At a time when shortage of fodder and water has delivered a blow on the cattle rearers in this district who, being left with no other alternative, are selling away their animals to slaughterhouses, the government appears to be negligent towards the issue.
Realising the problem well in advance, the district administration submitted a proposal to the government in March seeking Rs16 crore to ensure fodder and water for the livestock. But, the government has supplied grass seeds and mineral mixture worth 10 lakh so far.
Already 43 of the 51 mandals in the district have been declared as drought-hit and the farmers are finding it hard to provide fodder to their animals.
According to an official estimate, there are nearly 25 lakh livestock including cows, buffaloes and sheep in the district. With lack of fodder, farmers have started selling their animals to slaughterhouses. Given the graveness of the situation, the government’s sanction appears to be meager to combat the exigencies.
“The animal husbandry department proposed to take up various works at a cost of Rs 16.93 crore three months ago. But, the government responded with supplying 160 metric tonne of grass seeds and 3,000 kg of mineral mixture costing less than Rs 10 lakh,” an officer said, adding that there is further sanctions in sight to start the much-needed fodder centres in the district. “I am ready to purchase grass for the my livestock even if I have to pay Rs 8,000-`1,000 per a tractor-load grass. But, I am not getting fodder to purchase,” said a cattle rearer.