Sheep as wealth, shepherd as HR

Our scheme will generate massive wealth of 25,000 cr: KCR

Kondapaka (Siddipet dist): The Telangana government has launched a unique initiative to augment the income of one of the most backward sections of society, the shepherds. There are estimated 35 lakh shepherds (Golla, Kurma) in the state mostly living in penury in the rural hinterland.

Chief Minister K Chandrase­khar Rao on Tuesday launch­ed the unique scheme of providing sheep for over seven-lakh shepherd families at a hefty state subsidy. The state is importing sheep in a big way to meet the sudden rise in demand. More than one crore sheep will be distributed to the registered seven-lakh shepherds.

Telangana is one of the states that import meat despite production in the state, as the state ranks top in meat consumption. Hyderabad alone receives over 350 lorry loads of sheep every day to meet the demand for meat while the shepherds live with inadequate livelihood opportunities.

To bridge the gap between demand and supply of meat thereby significantly enhancing the income of these backward sections, the state government launched this new and innovative scheme. The state government is expected to spend Rs 5000 crore on this scheme.

Speaking on the occasion KCR expressed confidence that in a period of three years, the shepherds of Telangana will generate a wealth of Rs 25,000 crore. The shepherds of Telangana will be the richest in the country as compared to the people of their community in other states, the Chief Minister averred.

Besides distributing sheep at subsidised price, the scheme envisages a host of allied services to assist in sheep breeding. Hundred buses are being procured to launch mobile animal health clinics which would render sheep health services at the doorsteps of shepherds.

A toll free number ‘1962’ is also created to provide services to shepherds within 30 minutes of receiving a telephone call to the call centre.

A string of services like meat processing and wool preparation are expected to follow. To meet the fodder requirements, sheep will be allowed to graze in forest lands. The restrictions hither to in force would be lifted though such restrictions will continue on goats.

A massive programme to grow stylo grass, highly nutrient variety in forest lands, banjar, hilly and other uncultivable lands besides in fruit plantations are launched along with the sheep distribution scheme. The District Collectors and public representatives will take the initiative to arrange for a tie up between shepherds and fruit plantation owners.

Sheep does not cause any harm for grownup fruit plants. The shepherds will get access to fodder while the fruit growers will get organic manure thus it will be a win-win situation. The concerned authorities are asked to arrange for water supply to sheep during summer.

The shepherds who own land will also be eligible for subsidy on fertilizers as per the scheme recently launched by the state government which KCR describes as 'double bonanza' for them. The integrated sheep breeding scheme would also enable multiple benefits like making available organic manure to farmers which would help in lesser reliance on chemical fertilizers.

The Chief Minister rightly remarked that this is a new vision of human resources. The shepherds of Telangana have the skill and talent in sheep breeding. "A shepherd can exactly identify the sheep for its owner amongst hundreds which even an IAS officer cannot do, the Chief Minister remarked".

This skill needs to be harnessed to usher in prosperity in their families and yield massive income to the State economy too. Describing it as a new wave in understanding the concept of human resources and skill development, KCR said that similar schemes to empower farmers, fishermen, weavers, and most backward classes (MBCs) are being implemented to rejuvenate the sagging rural economy of Telangana.