31 October,2026 11:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Maharashtra government has earmarked at least five per cent of district annual plan funds for fodder-related schemes and restricted the use and movement of fodder to address shortages amid drought conditions.
A government resolution (GR) issued by the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department on Friday directs district collectors to establish fodder banks, set reference price ceilings for dry fodder and introduce biometric tracking at cattle camps.
The measures follow recommendations by a study group headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), which was formed to suggest ways to tackle fodder shortages caused by inadequate rainfall. The Cabinet sub-committee on drought management accepted the group's report at a recent meeting.
The state government has declared drought in 304 tehsils where Trigger-1 and Trigger-2 were activated during the 2026 Kharif season. It has also constituted a state-level task force under the chief secretary to coordinate water conservation efforts amid the possibility of an El Nino impact.
Under the GR, district collectors will make available at least five per cent of district annual plan funds, with the approval of guardian ministers, for schemes to increase fodder production, conserve and improve existing fodder supplies, and develop alternative sources.
The Agriculture Department has been directed to ensure adequate availability of fodder seeds for the Rabi season. Farmers and livestock owners will be encouraged to grow low-water-use fodder crops that can be harvested more than once.
The government has proposed using land belonging to agricultural universities, seed multiplication centres, agricultural corporations and the Animal Husbandry Department for fodder cultivation.
Fodder and grass available on forest land will also be harvested and stored for distribution to livestock owners as required, the resolution stated.
District collectors will facilitate fodder cultivation on harvested agricultural land and coordinate with farmer producer organisations, farmer producer companies and voluntary groups to establish fodder banks.
The GR has set reference price ceilings of up to Rs 12 per kg for dry fodder and Rs 8 per kg for silage, excluding transportation costs. Procurement will remain within these limits, with preference given to dry fodder because of its longer shelf life.
During drought conditions, fodder cannot be used for purposes other than animal feed, including packaging, biofuel and power generation.
District collectors have also been directed to impose a legal ban on the movement of fodder from drought-affected border areas of Maharashtra to neighbouring states. If local supplies are insufficient, divisional commissioners, animal husbandry officials and district collectors will coordinate to source fodder from adjoining districts.
To improve transparency, the government will develop a state-level "Chara Chawani Monitoring and Management System" to track fodder demand and availability, cattle camp operations, livestock records, daily attendance, veterinary services and expenditure.
CCTV surveillance and biometric or QR-code-based attendance will be mandatory at cattle camps. Livestock must also be verified against records registered under the National Digital Livestock Mission's Bharat Pashudhan system.
District-level drought management committees will be restructured, with guardian ministers heading review committees and district collectors leading executive committees responsible for overseeing implementation.
The opening of fodder camps in specific revenue circles will depend on local livestock populations and fodder availability.
The resolution calls for wider use of alternative fodder sources, including hydroponics and azolla. It also proposes training livestock owners in fodder conservation and processing.
The government has encouraged the use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for fodder production, equipment, water supply and sanitation at cattle camps.
(With inputs from PTI)
