The state government has bypassed Kolhapur, the southwest Maharashtra district which had been its traditional market for the animal, and started buying cows from Erode district of Tamil Nadu.
One of the reasons given by officials for shift in the market is that Erode and Goa share similar weather conditions. Another reason is to prevent dairy farmers from indulging in any irregularities while buying the animal in order to avail government benefit.
"The cows from Kolhapur were not able to adjust to Goa climate. They were panting and could not stand the weather, resulting in a drop in milk production," a senior government official told PTI.
The government has been purchasing 'Holstein Friesian' and 'Jersey' varieties of cow in a bit to increase milk production in the coastal state.
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The change in the destination was done in November last year while redesigning 'Kamdhenu' scheme for dairy farmers.
"Under the old scheme, the cows were shown as purchased from Kolhapur, while actually the animal was never brought to the state. The money was siphoned off by submitting fake bills (obtained by farmers in collusion with potential sellers)," an another official said.
"We have reserved the right to reject the animal," the official said.
The State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department holds camps every Tuesday, either at Government's farms at Copordem (Sattari taluka) or Dhat (Sanguem taluka), where farmers flock in large numbers to buy animals.
"From November 2012 onwards, 1,354 cows had been purchased by dairy farmers under Kamdhenu scheme," he said, adding they are priced between Rs 35,000 and Rs 58,000 per animal.