Nanded, Oct 16 In view of the prevailing drought conditions, the administration of Nanded district in Maharashtra has planned to roll out a ‘Fodder Friends’ initiative to ensure adequate supply of feed for livestock.
The programme aims to strengthen local fodder availability and help livestock owners prepare for a possible shortage in the coming months.
The state government has declared drought in a total of 305 talukas in the state. There are 16 talukas in Nanded, of which 14 are declared as drought-affected.
Under the ‘Fodder Friends’ initiative, farmers and individuals with access to water and who are willing to cultivate fodder crops will be provided free seeds of the fast-growing varieties that require minimum water, Collector Rahul Kardile said.
Farmers will first use the fodder they grow to meet the needs of their own livestock. Any surplus stock will subsequently be made available to other livestock owners facing shortages, he said.
The administration plans to implement the initiative through the district’s 182 veterinary dispensaries, which will disseminate information and facilitate registration.
Kardile appealed to farmers with access to water to take the initiative in fodder cultivation and contribute to ensuring the availability of feed for livestock across the district.
The collector also urged farmers and livestock owners to register with their nearest veterinary dispensary without delay, and participate in fodder cultivation.
He also said livestock owners must enrol in the government’s livestock insurance scheme to protect themselves against financial losses arising from drought or natural calamities.
Under the scheme, the government will provide a subsidy covering 85 per cent of the insurance premium, while beneficiaries will have to pay the remaining 15 per cent.
The insurance cover can provide financial assistance to livestock owners in the event of losses caused by natural disasters or drought.
Kardile appealed to industries, institutions and other organisations to use their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to provide livestock insurance coverage to farmers in villages.
He cited the example of a family in Bahadurpura village in Kandhar taluka that had taken out insurance for the livestock of the entire village for one year, setting an example of social responsibility.
The district administration aims to encourage similar initiatives in other villages with support from industries and institutions.
(PTI News)
