Madikeri: Small and medium farmers of the district facing financial crisis will get 2,000 mixed breed cows under the Prime Ministers Vidarbha Special Package, a scheme of the Central government to prevent farmers suicides. Animal Husbandry Department Deputy Director Dr M T Manjunath told Deccan Herald that the decision was taken during the district implementation committee meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner K R Niranjan. A sum of Rs 11.72 crore has been released for the district in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 for the implementation of the package, and the Hassan Federation of Milk Producers Union is implementing it in Kodagu district. As per the scheme, 1,000 cows are distributed to farmers in a year. As many as 253 mixed breed cows were distributed in the district in 2006-07, while 310 in 2007-08. As 2008-09 is the last year for the implementation of the package, the remaining beneficiaries would be given, he said. According to the package, a beneficiary can purchase two cows worth Rs 60,000 with 50 per cent subsidy. That means, he will get Rs 30,000 from the government. The beneficiaries need to purchase cows from outside the district. It is mandatory that one female calf should be there with two cows. At the time of purchase, the calf should not be more than one month old. There is also a provision to get Rs 1,000 for transporting the cow, Dr Manjunath said. The beneficiary will get Rs 7,200 upto one year to rear the calf and Rs 750 per month upto one year towards the expenses of the fodder for the cows. Farmers having 2.5 acre agricultural land and less than 5 care barren land deserve the package, he explained.