Question : Central Sheep Training Institute in Telangana

(a) whether it is not a fact that India has the second highest sheep population in the world and there are huge economic benefits in sheep rearing;
(b) whether it is also not a fact that there is a high demand for sheep meat, manure and sheep rearing also provides huge employment opportunities for poor;
(c) whether the Ministry is aware that sheep rearing is not being done in a scientific manner and many shepherds are following the old, obsolete and outdated practices resulting in not getting the deserved economic benefits out of sheep rearing;
(d) whether in view of the aforesaid, the Government has taken into consideration for setting up of Central Sheep Training Institute in Telangana to address above issues; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING
(Dr. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) India has 7.42 Crore sheep population according to the 20thLivestock census, 2019.It is a fact that there are some economic benefits in sheep rearing through sale of wool and meat, however, it depends upon the market availability for sheep produce.

(b) Though there is demand of Sheep meat, however, it is restricted to few States. Yes, it is a fact that there are huge opportunities for employment in sheep rearing for the poor.
(c) Sheep rearing is practiced based on the geo-climatic condition in the region and availability of resources. Most of the sheep is reared by various shepherd communities through traditional practices for generation after generation. They have gained skill through their experience. However, with the continuous efforts of the State Governments and Central Government they are slowly adopting modern scientific practices of sheep rearinglike regular deworming, ecto-parasiticidal dipping, vaccination and health care management.
(d) & (e) Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Telangana has informed that post formation of State of Telangana, the State Government has initiated steps for skill development for various traditional practices adopted. Training programmes to the farmers on increasing of milk production, maintenance of livestock health, sheep rearing and so on are organized at field level. To escalate the level of training, to involve technical hands and field practitioners for providing hands on exposure with class room orientation, field exposures and other training techniques, it has been proposed to establish a centre of excellence by Govt. of Telangana with the assistance of Govt. of India. Telangana State Centre of Excellence for Livestock Development has been proposed to be setup at Large Scale Sheep Breeding Farm (LSSBF), Mamidipally, Maheswarammandal, Rangareddy district with the following objectives:
i. To cater to the needs of farmers and entrepreneurs of the State or Nation in various Animal Husbandry activities
ii. To improve their living standards and also skills
iii. To impart on campus and off campus training on livestock and poultry farming to farmers
iv. To Provide hands on training to the entrepreneurs in various fields of livestock sector by establishing demonstration farms and Technology park
v. To create awareness about improved livestock management practices through video lessons, pamphlets and skill demonstrations
vi. To upgrade the skills of field Veterinarians and para-vets in breed improvement and animal health
vii. To develop suitable training methodologies, modules and Technology dissemination material in the form of brochures, CDs, books and other latest methods
In this regard, a proposal was submitted to Government of India to establish Telangana State Centre of Excellence for Livestock Development (TSCELD) at Large Scale Sheep Breeding Farm (LSSBF), Mamidipally, Maheswarammandal, Rangareddy district, Telangana with a financial outlay of Rs.18.50 Crore under Rashtriya Krishi VikashYojna 2019-20 with an aim to encourage livestock and poultry sector in holistic approach through effective hands on Training, Skill development, Technology Transfer, Consultancy, Research and other innovative initiatives. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying had supported the proposal.
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