Dharwad: As the threat of drought casts a shadow over multiple districts in the state due to monsoon failures, the agricultural community is facing the dire repercussions. Alongside crop failures and the absence of adequate rainfall, another hurdle has emerged in the shape of a shortage of fodder, intensifying the challenges faced by farmers and their livestock.
To tackle this urgent problem, the government has implemented measures to prevent the transfer of fodder from one district to another. This decision aims to protect local fodder supplies amid rising demand and shortages in various areas. The government has identified and officially designated 195 taluks as drought-affected regions, highlighting the gravity of the situation. In specific areas, fodder scarcity has become a critical issue, necessitating immediate intervention.
Officials from the Dharwad Animal Husbandry Department have taken steps to limit the transportation of fodder to neighboring areas. Addressing this issue, Ravi Saligoudar, the Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, stressed, “We have already implemented measures to prevent the transfer of fodder from our district to others. We have conveyed this to the Chief Veterinarian and are closely overseeing the situation to deter any unauthorized fodder transportation.”
Nevertheless, this choice has generated resistance within the farming community. In an interview with reporters, Farmer Shankara Komaradesai expressed his dissent, saying, “The government’s decision to restrict the transport of fodder between districts is misguided. Extending help to struggling farmers from neighboring districts is an act of compassion. If the government intends to tackle this problem, they should concentrate on improving fodder procurement within the district. By not taking proactive steps themselves, they have inadvertently compounded the difficulties confronted by farmers.”
Komaradesai further stressed that farmers should maintain their entitlement to dispatch fodder to other districts since it serves as a vital lifeline for those facing severe shortages.
