Maha farmers shifting cattle to TS for sale

Adilabad cattle market yard  

In unavoidable conditions, bullocks and cows are being shifted by the agents to drought affected Adilabad in particular and Telangana in general from another drought affected Vidarbha of Maharashtra due to a ban on cow slaughter there to sell to prospective buyers.  

Local agents taking the cow and bullocks they have purchased much before to the Adilabad cattle market yard instead one day before the weekly cattle market takes  place on every Monday. There is no supervision of officials concerned on the cattle market.     

But, some of them were dying due to high temperatures, lack of water and fodder in Adilabad cattle market yard where they kept before selling them to farmers and owners of slaughterhouses.

Nearly 20 bullocks kept under hot sun died in the last one week at Adilabad cattle market yard. Four bullocks died of high temperature, insufficient food and water and suffered injuries during their transportation on May 27.  

There is no shade in Adilabad market where these cattle placed. Farmers in need of bullocks for Agriculture operations are purchasing these bullocks in the wake of Kharif.

Local agents say farmers of drought hit Vidarbha are selling their cows and bullocks at cheaper prices as they were not in a position to feed their cattle and for their own survival.

Ramulu of Bheemsari of Adilabad mandal said small and marginal farmers selling out their cattle as they were unable to feed them adding when they themselves are struggling to survive.

Ashok Uddam Vachewar, a labourer who drove the herd of 10 bullocks to Adilabad town from Umri in Pandharkawada of Maharashtra said farmers selling their cows and bullocks at cheaper prices due to drought in Maharashtra. He drove a herd of 10 bullocks in two days for Rs 1,500 and has to stay in Adilabad for one more day.

He said there was ban on the cow slaughter in Maharashtra and agents are transporting cows and bullock carts to Telangana

Most of the cows and bullocks kept at Adilabad market were weak and they could not survive more days due to high temperatures being recorded in Adilabad and lack of fodder and water.

A local cattle agent of Adilabad said there is 40 percent fall in prices of the cattle  due to drought when compared to normal days and small and marginal farmers purchase bullocks in better condition for their Agriculture operations for Kharif.

He claimed that he purchased fodder worth Rs 8,000 to feed bullocks he purchased from various markets and keeping the cattle survive has become much difficult for him due to high temperatures.

Most of these cows and bullocks were transported in many ways from Kayar cattle  market in Yawathmal and Chandur and Kurpana in Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra. It is learned that even cows and bullocks are shifted to Adilabad cattle  market from the other states including Madhya Pradesh.        

All the weekly cattle Shandies including Muthnur, Ichoda, Jainoor , Rajagonsa in Bhainsa, Bela, Sangvi are with full of cows and bullocks for Kharif agriculture operations.