Mysuru :
Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Corporation Ltd (KSWDCL) has plans to set up Sheep Breeders’ Union, similar to that of Milk Unions in the State, said KSWDCL Chairman Panditrao Chidri, here this morning.
Addressing the press persons at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in city, he said that the KSWDCL had decided to the set up unions across the State to help the sheep breeders to secure more funds from the State Government.
Chidri said that he planned to set up a total of 1,000 sheep breeders’ unions in the State and later, a federation of sheep breeders’ unions. Adding that farmers were being granted various loans in the State, Chidri said that State Government had announced Rs. 1.20 crore for purchase of 20 sheep and one Ram under the ‘Pashu Bhagya’ scheme. This apart, he also mentioned that sheep breeders were granted an interest-free loan of Rs. 50 lakh through District Co-operative Central (DCC) Banks in the State.
He also added that considering the increase in the number of sheep deaths in State, the KSWDCL had announced for compulsory vaccination of sheep to avoid them being infected by diseases and said that vaccinations worth Rs. 2 crore had been procured by KSWDCL.
Chidri also announced that 18 ambulances have been purchased to check for sheep diseases throughout the State. The ambulances will work similar to that of 108 ambulances and visit various places to check for sheep diseases based on the complaints received.
He also added that the KSWDCL had already distributed compensation of Rs. 8 crore for sheep breeders in the State and said that another Rs. 1.5 crore was pending to be distributed.
Adding that sheep breeders were being cheated in the market, Chidri said that a Committee headed by an IAS officer had been formed to look into the irregularities in the sheep market and also added that the KSWDCL would soon install about 50 weighing machines at sheep markets across the State at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to help breeders weigh their sheep scientifically.
The KSWDCL has taken up artificial insemination of sheep in the State to breed good quality of sheep and ‘Narisuvarna’ , a special sheep breed from Maharashtra would be brought to the State to help in production of good breed, said Chidri.
Adding that the Chief Minister Siddharamaiah had granted Rs. 100 crore for KSWDCL, Chidri said that though the KSWDCL was started in 1974 during Devaraja Urs regime as CM, it was being granted only Rs. 6 crore per year as funds. He said that State Government had also been asked to announce support price for wool.
The KSWDCL has already organised sheep breeders’ conventions in 19 districts and plans to organise a State-level convention at Davanagere soon, said Chidri.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com /Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday -July 08th, 2015