DIVING INTO LALITA BALIA’S PIG FARMING JOURNEY-

Shift from Traditional to Systematic Practices

-Prasanta Debbarma

Lalita Balia Jamatia takes us through her journey of resilience belonging to the remote village of Sangkatrampara. The village is located in the Jampuijala development block of Sepahijala district, Tripura. Her transition from traditional crop-based farming to scientific pig farming exemplifies her spirit of entrepreneurship budding and thriving within her community. She is an active member of Yapari Baksa Self Help Group (SHG) under Authakri Village Organisation (VO).

Lalita lives with her husband Phlia Joy Jamatia, son, Bishal Jamatia, and daughter-in-law, Muli Jamatia. Belonging to a modest household, her present source of income is paddy cultivation, rubber plantation, and pig farming. The year 2019 was a starting point for her when she used up her savings from her rubber plantation. With the support of her son, she started with the initial step of buying 12 pigs of the Yorkshire breed. She also invested 1.5 lakh to construct a scientific shed for the pigs as she wanted to kick start it as her primary business. However, in 2020, she faced a disastrous setback as she lost all her pigs to a disease that had crept in and spread rapidly. This devastating loss did not hold her back and she bounced back to restart it. She started saving further from her rubber sales determined to rebuild her venture.

Three years into persistent efforts and savings, she started her pig business again with 11 pigs. At present, two of the pigs are pregnant and she expects to earn quite a lump sum if healthy piglets are born. Although her initial investment per month adds up to twenty thousand, she is committed religiously to her venture to make it a success.

Overcoming Challenges for Further Growth

Lalita, embarking on her pig farming journey with no prior knowledge, faced several significant challenges. Initially, her only sources of information were YouTube tutorials and the assistance of her younger son. This rudimentary learning method left many gaps in her understanding of effective pig farming practices.

A critical aspect of pig farming is maintaining the health of the animals. Lalita, realizing this, connected with the veterinary office for guidance on vaccinations and treatments. However, this connection was sporadic due to her limited financial resources and lack of formal training in animal healthcare.

Water supply was another hurdle. To address this, Lalita invested in a motor pump to ensure a steady flow of water for the pigs, which is essential for their hygiene and health. This investment was a strain on her already meager savings, emphasizing the financial tightrope she walked daily.

One of the most pressing issues Lalita faced was the lack of proper feeding management. Without training, she struggled to provide a balanced diet to her pigs, which is crucial for their growth and productivity. This knowledge gap likely affected the health and market readiness of her livestock.

Lalita’s situation was further compounded by her non-enrollment in any governmental or agricultural schemes that could have provided financial aid or training opportunities. This left her to rely solely on her limited resources and the informal help available within her community.

For market linkage, Lalita depended on a family member involved in pig selling at the Udaipur market. This connection was vital for her to access potential buyers, though it did not guarantee the best prices or stable demand for her pigs.

The current monthly expenditure on feeding, transportation, and vaccinations amounts to approximately 20,000 INR. This includes the costs of buying feed and ensuring the pigs are transported safely and vaccinated regularly.

Financially, the family is seeing some returns from their pig farming venture. This financial year, they have 11 pigs, with two pregnant. By selling piglets in the wholesale market, they can earn between 3,000 to 6,000 INR per piglet. If they manage to sell all their piglets at these rates, they can potentially earn a substantial income, depending on the number of piglets born and sold. And this coming month they are planning income generation from this pig farming around three lakh and ten thousand in the upcoming month. From this, the expenditure including feed, transportation, and vaccination in this ninth month is around one lakh and eighty thousand and the net profit is around one lakh and thirty thousand.

Despite the initial struggles, Lalita’s family has managed to sustain their pig farming business. However, the high costs and lack of formal training continue to be significant hurdles. With better access to training programs and financial schemes, they could improve their farming practices and profitability.

Their health conditions and overall well-being are intricately tied to the success of their venture, as their income from pig farming directly impacts their ability to cover medical and living expenses.

Lalita, determined to improve and expand her pig farming business in the Jampuijala area, has set her sights on acquiring proper training and financial support in the upcoming year.

Recognizing the challenges posed by her initial lack of knowledge, Lalita aims to enroll in formal training programs offered by various line departments and also support from the SeSTA. These programs would provide her with essential skills in feeding management, breeding, and disease prevention, enhancing the efficiency and productivity of her farm.

Financial support is another critical area Lalita plans to address. She intends to explore various government schemes and subsidies tailored for small-scale farmers. These programs could offer grants or low-interest loans, allowing her to invest in better infrastructure, such as improved housing for the pigs and advanced feeding systems. Additionally, Lalita might consider microfinance options or cooperative society memberships, which could provide her with the necessary capital to scale her operations.

Market linkage is crucial for the sustainable growth of her business. Lalita plans to strengthen her connections with wholesalers and retailers in Udaipur and other nearby markets. She could also explore direct-to-consumer sales channels, such as farmers’ markets or online platforms, to maximize her profits. Engaging in local agricultural fairs and networking events could help her establish a broader customer base and form valuable partnerships.

In the coming years, Lalita envisions expanding her pig farming business by increasing the number of pigs and diversifying her product offerings. This might include processing and selling pork products directly, which could significantly boost her income. She also hopes to implement sustainable farming practices, ensuring the long-term viability of her farm and contributing to the local economy.

By focusing on training, financial support, and market linkage, Lalita is poised to transform her pig farming venture into a thriving business. Her proactive approach and dedication to continuous learning and improvement will undoubtedly pave the way for her success in the coming years.

A Beacon of Inspiration

Today, her pig farming business stands as a beacon of inspiration in the village. It showcases how determination and strategic investment can transform one’s livelihood. Her success has encouraged other villagers to explore similar ventures, contributing to the overall economic development of the community.

Her journey from cultivating vegetables and paddy to managing a successful pig farm is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of rural women. It highlights the importance of diversification in farming and the impact of supportive family dynamics in achieving business success. As she continues to expand her farm, she remains a symbol of hope and progress, proving that with hard work and determination, even the most modest beginnings can lead to prosperous futures.