The State Government programme to uplift the livelihoods of Yadava and Kurma communities by distributing sheep units is drawing mixed responses from among intended beneficiaries in the district.
Sheep farmers from one of the first villages that received the units – Annareddygudem and G.K. Annaram in Nalgonda mandal here said the quality of sheep was compromised even as the prices, including for the less-than-a-month-olds was kept at a premium.
“A good quality ewe costs not more than ₹ 7,000, a ram lamb ₹ 5,000 and a young lamb for ₹ 1,000. The whole unit can be bought at ₹ 85,000,” said S. Lingaiah, a beneficiary in the village.
Each applicant selected by a lottery for the first phase received a unit comprising 20 sheep and a ram at 75 % subsidy. Till date, a total of 201 units have been distributed in the district.
“We were not allowed to choose from the lot. Sheep are aged or are lambs. How will it be profitable? It will not make our lives better,” they said.
They also alleged that the sheep traders inflated prices owing to the demand and the animal’s quality does not match the quoted price.
However, the composition of each unit was arrived at after considering sheep’s breeding and production calendar – both for immediate and its future generations, Joint Director Animal Husbandry C.H. Ramesh said.
It was also decided to purchase ‘Nellore breed’ sheep for its meat giving ability, which would also suit the agro-climatic conditions here.
“For this district, sheep are bought from Guntur and Prakasam districts to ensure there is no inter-sale of livetsock among districts, and it would also improve sheep population,” Mr. Ramesh said.
On the claims made by farmers that they were not allowed to choose sheep from the lot, Mr. Ramesh said, “Doctors present at the market would only show the sheep lots, and they are sold only after the farmers are convinced,” he said.
The current population of sheep in the district of about 8.8 lakhs would shoot up after the total distribution of 63, 210 units is completed by next year, Mr. Ramesh said.
