Glimpses of goat improvement project at Salboni, Jhargram district of West Bengal by CLTS Foundation: Renowned livestock specialist Dr Salil Sur RoyChowdhury visited the goat project area of CLTS Foundation around Salboni in Jithusol, Jhargram. A pictorial documentation of the visit of Dr Roy Chowdhury along with professionals and colleagues of CLTS Foundation

I convey my sincere gratitude to the CLTS Foundation for giving me the opportunity as an Animal Management expert for the Health Camps organized at different villages in Jhargram district, West Bengal on 10th & 11th April’ 2025. Its’ really appreciable and gave me immense pleasure that the organization has been managing Black
Bengal Goat Project aiming to enhance the livelihoods of poor and marginal communities in Jhargram district, West Bengal through gradual improvement of Black Bengal Goats.

As per the programme schedule the first camp was conducted at Amlachati village on 10th  April afternoon. At the camp we had interacted with community & marginal Goat Farmers of that village. In the Health Camp discussion was focused on rearing of Black Bengal Goats, rearing & management, improvement through graded Buck selection, Health Management & Prophylaxis measures, economic importance of Black Bengal Goats & its future scope.

On the same day we had also conducted another Health Camp at Baladduba village under Jhargram block in the evening there we had interacted with the Goat Farmers and other Livestock Farmers. The discussion was focused on Black Bengal Goat rearing, its economic value and future guidelines.

On 11th April 2025 we had operated another Health Camp at Kamarbandhi village. Most of the villagers are rearing Livestock of various species gathered at the camp. We had interacted with the farmers for their general Livelihood, Livestock population, scope of Black Bengal Goats and its great economic returns & concluded with how to improve Black Bengal Goats for commercial & economic purposes.
It was a magnificent opportunity for two days at different villages in Jhargram district where we interacted with the communities and marginal farmers regarding their Livestock rearing particularly the Black Bengal Goats, the best Goat Breed in the world.

Some observations from the field:

The CLTS Foundation have taken a great endeavour for marginal communities at Jhargram district, it’s really beneficial to the livelihood of the community.

  • Regular interaction with the beneficiaries, more discussions on their idea about the project, is the project benefitting them, how are they rearing their Goats & other Livestock, if the idea is the same or modification is needed etc.
  • Initial inputs to be provided for free of cost (one time) such as Goat rope, Feeding bowels, Dewormers, Vitamins & Minerals, Vaccine etc.
  • Making of one unit of raised bamboo floor for healthy and good shelter as a sample one.
  • Issue of Health Card and regular entry of data is very important for good rearing.
  • Continuous extension & monitoring to keep the farmers connected with the CLTS Foundation.
  • Leaflets, Books, Models etc. to be prepared for awareness Camps in local language.
  • Survey report, no. of animals, pregnant animals, growing Bucks to be registered along with sale of animals report.

-Reported by Dr Salil Sur Roy Chowdhury
Officer- in- Charge,
WBCADC, Berhampore Project