrang district. The programme was facilitated by Programme Manager, Mr. Arindam Pal and concerned field staffs. 25 members of two groups, 5 Local Service Providers (LSPs) and two local fish supplier participated in the meeting. 

     During the session the members discussed in details about fishery business plan as per which they will release spawn worth Rs.5000 per bigha in their ponds during March next year. During the cultivation period farmers will maintain pond water level by using water pumps on sharing basis as borewells are available. Participants also discussed about various management practices on scientific lines like pond preparation, pond size & stocking density, spawn management, pond hygiene, feed requirement, harvesting, etc. Local fish seeds suppliers agreed to provide expert advice to farmers in addition to ensuring regular supply of quality seeds. Suppliers also expressed that they can support groups in setting up of sales counters in Dighipar for linking them up to high value market.

Unnati LSPs trained on Horticultural Management Practices

A capacity building training on horticultural management practices was organized at Horticulture Research Station at Kahikuchi in  Guwahati  from 13th to 16th December 2016. The training was organized under another on-going project of RGVN funded by German organizations i.e Karl Kubel Stiftung & Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ). Along with beneficiaries of the German Project, two Unnati LSPs received an opportunity to participate in the programme who were Runumi Deka of Dighipar in Darrang and Nurmahammad Ali of Darangipara in Mukulmua.

LSPs receiving training on coconut cultivation in Horticulture Research Station, Kahikuchi on 15.12.2016

See training schedule here

Fishery Value Chain Development

RGVN identified 15 villages in Barkehtri and Paschim Nalbari block of Nalbari district for implementing fishery value chain development activities. In these villages fish farming is practiced in a traditional mode and hence there exist lot of scope for the farmers to increase their scale of operations. It is expected that farmers will greatly benefit once the fishery value chain development interventions are being initiated. Accordingly,  project  identified 127 households and 15 groups has been formed so far. During November i.e from 17.11.19 to 7.12.16, six training events were organized for these farmers. All the technical sessions were handled by the Programme Manager of Unnati. 

Details of groups & training provided here

Programme Manager taking a technical session on fish rearing at Lowtola village, Barkhetri

Programme Manager taking a technical session on fish rearing at Niztapa village, Barkhetri

Similarly, fishery pockets are being identified in Paschim Mangaldoi block in Darrang. Groups will be formed shortly.

Solar Street Lights

Solar powered street lights installed in four (4) locations under the project during November 2016 as a special community intervention. Street lights were installed in selected BCA centres, details of which are provided below:

BCA point	Date of installation	Block	District
Dariapara	08.11.16	Paschim Mangaldoi	Darrang
Dighirpar	08.11.16	Paschim Mangaldoi	Darrang
Addatary	07.11.16	Barkhetri	Nalbari
Mugdi	07.11.16	Barkhetri	Nalbari

Solar street lamp installed at Dariapara, Pas. Mangaldoi

Solar street lamp installed at Dighirpar, Pas. Mangaldoi

Solar street lamp installed at Mugdi, Barkhetri

Solar street lamp installed at Addattary, Barkhetri

Solar street lamp at Addatari, Barkhetri

RGVN Starts Disbursing Loans Under Unnati

Beginning from 8th November 2016, RGVN started disbursing  loans under Unnati to JLGs   in Aulachowka, Darrang through its authorized BC Agents. "Rupali " is the first JLG to have received a loan amount of Rs.2.10 lacs. The JLG is located in Bhalukhowapara village and the members of JLG are Smt. Hiramoni Bharali, Smt. Popi Bora, Smt. Anima Deka, Smt. Pramila Barua, Smt. Gumeswari Deka, Smt. Bidyawati Barua and Smt. Kalpana Bora. Members of the JLG plans to utilize their loan in cultivation of SRI paddy and mustard in the ensuing rabi season.

BC Agent Prahlad Deka handing over the loan amount to Smt. Kalpana Bora

BC Agent handing over loan to a member of Rupali JLG Smt. Hiramoni Bharali

HDDS & MAHFP Survey

Survey of households for measuring household food access began from 27th October 2016. In this survey two types of measurement tools (questionnaires) developed by USAID is being used i.e  Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP). An orientation session on the survey was held for the staffs at Guwahati on 26th October 2016 in Ricon building, Rajgarh Road. Sample data to be collected from 500 HHs in Barkhetri and 500 HHs in Pas. Mangaldoi. Findings of the survey to be incorporated in Baseline Report of Unnati

Field Facilitator filling up survey questionnaire in Aulachowka, Darrang

Staff Orientation Programme on Photography and Food Security Survey

An orientation programme for project staffs was held at Guwahati on 26th of Oct 2016. The programme was organized under another project of RGVN, however, project staffs of Unnati were also invited to attend the same. Area Coordinators and CMOs of Livelihood programme participated in the programme. The training was conducted by Mr Utpal Baruah , Director of UB Photos based in Guwahati, Assam. During the programme Mr. Baruah shared many techniques of photograph especially focusing on social documentary photography and provided many tips for better photography. Finally a demonstration was given by the trainer on operation of SLR cameras ollowed by a short practice session.

