Livestock Development : A Case Study Of Sheep & Goat Development Programmes In Mahabubnaga District – Joint Director (AH), Mahabubnagar

 
INTRODUCTION :

Mahabubnagar District is endowed with rich livestock resources and the district ranks first in the State with 41.64 lakh Sheep and 6.85 lakh Goat population. Nearly 70,000 Shepherd families are dependent on sheep rearing for their livelihood.

Deccani and Nellore are the predominant sheep breeds in the district and slowly the Nellore breed is increasing in numbers. Keeping in view of problems in wool shearing in Deccani Sheep and increased growth rate / early weight gains in Nellore Sheep, the Sheep rearers are showing interest in introduction of Nellore Rams into their flocks and shifting towards converting their flocks into Nellore breed.

Mostly the Extensive system (range method) of sheep rearing is followed in the district and more than 40% of the sheep flocks migrate out of the district to adjacent districts every year during Dec – January in search of grazing. The flocks will return back to the district during July – August.

Due to illiteracy, superstitions coupled with ignorance, most of the shepherds are not following the scientific methods of rearing thus encountering disease outbreaks resulting in production losses.

SHEEP DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES BY ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT:

1. A. Disease control measures: The following vaccinations are carried out in a campaign mode by the Department free of cost for the control of Bacterial and Viral diseases.

i) E.T Vaccination: Will be conducted during May – June every year in all sensitive villages covering 10.00 lakh sheep population.
ii) Sheep Pox Vaccination: Will be conducted during Sep-Oct months in endemic and sensitive villages.
iii) PPR Vaccination: It is included in National Programme and every Year 2 vaccinations will be conducted covering entire population.

B. Sheep & Goat Deworming Programme: The Department is conducting Sheep & Goat Deworming Programme twice a year i.e. during June – July and Dec-Jan for the control of parasitic infestation in sheep and goats. free of cost. . Mobile Veterinary Teams visit the Sheep Flocks villages wise as per schedule and conduct the deworming programme by drenching deworming medicines free of cost.

1. C. Sheep Insurance Scheme: To minimize the production losses and overcome the calamities, the Government have introduced Sheep Insurance Scheme from 2006-07 and the scheme is in vogue since then. The premium rates and coverage is shown below.

Sl.No	Age Group of Sheep	Insurance period	Total Premium Rs.	Beneficiary Contribution including Service tax Rs.	Government contribution Rs.	Compensation to be paid in case death of animal Rs.
1	Young ( 4 months to 12 months)	One year	49.63	19.63	30.00	1000
2	Adult (1yr to 7 years)	One Year	99.27	39.27	60.00	2000

M/s. United India Insurance Company is doing sheep Insurance in the district. However, the enrollment under Sheep Insurance is not progressive inspite of efforts from the department.

1. D. Bhed Palak Bima Yojana: Is a social security scheme introduced by the GOI through Central Wool Development Board & LIC of India for the Sheep Growers of wooly sheep. The premium rates are shown below.

Sl.No	Age Group of Sheep growers	Insurance period	Total Premium Rs.	Beneficiary Contribution including Service tax Rs.	Government (CWDB) contribution Rs.	LIC contribution	Compensation to be paid in case death of Insurer Rs.
1	18 to 56 years	One year	330	80	150.00	100	60,000

The compensation will be doubled in case of accidental death and permanent disability will also be covered. The children of the Insured studying between 9^th to 12^th will also be given study incentive of Rs. 100/- per month.

1. E. Payment of Exgratia of Rs. 1.00 lakh: Government Vide G.O.Ms.No. 64 Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries (AH.III) Dept. Dt. 31.08.2009 issued orders for payment of exgratia of Rs. 1.00 lakh to the family members of the sheep rearers in case of accidental death of sheep rearer due to unavoidable life risks while in the activity of sheep rearing.

FORMATION OF DISTRICT SHEEP BREEDERS COOPERATIVE UNION:

The District Sheep Breeders Cooperative Union, Mahabubnagar is formed during the year 1993 and registered vide No. 2620/AHS/93 as a Cooperative Society under the A.P. Cooperative Societies Act 7 of 1964.

All the Primary Sheep Breeders Cooperative Societies formed at Revenue Village level are members of the District Union by contributing Rs. 6110/- towards their membership contribution.

The elected Governing Bodies have managed activities of the District Union upto 2003 and from 07.06.2003 to 30.08.2010, the District Union was under the control of Person Incharges. The newly elected Governing Body formed on 31.08.2010.

At present there are 856 registered Primary Sheep Breeders Co-Op. Societies (PSBCS) with a membership of 56,852 Sheep and Goat Breeders. All the Societies are unaided. At present there are 462 active societies are functioning in the district.

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE DISTRICT UNION:

1. Sanction of IRDP Loans to the 649 Members of PSBCS during the years 1999 to 2003 with a subsidy component of Rs. 1.00 Crore through DRDA, Mahabubnagar.
2. Coordination with the Animal Husbandry Department and active involvement in implementation of Sheep & Goat Development activities and disease control programmes.
3. Implementation of CWDP programmes in Clusters during the years 1997-2000 & 2005-06.
4. Implementation of Disease Control Action Plan during the year 1998-99 for the control of Immature Amphistomiasis and Awareness creation.
5. Implementation of SRDP Programme in 2 clusters during 2000-2003.
6. F. Conduct of Awareness programmes in the District for the control of Blue Tongue Disease during the year 2000 -2001.
7. G. Procurement of 500 Sq. Yards of land at District head quarters for construction of own new building to the district union during the year 2000 and with the contribution of Public Representatives under M.P. lads, the construction of new building to the District Union  is recently completed and occupied.
8. H. Supply of 542 Breeding Rams to the Members of Societies under RSVY Programme and coordination of Awareness programmes and Sheep Extension Workers Training Programme during the years 2006-07.
9. Coordination of Mass PPR Vaccination programme during the year 2006.
10. Coordination in Chief Minister’s Jeeva Kranthi Pathakam & RKVY in the district from 2007-08. Supply of Quality Breeding Rams & Sheep Units on 5% subsidy to the members of the Societies with an outlay of Rs. 118.62 lakhs.
11. First district to grab the opportunity of sanction of Sheep Market Yard under CMJKP 2007-08. Procurement of 5.00 Acres of Government Land at Pothulamadugu (V) of Bhootpur mandal on NH 7 and construction of Sheep Market Yard as per model design provided by NABCON.
12. Regular Audit of the accounts of the District Union.
13. The Fixed Deposits available with District Union are Rs. 1,23,45,524/- as on 31.03.2010.

FUTURE PLANS:

1. Development of Sheep Market Yard as a model in the district.
2. Construction of Rural Abbatoir at Market Yard and supply of whole meat to the State Capital under branded name.
3. Implement the developmental programmes and mandate given by the State Federation.
4. Implementation of Clusters approach for regular Health care, followup, disease control and awareness for overall development of Small ruminants.
5. To start Mobile Veterinary Vehicles in clusters on the lines of 108 services for better Healthcare of Small Ruminants.
6. Activation of all societies and effective implementation of developmental programmes.