Sustainable and Viable Livelihood Support System to Livestock Farmers of Suicide Prone Districts of Kerala by Improved Livelihood Assets and Food Security

Abstract

The study focusses on the importance and effectiveness of the livelihood support system, especially the rehabilitation package namely, the Special Livestock Package Scheme- Vidharbha Package, implemented in the suicide prone districts of Kerala. The scheme implemented in Palakkad, Wayanad and Kasargode districts by Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Kerala with financial support from Govt. of India. Assistance in the form of induction of cattle, supply of feed, insurance coverage, medicines, artificial insemination package, calf rearing etc. were provided to farmer families in distress. The study discusses the salient features of the scheme and the effectiveness in terms of livelihood and socioeconomic impact of the scheme. The Data was collected from 176 beneficiaries of the three districts through personal interview guided by a questionnaire. The findings revealed the beneficiaries of the project had land holdings of various sizes, three-fourths of the respondents had concrete and (or) roof-tiled houses, 31 per cent owned pump sets and 9 percent biogas plants. 97 per cent of the respondents owned cattle shed making evident the importance they have attributed to dairying within their income generating activities. In addition to possessing farm assets the beneficiaries had a fair ownership of household assets. These household assets ensured that these respondents had an entertainment opportunity at home, with 87 per cent owning television; 75 percent owning mixie and 66per cent depending on LPG for cooking purpose reflects the improvement in kitchen and cooking; 90 per cent of the beneficiaries owned mobile phones making them well connected socially. In the present day, the inclusion of the beneficiaries in "networking” and "social linkages” is an indicator of the development accessibility / opportunity. On assessing the values of the assets possessed, approximately 50 per cent of the beneficiaries had assets of above Rs 2.5 lakhs. 12. As far as the food consumption in the beneficiary - families were concerned 76 per cent were satisfied with the food availability. 22 per cent of the respondents mentioned that they have "just sufficient” food to meet the requirements. The families reported intake of animal proteins like egg, milk, meat (approx.  five eggs per family/week, 1.24 litres of milk per day per family, and 1.46 kg meat per family/week) ensuring  nutrition in the family.