Tulluru: While construction works in the capital city of Amaravati are going, the livelihood of cattle rearers in the region is falling into deep crisis. Shortage of green fodder, scarcity of drinking water, rising feed prices, and declining milk production are making cattle rearing an unbearable burden for farmers in the capital villages.
Livestock farmers say that large-scale construction activities across the capital region have led to ponds, canals, ditches, and water pits being filled with soil, leaving little water available for cattle. Grazing lands that once stretched across village surroundings are now occupied by construction machinery, making it increasingly difficult for animals to find fodder.
The lack of cultivation in agricultural lands has further worsened the situation. Earlier, the grass and green fodder left in fields after paddy harvest served as the primary source of feed for cattle. Farmers say such conditions no longer exist, forcing them to travel several kilometres every day in search of green fodder. They complain that cattle rearing in the capital villages has become a daily struggle, consuming both time and money.
The situation has become more severe with the rising summer temperatures. Providing drinking water to livestock has turned into a major challenge, as village ponds have dried up and several water sources have either disappeared or been diverted for construction purposes. Farmers say cattle are suffering heavily due to the extreme heat and lack of water.
At the same time, fodder and hay prices have increased sharply. The price of hay has reportedly reached Rs.125 per bundle, and cattle rearers fear prices may rise even further in the coming days. Farmers say they are spending hundreds of rupees daily on feed, but the income from milk sales is nowhere near enough to cover the expenses.
The shortage of fodder is also severely affecting milk production. Due to inadequate nutrition, the health of cattle is deteriorating and milk yields are falling steadily. Families dependent on milk sales say their daily income has dropped significantly, making it difficult even to manage household expenses.
Unable to cope with mounting losses, some livestock farmers are being forced to sell their cattle at throwaway prices. Farmers say it is emotionally painful to part with animals they have raised like family members for years.
Cattle rearers in the Thulluru region say that only a few low-lying villages still have some patches of green grass, while in upland areas even grass is unavailable. They expressed disappointment that despite repeated appeals, no action has been taken to allocate a portion of CRDA lands for grazing purposes.
In the current situation, livestock farmers are urging the government to intervene immediately. They are demanding that the Animal Husbandry Department supply hay and cattle feed at subsidised rates and arrange temporary drinking water tanks in villages. Farmers also hope that allocating special grazing lands in the capital region would provide much-needed relief to the struggling cattle-rearing community.
