Rural Development Ministry Partners with Bharat Financial Inclusion to Boost Livestock Livelihoods
Ministry of Rural Development, GoI signs MoU with the Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited to synergize the livelihood intervention in livestock sector
Livestock holds the key to income enhancement as well as fulfilling the nutritional needs of the households: Shri Charanjit Singh
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has forged a strategic partnership with Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL) through the signing of a Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering the livelihood intervention of DAY-NRLM by integrating their efforts in the livestock and fisheries sectors. The agreement was inked by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Charanjit Singh, and Executive Vice Chairman, J Sridharan, in New Delhi. Present at the signing were senior officials from the Ministry and BFIL, including Joint Secretary Smriti Sharan, Deputy Secretary Nivedita Prasad, Deputy Director Raman Wadhwa, National Mission Manager Vivek Kunj, Chief People Officer Kishore Sambasivam, and Chief Managers Prem Nath Singh and Asad Ahmad.
Singh highlighted the pivotal role of livestock in augmenting income and meeting the nutritional requirements of households, advocating for a saturation approach with clearly defined outcomes. Recognising BFIL's existing work with women in rural financial inclusion through Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), particularly in the livestock sector, he urged exploration of avenues for formal collaboration.
Sridharan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the Indian government and committed to leveraging BFIL's resources to maximise community benefits as outlined in the agreement.
This collaboration will initially see the establishment of a centralized Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) to support DAY-NRLM at the national level and State PMUs in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar. These units will include livestock specialists tailored to the needs of each state, focus on market linkage, and aim to fortify the network of Pashu Sakhis developed under DAY-NRLM, providing essential healthcare support to animals. Additional interventions will target livestock cluster facilitation, the development of an IT-enabled ecosystem, and the provision of veterinary care and support to Self-Help Group (SHG) households within the DAY-NRLM framework.
The partnership is poised to catalyze significant advancements in the livelihoods of rural households engaged in the livestock sector. By establishing a synergy between governmental efforts and BFIL's expertise in financial inclusion and support services, this initiative is set to empower women, enhance the productivity of livestock and fisheries, and facilitate access to markets and healthcare services for animals. The focus on leveraging technology to create an IT-enabled ecosystem underscores a commitment to modernizing agricultural practices and ensuring the sustainability of these livelihoods.
Furthermore, the involvement of Pashu Sakhis as last-mile extension workers highlights a grassroots approach to healthcare, providing essential support directly to the community's doorstep. This not only strengthens the healthcare infrastructure for livestock but also empowers women within these communities by providing them with skills, knowledge, and employment opportunities.
As this collaboration unfolds, it holds the promise of transforming the landscape of rural livelihoods in India, particularly in the livestock sector. It aligns with the broader objectives of the Government of India to promote rural prosperity, nutritional security, and sustainable agricultural practices. This partnership between the Ministry of Rural Development and Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited sets a precedent for future collaborations aimed at achieving comprehensive rural development and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.