Bleating beacon of hope
A goat rearing initiative supported by the Tata Trusts in Jawadhu Hills, Tamil Nadu, has given tribal women a sustainable source of livelihood
Goat rearing is the primary source of livelihood for tribal communities in Kuriyanur, a village nestled amidst the picturesque Jawadhu Hills of Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district. Unfortunately for Rajeshwari, a local resident of Kuriyanur, her lack of knowledge in goat rearing would lead to constant struggles in meeting her household expenses. Her husband works as a woodcutter away from home, while she tends to their four children in Kuriyanur. Realising the potential of goat farming as a sustainable source of income for individuals like Rajeshwari, the Reviving the Green Revolution (RGR) Cell, in collaboration with Titan, intervened with its Latchathipathi Vivasayi project.
A new stream of revenue
RGR Cell, an associate organisation of the Tata Trusts, was established with a mission to encourage agricultural diversification. The RGR team supported Rajeshwari by providing her with four goats, in addition to intensive training in goat farming. A veterinarian too participated in the training sessions, teaching her the best practices to maintain the optimal health and well-being of her goats.
Under the Latchathipathi Vivasayi project, the RGR Cell empowered a total of 156 tribal families spanning nine tribal villages in Jawadhu Hulls. Like Rajeshwari, each family received four goats and underwent rigorous training sessions focused on goat rearing techniques, with the ultimate goal of enhancing their income-generating capacity.
A thriving herd of goats
Within just a year, Rajeshwari expanded her herd of goats to 12. Recently, she successfully sold an eight-month-old goat for a substantial sum of Rs12,000, which she has put aside for her children’s education and school necessities. Today, Rajeshwari expresses deep gratitude to the Tata Trusts for their timely intervention. She says, “The bleating of my goats is a pleasant melody for me and rearing them has ensured a sustainable income to support my family and help in educating my children. I am thankful to the RGR Cell and Titan for their support.”
