Significance of Collective Action in Initiating Organized Broiler Farming

Highlighting the need and the significance of collective action, the author talks about it in the context of organized broiler farming in Godda, Jharkhand

Introduction

S onamuni Devi, Chuneswari Devi and Biti Soren are going to withdraw money from their savings accounts. They smile with pride as they introduce themselves as poultry farmers of Godda Gramin Poultry Swabalambi Sahakari Samiti (GGPSSS) Ltd. through which they—landless and marginal poor women, who had little earning options at village—have been given an opportunity to earn a living. Similarly, 120 poultry farmers are highly motivated about the poultry rearing activity they are engaged in and their PI (Producers’ Institution). They had explained about this activity to their families and neighbours, who had not only criticized them but had also created obstacles for them when they had set about starting and running this business. After having reared five batches of poultry and having sold the ready birds in the market, they are now confident about poultry rearing. But the journey to the present wasn’t smooth. Initiating such an activity through an umbrella in Godda (a district of Jharkhand) where no exposure was held before on this regard was a huge struggle. There were many different aspects that were important when promoting broiler farming collectively. It was implemented as one of the special SGSY projects. This article discusses some of the important aspects of this venture.

Background

I joined PRADAN in August 2007 in Godda district. I began work in Pathargama block of the district, mainly with 350 Other Backward Class (OBC) families of 21 Self Help Groups (SHGs), to promote different livelihood activities allied to agriculture. I felt helpless during the SHG meetings because many members had no land or owned very small pieces of land; most of them were compelled to migrate. I was keen to install a poultry plant as ‘off farm’ with ‘on farm’ activity simultaneously in my working area. Poultry rearing intervention involved huge sums of money. Coincidentally, the special SGSY project was announced and I got the opportunity to promote the intervention that I was interested in.