Women Attracted to Commercial Pig Farming in Pauwadungma Rural Municipality

Bhojpur. Women of Pauwadungma Rural Municipality have been attracted to commercial pig farming. Women have started commercial pig farming after receiving 50 percent subsidy on piglets and construction of sheds through the 'Vice Chairperson Self-Reliance Program' operated by the rural municipality with the objective of connecting women with income generation. Bartamaya Rai of Bastim, Pauwadungma Rural Municipality-4, said that she started commercial pig farming after receiving support from the rural municipality for shed construction and obtaining improved breed piglets. Currently, she has started the business with 10 improved breed piglets. The interest of local farmers in animal husbandry has also increased after receiving subsidies. Jayamarani Rai of the same municipality said that it has been easier to start a business by receiving the initial investment required to start animal husbandry. According to her, the subsidy has reduced the need for farmers to depend solely on their own investment and has inspired them to move forward with commercial animal husbandry. Pauwadungma Rural Municipality Chairman Kiran Rai said that subsidies were provided for pig farming to farmers in Wards No. 4, 5, and 6 through the 'Vice Chairperson Self-Reliance Program'. He said, "We have operated the program with the objective of making women entrepreneurs and connecting them with income generation." The rural municipality stated that in the last financial year, programs worth Rs. 60 lakh were operated with 50 percent cost sharing of farmers by allocating a budget of Rs. 30 lakh. Through the program, 20 pig farms and one goat farm were subsidized. Expressing commitment to continue animal husbandry and agriculture-related programs in the coming days based on local needs and farmers' demands, the rural municipality's Vice Chairperson Jyotsana Rai said, "We are operating various programs based on animal husbandry and agriculture to make women economically self-reliant. Our goal is to increase income generation based on agriculture and make local women self-reliant."