Livestock rearing plays a major role in the rural economy, with goats providing a valuable source of livelihood and pathway out of poverty - particularly for women. But many goat keepers experience high herd mortality and poor returns - due to traditional practices, lack of veterinary services, and poor feeding/sanitation practices.

ACF is using Goat Based Livelihoods to uplift and empower rural families- How? By forming Goat Based Livelihood Groups; Developing a cadre of 'Pashu Sakhi' for door to door vet care services; improving breeds by using new, desired and healthy breeding buck; promoting proper feed and fodder management and growth monitoring; ensuring proper goatshed management and hygiene; and facilitating collective selling on the basis of live body weight.

Innovating further, a Goat Bank model has been kick-started in Farakka, West Bengal, which provides all goat related services in one place for farmers.

Goat Based Livelihoods is now a crucial part of the Agro-Based Livelihoods programme at ACF and has spread to other locations, including:

Chhattisgarh

• Baloda Bazaar: 139

• Raigarh: 93

• Tilda: 25

West Bengal

• Sankrail: 119

Rajasthan

• Ladnu: 194

• Mundwa: 224

• Rabriyawas: 57