Telangana: Second phase of sheep distribution deferred till June

Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said the second phase of sheep distribution scheme will be implemented without giving scope for any irregularities

Hyderabad: In view of rising Covid-19 cases and scorching temperatures, the State government has decided to defer the second phase of sheep distribution which will now be taken up in the last week of June, Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav announced here on Monday . Further, the Animal Husbandry department will now take up construction of sheds for the cattle making optimum use of NREGS funds.

Addressing a review meeting here, Srinivas Yadav said the second phase of sheep distribution scheme will be implemented without giving scope for any irregularities. He said about 77.06 lakh sheep were distributed to 3.66 lakh beneficiaries in the State during the first phase. “The State government had already allocated Rs 3,000 crore in the State budget for the scheme. But we have decided to take up the second phase of sheep distribution after the monsoon commences considering severe temperatures and fodder shortage in the State,” he said.

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The Minister said efforts have already begun to sell the sheep meat with the Telangana brand. He said construction of sheep markets also has been taken up in all districts where work already commenced in Peddapalli district. The construction of sheep markets in Kamareddy, Wanaparthy and Khammam districts will commence shortly, while the district collectors have been directed to identify and procure necessary land for the purpose in the remaining districts.

In a bid to support dairy farmers, the government decided to construct cattle sheds at an expenditure of Rs 57,000 each providing shelter for at least six cattle animals. The construction of about 3,631 of total 6,453 applicants has already been completed and the remaining sheds will be ready soon. The Minister instructed the animal husbandry officials to coordinate with the district collectors and the panchayat raj authorities to expedite the works.

To create awareness among farmers, Srinivas Yadav directed the officials to organise awareness workshops for farmers on the preventive measures to be taken for safeguarding the cattle, sheep and other domestic animals from illness. He said adequate stocks of medicines and vaccines are available for the animals. He pointed out that the State did not record any bird flu case due to these preventive measures. The officials were instructed to take all measures to reduce the shortage of fodder for these cattle in the State, by encouraging farmers to take up fodder cultivation.

The Minister appreciated the efforts of the field staff of the Animal Husbandry for their services even during the lockdown period in the State, which in turn improved the condition of farmers in the State and earning them an additional income source. He asked the officials to prepare an action plan for distribution of domestic chicken which will be supplied in the rural areas of the State. The officials were directed to make arrangements for laying the foundation stone to the proposed Centre of Excellence at Mamidipalli in May.

Animal Husbandry Secretary Anitha Rajendra, director Laxma Reddy and other officials were present.

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