Maisi Pahadin and her husband, Baida Pahariya, have long depended on goat rearing and backyard poultry to support their family in the remote village of Kukrama in Jharkhand, India. As members of a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), livestock represented one of their most important household assets and a key source of livelihood. However, limited awareness of scientific livestock management practices often made it difficult to maintain healthy and productive animals.
Without access to information on vaccination, hygiene, nutrition, and proper shelter management, the family’s goats and poultry frequently suffered from illness and low productivity. Animals were often kept in open conditions, increasing their vulnerability to disease, particularly during the monsoon season. Like many families in the region, Maisi and her husband viewed livestock loss and poor productivity as unavoidable challenges of traditional animal rearing.
Things began to change through the Ultra Poor Graduation for PVTG in Jharkhand project, supported by Whole Foods Foundation and implemented by Trickle Up. Through regular household visits and technical guidance, the family received support to strengthen their livestock-based livelihood. Community coaches and project staff worked closely with them to introduce practical improvements in animal care and management.
One of the key innovations introduced through the project was Azolla cultivation, a low-cost and nutritious feed supplement for goats and poultry. Backyard poultry units were also distributed to support livelihood development. Although initially uncertain about adopting a new practice, Maisi gradually became interested after participating in demonstrations and receiving continued encouragement from community coaches and the project team. Maisi says, “Livestock is one of the most valuable assets for families like ours, but we did not previously know the proper scientific ways to care for and protect them.”
In March, she successfully established an Azolla pit near her home and began incorporating Azolla into the feeding routine for her livestock. Alongside this, the family learned improved livestock management practices, including vaccination awareness, hygienic feeding methods, and better shelter management to reduce disease risks and improve overall productivity.
“At first, I was unsure about Azolla cultivation, but after seeing healthier goats and poultry, I realized how beneficial it is for our livestock,” Maisi shares. Today, Azolla has become a regular part of the family’s livestock feeding practices, and Maisi has observed noticeable improvements in the health, growth, and disease resistance of both her goats and poultry. Better feeding practices, increased awareness of vaccination, and improved hygiene have also helped reduce disease risks and strengthen the family’s livestock assets.
The changes have reinforced the value of small but meaningful improvements in livestock care. As Maisi explained, “We never imagined that small improvements in feeding practices and shelter management could bring such positive changes to our livestock and livelihood.”
Her experience has not gone unnoticed within the community. Encouraged by the results, several neighboring families in Maisi’s village have started exploring Azolla cultivation for their own livestock. Through her example, practical knowledge and low-cost innovations are spreading beyond a single household and helping other families consider new ways to strengthen their livelihoods.
Today, Maisi’s journey demonstrates how regular mentoring and accessible solutions can improve livestock health and productivity while building greater resilience for vulnerable families. What began as a simple change in feeding and management practices has become an important step toward a stronger and more sustainable livelihood.
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