In yet another scheme to boost farmers, who are relying on milk production and sale, the State government was planning to launch a Rs 800 crore project to give them buffalos on 50 per cent subsidy.
This was stated by Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav at a press conference after a review meeting held at Secretary on Saturday. He said Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao approved the scheme in principle to implement an estimated Rs 800-cr plan to distribute two lakh buffalos to the farmers on 50 per cent subsidy. The scheme has already been planned by the State government and was going to distribute some two lakh buffalos to them. As per estimates, some two 2 lakh farmers will benefit through the scheme which is first of its kind in the country.
The minister said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was keen on uplifting farmers and Yadavas, who have already been getting benefit of sheep scheme. The farmers will now have to bear Rs 40,000 subsidy amount against the total amount of Rs 80,000 for each buffalo. “We are bearing Rs 100 crore expenditure every year and released Rs 50 crore towards paying Rs 4 incentive per litre for supplying milk to the government dairies such as Vijaya Dairy in Lalapet and other three dairies. He also said a market yard in 200 acres will be set up on the city outskirts and plans are also on cards to promote meat export.
Admitting poor marketing facilities, the minister said steps are being taken to boost the sale of Vijaya milk and other products. Yadav said about 80 crore fish seed will be supplied free of cost to the revived 46,000 lakes, water bodies and ponds under Mission Kakatiya. It was also decided to distribute 50,000 two wheelers, 2,000 three wheelers and other materials at 75 per cent subsidy to fishermen for selling fish.
In Hyderabad alone, 150 mobile fish outlets and open fish markets in all mandals will be opened. So far, more than 58 lakh sheep units have been distributed among fishermen. To provide better health care services to the cattle, 100 more mobile vans will be added to the existing 100 vans and will develop 2,132 veterinary hospitals with all facilities. The Centre has announced an award to Telangana State under “Gopala Mitra Scheme”, he added. (NSS)