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Drought Fears Prompt Fodder Survey in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District
Poor rain has created drought-like conditions in parts of Maharashtra.
This may make it harder for farmers to find food for their cattle.
Officials in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have started a survey to count cattle and available fodder.
The survey will last one month.
Officials will use its findings to prepare a report for the government.
Farmers used to grow crops such as jowar, bajra and corn partly for animal feed.
That practice has become less common because the area used for these crops has shrunk.
The government is providing seeds where water is available and is looking for other places to obtain fodder.
Maharashtra’s Animal Husbandry department has launched a month-long survey of cattle and fodder stocks in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Officials warned that poor rainfall and shrinking fodder cultivation could cause feed shortages.
The survey will identify shortages and produce a report for the government within one month.
Farmers may receive seeds to grow fodder where water is available.
Maharashtra has declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas and announced relief measures for farmers.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Animal Husbandry department, farmers and cattle owners; Joint Commissioner Dr Pundalik Borkar provided the details.
- What
- A month-long survey has been launched to assess cattle numbers, fodder supplies and potential shortages.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in Maharashtra, with potential fodder sourcing also considered from elsewhere.
- When
- The survey was announced on September 29 and is expected to produce a report within one month.
- Why
- Poor rainfall, drought conditions, reduced fodder cultivation and similar monsoon deficits in neighbouring Karnataka and Telangana have raised concerns about feed availability.
Key facts
- Survey duration
- One month
- Survey focus
- Cattle numbers and available fodder stocks
- Drought declaration
- 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas
- Share of talukas affected
- 74 per cent
- Traditional fodder crops
- Jowar, bajra and corn
- Government response
- Providing seeds where water is available and seeking additional fodder sources
- Other announced relief
- Crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions and power bill subsidies for farmers
Quotes
Dr Pundalik Borkar
Joint Commissioner of Maharashtra’s Animal Husbandry department
“We are in the process of giving away seeds to farmers wherever there is water availability so that the fodder can be produced. At the same time, we have to look for new places from where fodder can be procured because the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Telangana are facing similar conditions.”
theprint.in
“There is a possibility of fodder scarcity if there are no big spells of rain. Farmers used to sow jowar, bajra and corn in a portion of their fields and these would serve as cattle feed. But now, this area has shrunk.”
theprint.in
Sources
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