Sheep distribution scheme useful as ATMs for shepherds

People in the cities may struggle from time to time trying to draw cash from ATM machines but for the shepherds of Telangana, it has become easy to get cash anytime they need, thanks to the sheep distribution scheme of the State Government. “The sheep have become their ATMs,” an official from the Animal Husbandry Department told .

“Most shepherds have now the ability to just take a sheep or two to the market and put them up for sale. And within minutes, they can walk back home with about Rs 10,000 in cash in their pockets,” the official said. While 65 lakh sheep have been distributed so far in the State, their numbers have increased by nearly a third with at least 23 lakh lambs born to them.“The scheme has seen an exponential growth in the ability of the shepherd community to improve their lives. The income levels that they can expect is a revolution on its own,” the official added.