On the same day,  a session on household dietary survey and months of food availability was conducted by M&E and Asst M&E officer of Unnati. Accordingly, each blocks was given a target to collect data of 500 HHs.

Mr. Utpal Baruah of UB photos taking a session on photography

FI Launch

The Financial Inclusion  programme under Unnati project of RGVN was formerly launched on 19^th of October 2016 at United Club in Aulachowka, Darrang district. The project UNNATI, which is being currently implemented in Nalbari and Darrang district, has been started in collaboration with Vattikuti India Foundation, Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) & Davinta Technologies.

It  aims to organize small scale farmers to reap the benefit of large scales of operations, transfer of simple, low cost, environment friendly technology to increase farm production, providing market linkage of agricultural produce, setting up of Local Service Providers to provide services for farm production and also, to provide  of credit linkage to the villagers. The unique feature of this programme is that RGVN will act as Business Correspondent (BC) of IDBI Bank in order to bring banking within the reach of the masses of rural population. Groups formed under the project can avail loans for livelihood generating activities through the BC Agents which will be conveniently located in their neighbourhood grocery/corner shop.

The event saw a participation of 650 people, which was organised within the premises of United Club, Aulachowka,  Darrang. The chief guest was Honbl. M.P. Ramen Deka of Darrang who lighted the lamp along with Executive Director of RGVN Dr. Amiya Kumar Sharma, Director of Vattikuti India Foundation Air Marshall Joseph Neri, General Manager of IDBI Bank Guwahati Mr. Ugen Tashi and Chairman AGVB Mr. Shiv Shankar Singh. 

Dr. Amiya Kumar Sharma introduced the concept of project to the people present and highlighted its significance of providing loans at low interest to group members. The local corner shops will act as Banking Correspondent Agents (BCA) which will provide loan and other banking facilities to the people. 

Air Marshall Joseph Neri spoke about the goals and aims of the Vattikuti India Foundation and its endeavour to achieve sustainable empowerment and poverty alleviation through this unique livelihood and financial inclusion initiative promoted under Unnati project. 

Mr. Ugen Tashi reflected on the long history IDBI has shared with RGVN since its inception and is happy to be part of the new venture. He expressed that IDBI is eager to provide loan and the importance of timely loan repayment by the people which motivates the bank in turn to further increase the quantum of loan.

M.P. Ramen Deka congratulated RGVN on this unique venture which will be benefit the rural community greatly. He also urged the people to be responsible and to ensure timely repayment. 

Links to newspaper publications

Times of India

Dainik Janambhumi 

Sentinel 

Asomiya Pratidin 

Amar Asom

Training on Commercial Poultry Farming

RGVN organized training on techniques and prospects of commercial poultry farming in Barkehetri and Pas. Mangaldoi for LSPs and group members. Dr. Mridul Bora (MVsc), a veterinary consultant based in Guwahati was drawn in as resource person for the training programmes. In Barkehetri, training was held on 31st August 2016 at the office of Barkehetri Unnayan Samiti, Mukalmua. 14 LSPs and 9 group representatives participated in the programme. Sri. Joydev Das, a local progressive farmer and dealer of poultry feed was also present in the programme. The other training programme was held on 9th September 2016 at Aulachowka Area Office, Darrang.17 LSPs and 10 group representatives participated in the event. Unnati field staffs and Programme Manager, Arindam Pal were also present in the meeting.

Dr. Mridul Bora taking class at Mukalmua

LSPs and group members jotting down notes during trainig

Dr. Mridul Bora at LSP Karuna Saharia's farm at Borangabari, Pas. Mangaldoi

Topics discussed during the training

• Strengthening and building up of confidence on poultry farming
• Poultry diseases, their treatment and control
• Poultry housing & scientific management practices
• Poultry vaccination:Source of vaccine, procedure of vaccination, carrying of vaccine, storage of vaccine and vaccination schedule
•  Importance of hygienic environment
•  Local procedure of primary treatment of poultry diseases
•  Bedding materials for poultry farming
•  Feeding Management of poultry: poultry feed composition  and formulation using locally available material, quantity of daily feed  etc
• Importance of light for better production 
• Importance of nest box for layer birds
• Brooding system for chicks and ducklings.  

Darrang report

Training on Commercial Vegetable Cultivation

A training programme on commercial vegetable cultivation was organized under Unnati on 2nd of September 2016 at Mukalmua. 14 LSPs and 10 group representatives participated in the training. A senior and experienced project staff of RGVN , Mr. Ratan Das (B.Sc Agri) conducted the training. Ganpati Deka, a progressive farmer from Chenga village in Barpeta district also shared know how's and his experience with the participants during the session.

Ratan Das taking session on prospects of commercial vegetable cultivation

Programme schedule

Model Demonstration Farms

Model demonstration farms for poultry rearing and lemon cultivation set up in various locations under visibility component of Unnati project. 

