Business Opportunities in Agriculture: 150 Field Interviews (Book)

Mahatme Sheep Farm Training and Research Center

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Padma Shri awarded ophthalmologist and Rajya Sabha member provides direction of stable livelihood to dhangar community with sheep farming



“I belong to Dhangar shepherd community. They are nomadic tribe known to be wandering mainly in forests, hills and mountains for livelihood. I aspired them to have stable stay with regular occupation. Horticulture farming is high risk venture and I was sure it would not interest them much hence I decided for sheep farming. In today’s time people don’t like preachers at all instead they follow those who are actually doing what they talk! So I decided to set up a model sheep farm,” says Dr. Vikas Mahatme, renowned ophthalmologist in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He established Mahatme Sheep Farm Training and Research Center in 2014 at Rui village on the outskirts of Nagpur city, Maharashtra. He shares more details on sheep farming and his farm. Excerpts:
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Dr. Vikas Mahatme


Sheep farming is an extremely unwavering business that can help the people to get money instantly. Meat demand is growing hence whenever the family needs money they can sell the sheep and have money. Hence, I call sheep as ATM. Besides, we are encouraging women of the house to take up sheep farming as they are amazingly brilliant in multitasking while the men can take up some day job. In this way the earning per family is balanced and reasonably good than before when they were merely wandering at unknown locations.


It was important to set up the model farm because of two reasons. First, people trust those who do the things because talking is the easiest thing to do but doing the same on field is tough. Secondly, it was important to run a farm to showcase all the aspects of sheep farming so that people can visualize and replicate. In addition they can always visit in case of guidance or help. This laid the foundation of Mahatme Sheep Farm Training and Research Center.


The farm was started with 2 ram and 3 eves. Today the herd size has grown to 129 sheep. We brought 2 NARI Suwarna sheep ram from Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Phaltan, Maharashtra. We particularly selected this breed ram because they have the ability to produce twin lambs. The eves we use is the local sheep breed found in Vidarbha region. When the eves gives twin lamb the farmer prospers at double pace so it becomes more sustainable.


Entire herd is vaccinated as per the recommended schedule on time in order to ensure good health of the sheep. At the farm we stall fed the sheep with a mix of green and dry fodder. Little quantity fodder is grown within the farm premises while the rest is purchased from the market. The people from Dhangar community who take up sheep farming are encouraged to take the sheep for stroll in day but return back to their homes in evening. In our region, the sheep is bought and sold as per animal count not according to weight! One adult sheep is sold approximately at Rs. 3000-3500.


Other than selling sheep for meat, farmers soon will be able to sell its wool. Eventually the wool was used only for making blankets but as the demand for these blankets became nil, the wool purchase was also stopped. Nevertheless, once again farmers will be able to sell wool for the purpose of extracting amino acids from it to make a plant growth promoter. Hence, it shall be an add on income that shall further encourage people of Dhangar community to take up sheep farming.


In time to come, we are planning to make sheep farming a much more organized sector and bring profits from all aspects. We are working on new innovative techniques to utilize every part of sheep after the slaughter so that it becomes environment friendly and improves the earning potential. We are also working on the program through which we will give the lamb from our farm to these farmers for the weight gain. Once it turns into adult we shall purchase it back from them. It is still in the planning stage hopefully shall be implemented soon.


People of Dhangar community are slowly getting convinced to take sheep farming and be steady with their movement seeing our model farm. To further strengthen the operations we seek government help to provide the infrastructure like shade, water sources, secured market and so on.


Sheep farming is highly recommended to every farmer even those who are into horticulture because it gives the sense of financial security to the farmers that they will get money when in need. Consequently this security raises the confidence to survive all the unpredictable and not-in-control problems and challenges. It is 100% mandatory for stress free life of farmers!


Dr. Vikas Mahatme is an Indian social worker, eye-specialist and member of the Rajya Sabha. He is recipient of fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, Padma Shri for his notable work as an ophthalmologist. Besides his philanthropist activities are well-known in the country.


(As told to Shweta Dhanuka)


Contact details:

Mahatme Sheep Farm Training and Research Center

Farm Address: Rui Village, Nagpur District, Maharashtra

Correspondence Address: 16, Central Excise Colony, Ring Road, Chhatrapati Sq., Nagpur – 440 015, Maharashtra

Phone: 0712- 2222556, 2222553

Email: mp.mahatme@sansad.nic.in , octance@gmail.com
 

Business Opportunities in Agriculture: 150 Field Interviews (Book)

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