New hope for failing sheep, goat owners

The Statesman, Jan 9, 2009
Statesman News Service

BHAWANIPATNA, Jan 8: Even though the meat from the district is famous for its special flavour and quality, the production and marketing of livestock in Bhawanipatna has reportedly been below standard due to several factors, including lack of infrastructure, an improper marketing network, irregular vaccination and treatment of livestock, as well as a shortage of available quality breeding centres.
The district has a sizeable livestock population with 86,946 sheep and 223,723 goats, according to a survey by the Veterinary Department. However, sheep and goat owners, traditionally from the economically weaker sections of society, are unable to raise adequate profit despite several schemes launched in the past by the district authorities to promote the sale of meat from the region.
In order to support and encourage sheep rearing, the National Ram and Buck Production Programme was launched in the district in 1992-93, and a sheep rearing farm was started at Jaring soon after, sources said. However in the year 2002 the Directorate of Animal Husbandry ordered the closure of the farm in Jaring, citing high mortality in the sheep as his reason to relocate the farm to Chipilima.
Attempts are now being made to revive the Jaring farm once again, raising the hopes of the animal farmers in the district. An investment of Rs 52 lakhs has been put aside by the Directorate of Veterinary Services, with plans to set up the farm for SGSY beneficiaries. This time, efforts are being made to rear goats instead of sheep in an effort to improve the genetic make-up of the local stock and induce higher growth rate and production. Besides, the climatic condition of the region is better suited to goat rearing, sources said.