Livestock plays an important role in Indian economy. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Today, no one knows the names of India’s fast-vanishing indigenous cattle breeds anymore and hardly anyone cares. Traditional cowshed management practices are dead and forgotten. India faces an acute fodder shortage that has left drought-hit farmers and livestock vulnerable. These indigenous cow breeds can act as a silver bullet in tackling the impending crisis.

Bhavyata Foundation has initiated a rural project for creating a sustainable environment for the preservation of the Dangi breeds in the neighbouring villages of Murbad Taluka of Thane district, along with rural architecture of water, fodder availability and storage facilities for perishable commodity like milk. Currently, we created a support system by way for rural – urban linkages to supply the daily milk of these indigenous breeds of cows from villages to city of Mumbai. Total Dangi cattle population in this belt numbers upto 3500, which are already sheltered amongst individual residents of villages in their own homes as one of their family members. In the current situation majority of the farmers are not capable to economically sustain their cattle, thus recognising the need for proper conservation and care.

Bhavyata Foundation supports the farmers amd locals by support for market linkages, while strengthening rural infrastructure and conserving natural resources to generate sustained livelihoods by agriculture and dairy farming.