Shepherds in Adilabad turn to WhatsApp to locate missing cattle

WhatsApp groups have become vital tools not just for staying informed on current affairs but also for solving daily challenges in rural communities.

Adilabad: While some individuals may be misusing the WhatsApp platform to spread fake news, such as rumours about tiger movements in Adilabad district, however, local shepherds and farmers are increasingly harnessing the popular messaging platform for more constructive purposes: tracing their missing cattle.

Gone are the days when shepherds would engage labourers to search for their lost livestock. Now, they post details of missing animals in local WhatsApp groups, enabling quicker and more cost-effective recoveries.

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“I posted details of a cow that went missing recently on a local WhatsApp group. The message was widely shared across other groups. A youngster from a neighbouring village took photos of the cow and shared them in a group, helping me trace it,” said Karu Kiran, a shepherd from Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.

WhatsApp groups have become vital tools not just for staying informed on current affairs but also for solving daily challenges in rural communities. Farmers and shepherds say they are saving time and money, while also improving communication across villages.

In addition to tracking and tracing animals, they are also using mobile phones to watch farming-related videos, listen to music, and engage with digital content during grazing hours.