Jagan launches Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi scheme to distribute livestock to AP women

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy virtually launched Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi scheme on 10 December under which livestock - sheep and goats - will be distributed to women in three phases at a cost of Rs. 1,869 crores.

The scheme aims to raise the living standards of women, Jagan said, adding that promoting agricultural allied sectors will lead to economic development which will eventually benefit farmers. Under the Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi scheme, women from the Backward Classes (BC,) the Scheduled Castes (SC), and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) between the age groups of 45 and 60 years will get 2.49 lakh units of sheep and goats. Each unit consists of 15 sheep or goats.

The Chief Minister said the state government has signed MoUs with Reliance, Allana Group, Amul, HUL, Procter & Gamble, and ITC to collaborate and empower women beneficiaries of YSR Cheyutha and Aasara schemes. The main objective of these partnerships is to provide more business opportunities and bring self-reliance among the women by providing assistance for better investments, Jagan said.

The Allana Group‌ will buy the meat as the government has entered into an agreement with the company, the CM said, adding that, however, the women can sell the meat to other firms if they get a better price than that offered by Allana. Meanwhile, Allana Group is setting up meat processing units in East Godavari and Kurnool districts, he said.

In the first phase of the Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi scheme, 20,000 units of sheep and goats will be distributed till March 2021, and in the second phase - from April to August 2021 - 1,30,000 units will be distributed. In the third phase - from September to December 2021 - another 99,000 units will be distributed. Training centres for sheep breeding will be set up in Dhone in Kurnool district and Penugonda in Anantapur district.

Earlier, the government had distributed 4.69 lakh units of cows and buffaloes at a cost of Rs. 3,500 crores to strengthen the dairy sector.