Mandya DC bans fodder export to other districts
Mandya: With all seven taluks of the district being listed among the drought-hit places in the state, the Mandya district administration has issued orders banning the export of fodder to other districts and states to ensure sufficient stock of for the livestock in the district.
The administration has warned officials of stringent action for failing to implement the orders.
The order has been passed following the footsteps of the state government which issued similar orders banning the export of fodder to other states on November 22.
Officials have anticipated low yield because of scarcity of rainfall in the district owing to failure of the monsoon. This apart, the cultivation of crops has also reduced due to the scarcity of water.
Despite this, farmers had come forward to sell fodder to other districts and states, which was noticed by deputy commissioner Kumara, who issued orders banning the export of fodder (both green and dry) for the next six months or till the next order. The DC has also ordered tahsildars and police officials to ensure the order is implemented strictly throughout the district.
According to reports, the available fodder in the district will be able to fulfil the needs for about 27 weeks (till June 2024). The district administration has been encouraging farmers to cultivate fodder crops by distributing seeds. Till date, the authorities have distributed 12,000 fodder kits besides sending a proposal to supply an additional 88,500 fodder kits to the state government. Each kit will have 5kg maize seeds (South African Tall), 3kg cattle maize seeds, 1kg cow pea (red) seeds and half a kilo of bajra seeds.
As per records, there are 4,79,429 livestock which includes cows, buffalo, and ox among others. There are 2,93,563 sheep and goats in the district.
Speaking to TOI, department of animal husbandry and veterinary services deputy director Dr SC Suresh said the order banning the export of fodder had been issued as a precautionary measure to ensure sufficient fodder is available for livestock in the district.
“We are anticipating a shortage of fodder in case there is no rainfall in the coming months. There are people from other districts who are willing to pay more for fodder,” he said.
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