Dehra Dun: The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme in the State of Uttarakhand. Addressing the gathering at Survey of India Auditorium Dehradun, Dhami said that women have played a pivotal role in formulation and holistic development of the livestock sector especially in Uttarakhand. “Implementation of various schemes being run by state and central governments is not possible without active participation of women. Already mid-day meal and vaccination program are being successfully operated by ‘ASHAS’/women in anganwadis and schools. In this context, women have been chosen to strengthen livestock related activities in remote rural areas, keeping in mind their important role for the same under the A-HELP scheme, envisioned by the Govt. of India.
Under this program trained A-HELPs will give their vital contribution in preventing various infectious diseases of animals, artificial insemination under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), tagging of animals and animal insurance. He further said that “it will be an incomparable example of incorporation and involvement of women power, for socio-economic upliftment. Saurabh Bahuguna, the Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, Uttarakhand Government, highlighted the significant role of women in livestock rearing and allied activities. Although the livestock sector offers tremendous opportunities for women, institutional support was lacking. This gap will be filled with the launch of the A-HELP program, he added.
Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, (CDD), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, AH and Dairying, Government of India explained the concept of A-HELP and congratulated the State Govt. for being one of the best States with a growing livestock sector. She further added that, this New band of community based functionaries, named as Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP) has been formulated to fill the void between local veterinary institutions and livestock owner and provide primary services.
Joshi added that under RGM, livestock breed improvement program will be conducted with the help of large number of trained A-HELP workers who are interested in performing Artificial Insemination by providing them additional training. These A-HELP workers will also be instrumental in the implementation of the Livestock Insurance Scheme as well as other interventions for which they will be provided remuneration as per the provisions of the scheme which will help in providing them some income and financial security.
Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, Secretary of Animal Husbandry in Uttarakhand, said that new initiatives taken in convergence of two Ministries- Animal Husbandry and Rural development through National Rural Livelihood Mission will help in filling the gap between Farmers and Veterinary health services. The programme will ensure economic upliftment of livestock owners along with active participation and involvement of women power. The A-HELP will serve as the organic link between the livestock farmers and the veterinary services and become” first port of call” in times of need of the farmers, he added.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched the novel initiative through an MoU signed between DAHD and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) under the Department of Rural Development (DoRD), Govt. of India. The primary responsibility of an A-HELP worker is to address the healthcare needs of the livestock population in a village. The programme was successfully piloted in the State of Madhya Pradesh and J&K (UT). The event had more than 500 participants including Progressive farmers and Pashu Sakhis.
