VIJAYAWADA: Rearing an Ongole bull is a matter of prestige, observes a farmer Movva Prasada Rao of Tippanagunta village in Krishna district.
The farmer brought his animal to the Ongole Bull competition being organised by Vallabhaneni Aruna Memorial Trust and Kodali Mallikharjuna Rao Trust, near Gannavaram, in Krishna district from January 5. He said rearing Ongole bulls was a profitable fare.
Rayapati Visweswara Rao, trainer of the Ongole bulls of Minister for Cooperation Ramireddy Venkata Reddy, said he had brought two pairs of bulls for the competition.
The farmer has to spend Rs 500 everyday to feed Ongole bull. The menu includes horse gram, dates, ragi malt, maize, cow milk and grass. The farmers offer coconut water to the bulls in summer to protect them from heat.
Zilla Parishad chairman and Ongole Bull Rearing Farmers' Welfare Association general secretary Kukkala Nageswara Rao's Ongole bulls were also brought for the competition.
A farmer Gotike Nagi Reddy of Kurnool district, who is training the bulls of Nageswara Rao, said that the cattle shows would help improve the breed of Ongole bull, which is on the verge of extinction.
Another farmer from Movva village said the demand for Ongole bulls depends on its winning chances. He brought four bulls one of which had won the first prize last year.
Expressing happiness over arrangements at the venue of the competition, a majority of farmers said the Government should encourage farmers to rear Ongole bulls by supplying feed at subsidised prices. Besides, insurance cover should be provided to the bulls.
The competitions are being organised under the supervision of Dr Vamsimohan chairman of Vallabhaneni Aruna Memorial Trust and Gudivada MLA Kodali Venkateswara Rao.
pvkrao@expressbuzz.com