Gujarat: Severe shortage of fodder due to rains in the state, increasing the difficulties of cattle rearers

Rajkot district has been witnessing a shortage of green and dry fodder in rural areas due to incessant rains for the last one month. Due to the huge gap in income against the demand for fodder, it is becoming difficult for the cattle rearers to maintain the livestock. On the other hand, the financial difficulties of the cattle rearers have also increased due to the significant increase in the prices of fodder and fodder. Apart from the more than 185 registered gaushalas in Rajkot district, a large number of farmers and cattle rearers have a huge requirement of fodder for their cattle every day. According to the cattle rearers, only 100 carts of fodder are coming to the district against the requirement of about 500 carts of fodder per day.

Fodder shortage for more than 50 thousand cattle

there is a need to provide green as well as dry fodder for more than 50,000 animals in Rajkot district. Due to lack of rainfall, the availability of green fodder from the fields and border areas has also decreased. As a result, it is becoming a challenge for gaushalas, farmers and cattle rearers to provide adequate fodder to the animals. The price of fodder has increased drastically in Dhoraji and Upleta dioceses of Rajkot district. According to the cattle herders of Khakhi Jalia village of Upleta, green fodder which was earlier available for Rs 80 has now increased to Rs 120. Tur straw has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 150, while green maize has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 120. The price of groundnut has also increased from Rs 200 to Rs 400 per maund. The price of a gunny bag of Khola which was earlier Rs 1500 has now gone up to Rs 2200.

Maintenance cost of cattle doubled, milk prices stable

Fodder and fodder prices have doubled the daily maintenance cost of cattle, according to cattle rearers. On the other hand, there has been no significant increase in the price of milk in the milk societies, making it difficult for the cattle rearers to maintain a balance between income and expenses.   Apart from Rajkot, cattle rearers from Dwarka and Jamnagar districts have also been found to be importing fodder from Rajkot. This is putting more pressure on the fodder available in Rajkot and the situation of shortage at the local level is becoming more serious.

cattle rearers are demanding that the government should immediately start grass depots in rural areas at concessional rates before the situation of fodder worsens in the coming days. At the same time, there is a demand that the required quantity of fodder should be made available and distributed and financial assistance should be given to the cattle rearers.

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forest reserve grass to be released

cattle rearers have also demanded the government to release the fodder reserved by the forest department as per the requirement. Cattle rearers say that if timely action is not taken in the current situation, the problem of maintaining the cattle may become more serious in the coming days. Cattle rearers say that the current situation is becoming more serious than the usual shortage.