For many rural households, livestock, particularly goats, serve as a living bank – a “rural ATM” that provides financial stability in times of need. In a country where agricultural success is heavily dependent on the whims of monsoons, these small ruminants offer a vital safety net. They not only contribute significantly to India’s agricultural economy but also act as a buffer against crop failures due to erratic rainfall.

Despite the cultural and economic importance of goats in tribal communities, maintaining healthy herds has been a persistent challenge. Seasonal outbreaks of diseases like Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) often decimate entire village herds, leaving farmers in financial ruin. The situation is exacerbated by poor housing conditions, with livestock often kept in dark, damp environments alongside household junk, increasing the risk of infections and disease outbreaks.

Recognizing these challenges, the Gram Nirman team has devised a simple yet effective solution: raised or elevated platforms for goat rearing. This local and replicable innovation aims to minimize goat mortality in intervention villages by preventing infectious situations that lead to weight loss, foot and mouth diseases, and ultimately, goat mortality

The raised platforms introduced by Caritas India’s Gram Nirman program are a marvel of simplicity and effectiveness in their design. These structures are meticulously crafted using locally sourced bamboo, a material chosen for its abundance, strength, and sustainability in the region. The platforms are elevated approximately one meter from the ground, a height carefully calculated to provide optimal protection from ground-level dampness and potential flooding during monsoons. This elevation also creates a healthier environment for the goats by improving air circulation and reducing exposure to parasites and pathogens that thrive in moist soil.

Each goat is allocated a generous floor space of 0.75 to 1 square meter, ensuring ample room for movement and rest. This spacious design not only promotes the physical well-being of the animals but also reduces stress and aggression among the herd. Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of the platform’s design is the 1 cm spacing between the bamboo slats that form the floor. This clever feature allows for efficient waste management, as the goats’ droppings and urine easily pass through the gaps, falling to the ground below. This natural drainage system keeps the platform clean and dry, significantly reducing the risk of bacterial growth and disease transmission.

The impact of this simple innovation has been remarkable. In Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh and Ranchi districts, 29 out of 104 goat rearers have already adopted these platforms after receiving initial training and awareness

Lalita Toppo from Kojeya village, Hazaribagh, shares her experience: “My goats look shiny and fresh now, and I can clean their house without much effort. I used to find it challenging to stoop down and clean it, but these days I find it lot simpler

“Jogeshwar Munda from Dumargarih village, Ranchi district, adds, “It was so simple, in just one day we have done this. We will try and hope that they will stay safe and put on weight because of this simple initiative, to increase our profit from selling our goats during the Holi festival”

The raised platform initiative is just one part of Caritas India’s comprehensive approach to sustainable livestock management. Since 2021, the Gram Nirman team, in collaboration with local veterinary departments, has been providing training on various aspects of livestock management, including Shed management, Feed and fodder management, Disease management and Breed improvement.

Beyond the raised platforms, the Gram Nirman program takes a comprehensive approach to livestock management. The team provides training on various aspects, including shed management, feed and fodder management, disease management, and breed improvement. They have also implemented other local solutions such as Azolla pits for nutritional supplements, salt cakes to minimize iodine deficiency, wooden logs in pig sheds, limestone footbaths to prevent outside infections, ethno-veterinary medicines, and bio-security practices to avoid zoonotic diseases

Through these innovative and locally-adapted solutions, Caritas India’s Gram Nirman program is not just improving livestock management – it’s empowering rural communities, strengthening financial security, and fostering sustainable development. By turning simple ideas into powerful tools for change, Gram Nirman is truly living up to its name, building villages from the ground up, one raised platform at a time.