Kurnool: As World Veterinary Day was celebrated on Saturday, severe drought conditions prevailing in various parts of Adoni division saw several goats, sheeps and buffalos being sent to slaughter houses. Animals were denied even drinking water and green fodder due to drought.
A cattle hostel built at Tadakanakallu, near Kurnool, houses 200 cattle. A plan to replicate such hostels did not take off in the district. Strangely, the district animal husbandry department chose to celebrate World Veterinary Day on Saturday at a posh three-star hotel, unmindful of the travails of the livestock.
Migrant labourers, who left their houses in search of livelihood, disposed the animals at throw away prices and they later, were taken to slaughterhouses in Hyderabad, said Eeranna, a marginal farmer at Tuggali.
Alur and Maddikera have been facing severe drought conditions. Fakkeerappa, a villager, said that a tank in Alur had totally dried up and unless there is a good bout of rains, there is no hope of replenishing the tank, he said.
Deputy director of animal husbandry Rama Chandraiah said that there was 8 per cent decrease in the livestock population when compared to the last census taken in 2012. He said that the district has 8.27 lakhs cows, buffaloes and ox, 20 lakh sheep and goats.
He said that drought impact in Adoni division is being tackled by providing fodder and feed. A village revamped input delivery system is in place to provide silage.
But a minimum of 18 tonnes order has to be placed. So instead of individual farmers, we are encouraging groups of farmers, with a minimum of 20 people, to place orders for silage, Mr Chandraiah said.
To a question on trends in decrease of animal population, he said that while indigenous cows are registering a year on year decrease, the high value animals are registering a rise in population. The government had distributed 2,300 jersey cows to the beneficiaries while self sustaining farmers bought them on their own. He denied that cows and buffaloes were sold away to slaughterhouses.
