The newly formed 29th State of Union of India is very much interested in the welfare of the farmers and towards doubling the farmers income, and increase in the population of the buffaloes, the state Government has introduced the scheme to introduce the subsidy to the dairy farmers. So that they can start their own business of dairy.As per the Government estimates, there are a total of 90.5 lakh cattle (including buffalo) in the 31 districts of Telangana. The three north Telangana districts of Nirmal, Adilabad & Kumaram Bheem Asifabad have the highest density of cattle population with 600-750 cattle for every 1000 population.
The Telangana State Government will soon give subsidy buffaloes to over 2.17 lakh dairy farmers at a cost of Rs 800 crore. Each buffalo costs nearly Rs 80,000 and the Government will bear 50 percent subsidy. Minister for animal husbandry Talasani Srinivas Yadav held a meeting at the Secretariat with department officials to finalize the modalities for the scheme. Mr Yadav said the file pertaining to implementation of the scheme has been sent to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for approval.
Telangana accounts for 3.5 percent of India’s total geographical area and 2.9 percent of population and ranks 12th both in geographical area and population among Indian States. The State is newly formed 29th State in India and blessed with rich livestock resources especially cattle and Sheep population accounting to 5.52 percent of country’s population. Rural population in the State is predominantly agricultural with more than 2/3 of its workforce being engaged directly in the agriculture sector.
About 29 lakh families in Telangana State are engaged in livestock sector for their livelihood. The value of livestock produce is estimated to be Rs. 12403 crores at current prices and the livestock sector contributes 4.86 percent to GSDP (2010-11 Third Revised Estimates).
The CM has signed the file recently and the scheme will soon come into force. It is aimed to encourage dairy sector in state,” Mr Yadav said.
