Maharashtra Drought: Farmers Sell Cattle As Crops Fail, Fodder Crisis Looms In 265 Talukas

Farmers are arriving at the Vadod cattle market in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district to sell their livestock as drought destroys soybean and cotton crops and cattle-feed costs rise. With loans to repay and relief yet to reach some farmers, selling cattle is becoming a desperate option for rural families. Farmers say fodder has run out in their villages, leaving them struggling to feed their animals. Agriculture officials have warned that existing fodder supplies may last only a few more days, raising fears of a severe livestock-feed crisis. The local administration is considering fodder camps in areas with large livestock populations. The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has described the situation as the state’s worst drought since 1972. As farmers struggle with crop losses, debt and dwindling fodder supplies, the question is whether relief can reach them before the crisis deepens.