Hazaribag Pig Farming Success: Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Vikas Yojana Empowers Rural Livelihoods

Hazaribag: The district administration’s effective implementation of govt schemes and their sustained monitoring have transformed rural livelihoods in Hazaribag. A case in point is Umesh Bhuiyan (40) of Kanddag village under the Padma block, who achieved financial self-reliance through pig farming under the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.Bhuiyan, who earlier worked as a daily-wage labourer, struggled to meet household expenses and support his children’s education due to his meagre earnings. His fortunes changed after he was selected as a beneficiary under the state-sponsored piggery development scheme implemented by the animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries department with support from the district administration in 2022.Under the scheme, Bhuiyan received four female pigs and one male pig with a 50% subsidy, along with pig feed, three years of insurance cover, scientific training, regular veterinary supervision, vaccination and medicines. With technical guidance from department officials and continuous monitoring by the administration, he has now successfully adopted pig farming as a commercial venture. At present, Bhuiyan owns around 80 pigs and sells nearly 350 to 400 piglets annually.District animal husbandry officer Sanjay Kumar said the department had trained around 16 people in a batch, which included Umesh.Bhuiyan said that his earlier monthly income ranged between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 while working as a daily wager. His annual earnings now range between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. DC Shashi Prakash Singh said transparent implementation of welfare schemes, timely training, and technical support were being ensured to maximise benefits for rural beneficiaries. “Bhuiyan’s success reflects the potential of Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Vikas Yojana to enhance income and promote self-reliance in rural areas,” he added.