Livestock for livelihood: The changing scenario in the 1999-Super cyclone affected Ersama block of Odisha

Abstract

The study was undertaken in Ersama block of the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha based on a sample of 163 households randomly selected from four villages- Ambiki, Baghdi, Padmapur and Ramtara with location of the villages being from farthest to closest to sea. The super cyclone of 1999 severely impacted the lives and livelihood of the people of coastal villages of Ambiki, Baghadi, Padampur and Ramtara. Being nearest to the sea, and due to many geographical disadvantages Ramtara village was worst hit. Livestock resources that were the major source of livelihood for many households in the area got severely depleted resulting in vulnerability and livelihood insecurity of the households. Before super cyclone about threefourths of the households had dairy animals as an important source of livelihood. But in April 2017, little more than half of the households owned dairy animals and moreover, the average herd size was small resulting in low income. Similar is the case for poultry owners. But the silver lining is that even after a complete wipe out in 1999 super cyclone, there has been some revival of livestock sector in the area as evidenced by the fact that today 6-10 per cent of total household income comes from the sector. This could be attributed to support of government and non-government organizations that worked for years in the area. Therefore a special livestock development programme encompassing scientific dairy development and poultry development should be launched in potential pockets targeting the poor and women who are still struggling to wrest a living so as to create additional livelihood opportunities and improve the productivity of the sector