Implement goat rearing scheme only in villages with pastoral lands, says association
The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Protection Association suggested recovering encroached poromboke lands to prevent goats from feeding on crops.
The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Protection Association has requested the State government to limit the Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme to villages possessing grazing pastures, according to The Hindu.
The scheme aims to provide five goats or sheep with a 100 per cent subsidy to approximately 30,000 eligible individuals in rural areas, including transgender persons, persons with disabilities, deserted women, and destitute widows.
Swamimalnathan Vimalnathan, secretary of the association, said the initiative would likely improve the economic status of women farm labourers in villages.
However, Vimalnathan noted that while villages previously had pastoral lands, many have been lost to encroachments, leaving little space for cattle to graze.
He urged the government to take steps to recover such poromboke lands to avoid conflicts, stating that without pastures, goats might feed on crops and farms.
The association requested that the government avoid implementing the scheme in villages that lack sufficient grazing areas.