Telangana State to offer insurance to dairy farmer’s and shepherds’ livestock

Dairy farmers and shepherds in the State can now get their dead livestock replaced in case of their death due to road mishaps, lightning and other disasters. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao gave his nod to launch a contributory insurance scheme for the livestock purchased by individual dairy farmers and shepherds. The State government is currently providing insurance only for the livestock supplied to the beneficiaries under the cattle distribution and the sheep distribution schemes.

Both the dairy farmers and the shepherds can opt for the proposed contributory insurance scheme voluntarily, where they have to contribute 20 per cent of the insurance premium and the State government will contribute 80 per cent of the remaining amount. In case of death of the insured cattle or sheep due to road accidents, lightning and other disasters, the State government will purchase the animals with the insurance claim and provide them to the individual. Similar insurance scheme is already in force for the cattle and sheep distribution schemes, but with the entire insurance premium amount being paid by the State government.

Insurance a tool to cover farmer’s losses

“It has come to our notice that dairy farmers and shepherds are suffering losses due to unnatural deaths of these animals. Hence, the Chief Minister decided to extend the insurance scheme being offered to the beneficiaries of cattle and sheep distribution schemes. However, they have to pay 20 per cent of the insurance premium,” Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said. Dairy farmers and shepherds seeking to avail the insurance scheme can approach the District Animal Husbandry authorities after October 15 and apply for the scheme.

Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Saturday directed the officials concerned to extend necessary support to dairy farmers and shepherds during the crisis. He assured that the State government will extend all support to ensure that dairy farmers and shepherds do not suffer losses. He also instructed the officials to take all precautionary measures against seasonal diseases to the livestock during the ongoing monsoon season. He stated that equipment worth Rs 37 crore and medicines worth Rs 3 crore have been purchased to be kept ready at various veterinary hospitals in the State.

Fodder cultivation

Further, the Minister asked the authorities to encourage farmers to cultivate fodder required for the cattle in their own farm lands and also take up fodder cultivation in vacant lands belonging to the Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries departments. He will convene a video conference with the District Veterinary Officers and other officials on September 23, to review the progress of various ongoing schemes and programmes.

The Minister also decided to temporarily halt the fish distribution scheme for four-five days in the wake of several water bodies brimming to their full capacity and fishlings are unlikely to survive to a large extent. He asked the officials to continue the release of fishlings after the flood levels retreat.

Principal Secretary for Animal Husbandry Anitha Rajendra, Animal Husbandry Director Laxma Reddy, Vijaya Dairy managing director Srinivasa Rao, Telangana State Livestock Development Agency chief executive director Manjuvani and other officials, also attended the meeting.