IMPROVING LIFESTYLE AND NUTRITION STATUS THROUGH POULTRY OF LOCAL SPECIES.

This program has made the life of villagers easy and comfortable.

Improving lifestyle and nutrition status through poultry of local species. Under the Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project, nutrition groups have been formed in Benighat Rorang rural municipality of Dhading district, which is conducting different activities to improve the nutritional status. Like: • Seed distribution • Fruits seedling distribution • Poultry distribution • Household nutrition program • Nutrition school etc. Among the above-listed activities, the members of the nutrition group have been able to get facilities and achievements after getting selected for the small grant programs under the title of local poultry farming. Although the community members were involved in poultry farming even before the implementation of this program in the area, they claim that raising poultry has been easy and profitable after receiving small grants for local poultry farming and the construction of managed cages. Asmita Dharel “Earlier, we raised chickens out of doors rather than in cages, so we would have to fight with our neighbour because of the mishaps caused by chickens. However, after building cages for our chickens, the sense of harmony has been restored and increased in the neighbourhood and community. By systematically handling local poultry farming, the nutrition groups have succeeded in improving the economic and nutritional status. The cage construction has allowed us to keep our chickens safe and to grow and consume vegetables around our house. Now, everyone has eggs, meat and chicken manure in their household. Therefore, we do not purchase meat and egg from the market, which has reduced the financial burden, and we are consuming fresh eggs and meat daily. This program has made our life a lot better. ” Anju Magar “Previously, even when I craved meat, I had to console myself as I had no money to buy meat from the market. However, now that I have started raising chickens, I can take one out of the cage and eat without worrying about money, which makes me happy. In addition, I do not have to buy eggs, meat or manure from the market, which saves me a lot of time.” Poultry farming has made it possible for parents to offer their children fresh and clean meat and eggs daily. Selling eggs, meats, and chicken manure has also increased income and decreased the expenses of many households. They have succeeded in buying other daily necessities with the money they get by selling meat products. “The sisters from our community have been able to meet their needs and increase their income while staying home and looking after their children. The self-confidence of the community is soaring high. ” Anju added. In a community with a majority of Tribal group who are unable to earn income by investing on their own are happy after receiving 85% investment from the organization and 15% from the group of poultry farming program, which has directly helped the members to improve their financial condition and lifestyle. Apart from this, the consumption of fresh, clean and clean eggs and meat produced at home has also improved the nutritional status of children and mothers. This program has made the life of villagers easy and comfortable. The production of eggs and meat is increasing in every house. “We do not have to go to the market to buy meat and eggs, which saves us a lot of time. Apart from this, we are meeting our daily requirements by selling eggs, meat and chicken manure in the market.” Says Anju. Giving positive feedback to the program, they say they will continue to rear chicken after finishing the ones that are in cage now. Seeing similar cages full of chickens and children eating eggs and meat during our field visits makes us happy that the sweat and hard work we shed in the community has been put to good use. In this way, the group expressed their happiness by thanking the (FANSEP) project for implementing this program in the community. The continuation of this work seems to improve the nutritional status of children and mother while their daily activities get easier.

Name: Shanti Chhatkuli

Designation: Nutrition Facilitator

Address: Benighat Rorang,7 Charaudi Dhading