V Narayanappa, a farmer in Yelavalli in Kolar district had borrowed a loan of `35 lakh from a bank to rear sheep. He spent more than half of the money on building a shed hoping to breed and rear around 1,000 sheep. But, within four months, his new breed of sheep have become malnourished and are attacked by Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease.
Also, he could not procure sufficient fodder and grace on the fields, as they have dried up due to lack of rains. He reared around 150 sheep, of which, he had to sell 120, for his livelihood. Narayanappa has sold a sheep for merely `300. Now, he fears that the bank would confiscate his property. This is not the situation of just Narayanappa alone. Several farmers in Kolar, Chintamani, Mulbagal and Gauribidanur districts, who have borrowed loans are facing the same fate. “We want the government to waive our loans. Though the banks have given us a few months’ time, we cannot cultivate on our lands with such low rains,” said Vijaykumar, a farmer from Nakhalli in Gowribidanur taluk.
Goshalas set up by the State Government take care of cattle, but sheep and goats do not come under its plan of action.
Kolar and surrounding districts are reeling under drought for the last three years. Several farmers have sold lands and have quit agricultural activities.
Without sufficient rains, the ground water recharge is minimal and even at around 1,200 ft, the water is not available.
Assistant Director of Animal Husbandry (Kolar) Dr Raghuramegowda said due to nutrition deficiency, the animals were losing weight and low immunity has led to many diseases.
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