TOR for Video Consultancy - Backyard Poultry Coop

About SELCO Foundation 

SELCO Foundation’s mission is to create a platform of solutions that uses sustainable energy as a  catalyst to bridge environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. With holistic development as  the primary focus, the organization strives to create equitable societies, where services are  accessed by all communities. The interventions of SELCO lead to a sustainable delivery model of  essential services like livelihoods, education, and health till the last mile. (Read more about SELCO  here: http://www.selcofoundation.org/ )  

About Built Environment 

The aim of the built environment program is to democratize access to design of livable habitats to  address poverty and climate challenges in a climate-stressed world by integrating energy  optimization through an ecosystem approach. Underserved communities are usually at the  receiving end of the worst impacts of climate change coupled with improper ventilation, natural  lighting and thermal conditions; the cost of building resilience and comfort is generally high. The  overall energy performance of built environments is influenced by people, units and climate. Hence,  innovations need to integrate energy optimization in the application of technologies and the  environment of built spaces. 

 Background 

In India, the livelihoods of 20.5 million people depend on livestock management, a sector where  3/4th of the labor force are women. Serving as both a primary and secondary source of income,  animal husbandry acts as a crucial safety net, preventing individuals from slipping further into poverty. The decentralized nature of this practice not only fosters local food systems, curbing  emissions associated with large-scale production, but also guarantees food and nutritional security  at the community level. Furthermore, by generating employment opportunities and helping small  businesses, decentralized animal husbandry plays a pivotal role in supporting and strengthening  rural economies. 

For small and marginal farmers who engage in poultry rearing as primary, secondary or tertiary  source of income, high capital investment in shed construction is difficult. The sheds are usually set  up ad-hoc in an unsustainable and inefficient way, leading to various challenges that directly and  indirectly affect their production and income. Moreover, with the increase in climate change  impacts, they are not able to build resilience and security in these livelihoods in the long run. Some  of the problem statements identified in such livelihoods include: 

• Heat and cold stress, safety conditions and shed management practices result in reduced  weights, higher mortality, egg production and lower hatchability among the poultry birds.
• Increased predator attacks are observed due to lack of proper sheds, leading to loss of birds  and eggs. 
• Lack of dedicated egg laying and hatching areas have led to increased chances of egg  breakage and affecting egg laying. 
• Improper shed management techniques have increased the disease and mortality rates  among the birds. 

Scope of Work