A-HELP: MoU between DoRD and DAHD

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Department of Animal husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) and Department of Rural Development (DoRD) signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to help increase outreach of DAHD schemes and enhance sustainability.

DAHD and MoRD will leverage SHG (Self-Help Groups) platform for rural economic growth through convergence of DAHD and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development.

Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP) Is a new accredited model to use the services of the members of the SHGs as livestock resource persons and primary service provider.
This model will be implemented across the country by using the existing cadre developed under DAY-NRLM for livestock (Pashusakhis) by providing further training and accreditation as A-HELP worker.

Through flagship schemes
- AHIDF (Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund)
- DIDF (Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund)
- NADCP (National Animal Disease Control Program) for FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) and Brucellosis.
Government has approved implementation of a Special Livestock Sector Package consisting of several activities by revising and realigning various components of existing schemes to have focused development of animal husbandry and dairying across the country for next 5 years starting from 2021-22.
Department of Rural development is also working for rural upliftment through various programmes where more women are involved in livelihood activities, especially in the livestock sector.

DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission) has been supporting farm livelihood sector both through backward and forward linkages.
Support is being provided through cadre of pashu sakhis who are being trained through structured modules as part of training and capacity building architecture and are providing services by handholding the Mahila Kisans through Pashu Pathsalas and services at the doorstep of farmers.
The mission has more than 40,000 Pashusakhis in their fold. It will help in increasing the outreach of DAHD schemes through these community cadres and also help in additional earning for the cadres thus supporting in enhancing their sustainability.