The objectives of demonstration are:

1.  To exhibit scope and profitability of potential IGAs (Income Generating Activities)

2.  To observe the performance of new breeds of birds  (Khaki Campbell & White Pekin) and lemon variety(Eureka) under  agro-climatic conditions of Assam

3.  To act as showcase to all farmers and motivate for adoption

Contract agreements were signed between farmer demonstrators and RGVN containing essential clauses and farming guidelines before start up of activity.  As per the agreement every demonstrator had to make their own contribution by employing family labour and arranging raw materials from own back yard (bamboo, etc) for construction of infrastructure (bird shelter). 

At present there are 5 poultry rearing units and 4 lemon mini orchard units. Eight local advanced farmers and one LSP, Sri. Karuna Saharia of Paschim Mangaldoi was selected for taking up demonstration activity.      

Before birds and saplings were supplied, farmers constructed poultry shelters and prepared the mainfield for planting utilizing the first installment received from project. Funds also utilized for purchase of feeds, feeders and waterers, vaccine and medicine by poultry demonstrators. Lemon demonstrator farmers utilized some portion of fund for fencing and purchase of vermicompost and lime. 

Birds were supplied to the units during 28^th July to 6^th August in Mangaldoi and during  6^th to 29^th August in Barkehtri. A poultry dealership firm based in rural kamrup ,  M/S. A.D Enterprise was contacted for supplying birds to these units.

Lemon saplings were distributed to farmers during 15^th to 19^th August 2016 in Barkehtri and in Aulachowka during 23^rd to 24^th August . Saplings were supplied by an agro-company based in Guwahati called Greencover Overseas Pvt.Ltd. Lemon demonstrator farmers in Barkhetri planted the saplings under the supervision of line department experts visiting from Department of Agriculture, Mukalmua. Sri Jitendra Kalita (Agri. Inspector), Md. Nabir Hussain (Agri. Extension Asst) and Md. Hassan Ali (Agri. Extension Asst) were some of the experts who visited the demo sites at the time of planting.

Bee colonies will be provided in the lemon orchards once the crop comes to flowering.

Poultry shelter  constructed by Bharati Medhi in Howlighat, Barkhetri

Poultry shelter constructed by Arjina Begum in Bamunbari, Barkhetri

Poultry shelter constructed by Golapi Das in Mugdi, Barkhetri

Poultry shelter constructed by Hemalata Bora in Bhalukhowapara in Pas. Mangaldoi

Poultry shelter constructed by Karuna Saharia in Borangabari, Pas. Mangaldoi

Lemon orchard of Bali Barman in Bartalla, Barkhetri

Lemon orchard of Pankaj Deka in Gariapara, Pas. Magaldoi

Dipti Devi in her lemon orchard in Bhalukhowapara, Pas Mangaldoi

Lemon orchard of Hemen Nath in Rampur, Barkhetri

                   Details of Demo unit are furnished below:

          A.    Poultry farms-White Pekin & Khaki Campbell

#	Demonstrator	Location	Area/ unit size	Type of bird	Quantity	Fund support earmarked	Fund received as on date
1	Smt. Bharati  Medhi	Howlighat, Barkhetri	150 sq ft	White Pekin	50 birds	Rs.22,000/-	Rs. 18,350/-
2	Smt. Arzina Begum	Bamumbari, Barkhetri	100 sq ft	White Pekin	50 birds	Rs.22,000/	Rs. 15,250/-
3	Smt. Golapi Das	Mugdi, Barkhetri	150 sq ft	White Pekin	50 birds	Rs.22,000/	Rs. 14,000/-
4	Smt. Hemalata Bora	Bhalukhowapara, P. Mangaldoi	200 sq ft	White Pekin	50 birds	Rs.22,000/	Rs. 21,950/-
5	Sri. Karuna Saharia	Borangabari, P. Mangaldoi	150 sq ft	Khaki Campbell	50 birds	Rs.22,000/	Rs. 18,550/-

B.     Lemon Mini orchards-Assam lemon & Eureka lemon

#	Demonstrator	Location	Area/ unit size	Quantity	Fund support earmarked	Fund received as on date
1	Sri. Bali Barman	Bartalla, Barkhetri	0.5 bigha	Assam - 50, Eureka- 10	Rs.12,350/-	Rs.4250/-
2	Sri. Hemen Ch. Nath	Rampur, Barkhetri	1 bigha	Assam - 50, Eureka- 40	Rs. 24,700/-	Rs. 6000/-
3	Sri. Pankaj Deka	Gariapara, P. Mangaldoi	1.5 bigha	Assam - 90, Eureka- 30	Rs.37,050/-	Rs. 8000/-
4	Smt. Dipti Devi	Bhalukkhowapara, P.Mangaldoi	2 katha	Assam - 30, Eureka- 90	Rs. 9880/-	Rs.4200/-

District Veterinary Official Dr. Jagabrat Nath advice's Hemalata Bora on  Duck care

Broiler ducks grows big in Bharati Medhi's unit

LSP Karuna Saharia feeding his Khaki Campbell ducks