WARANGAL: Even as Telangana government has started distribution of sheep to shepherds under sheep rearing scheme across the state, shepherds of Warangal rural district are a worried lot as they are finding it difficult to get good breed of sheep at affordable price.
The beneficiaries who went to purchase sheep from Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh along with veterinary officials, found it very difficult to find good breed of sheep as the shepherds there have jacked up the prices of sheep.
“We found it very difficult to find good breed of sheep. We are expected to purchase one sheep at a cost of `5,000, whereas they are demanding `12,000. After great difficulty I was able to get a sheep for myself. But in the unit of 21 sheep, I was forced to buy 4 to 5 old sheep. It would be a loss to me,” a beneficiary from Cherlapally village of Parkal mandal, who did not want to identify himself, told Express.
In fact, the first batch of shepherd appealed to district collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil to allow them to purchase sheep from Kurnool district where a large number of good breed of sheep are available. However, the collector clearly told them that it was not possible as each district has been allotted a place in other states from where they have to purchase sheep.
After hearing collector’s clarification, many beneficiaries got disappointed and are in a dilemma. However, collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil claimed that while purchasing sheep in a lot it is but natural that some old sheep may also be purchased.