By Ankita Shelke & Fr Bento D'Souza for BIS Mumbai

Kolhewadi village witnessed the inauguration of the Micro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (MEDP) on Poultry Rearing on February 24, 2026, supported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and facilitated by Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK), Ahilyanagar. The programme was formally inaugurated through the hands of Mr Pathare, District Development Manager (DDM), NABARD.

The MEDP initiative is designed to strengthen rural livelihoods by equipping women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to initiate and manage micro-enterprises in poultry rearing. With a focus on practical training and entrepreneurship development, the programme seeks to create sustainable income opportunities at the village level.

In his address during the inauguration, Mr Pathare highlighted the importance of skill-based interventions that enable rural women to become financially independent. He emphasized that poultry rearing, when undertaken with proper training and scientific management practices, can serve as a steady and reliable source of supplementary income for families. He encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, clarify doubts, and make the most of the opportunity provided under the NABARD-supported MEDP framework. BGVK Director, Fr George D’Abreo also guided the women and encouraged them to be consistent during the training and gain valuable knowledge.

BGVK, as the facilitating agency, will ensure systematic implementation of the training modules over the coming weeks. The programme includes sessions on basic poultry management, selection of breeds, feed and nutrition, vaccination and disease control, housing management, financial literacy, and market linkages. The approach combines classroom inputs with practical exposure, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience and confidence in managing small-scale poultry units.

The inauguration at Kolhewadi marks the beginning of a series of such trainings planned in other villages in the region over the next month. By expanding the programme to multiple locations, BGVK aims to reach a wider group of rural women, particularly those seeking alternative or supplementary livelihoods. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote women-led micro-enterprises and strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship in rural Maharashtra.

The MEDP on Poultry Rearing reflects a collaborative commitment to community-based development, where institutional support and local participation go hand in hand. Through capacity building, technical guidance, and sustained handholding, the programme aspires to transform small beginnings into stable sources of income.

With the active involvement of NABARD and the facilitation by BGVK, the initiative is expected to contribute meaningfully to enhancing household incomes, improving nutritional security, and fostering long-term socio-economic development in rural communities.