Fodder shortage: Animal Husbandry dept. proposes mini kits for dairy farmers

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department has proposed a solution to the impending shortage of dairy fodder due to the state's deficient rainfall. In response to the drought-like conditions, the department aims to provide mini fodder kits worth ₹25 lakh to dairy farmers. This initiative comes as the government has yet to declare a drought, with the department seeking to prevent farmers from facing issues related to fodder scarcity.

The kits include seeds that can yield fodder within 60 days upon sowing, addressing the immediate need for green fodder, which is essential for maintaining the nutritional value in the cows' diet. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) also supports dairy farmers by providing high-yield dairy fodder at subsidized rates and planting slips.

Farmers can either grow their own fodder or purchase it from the KMF-supported farmers. However, water availability from reservoirs remains a challenge, as farmers like Jayachandra Sharma from Tumakuru have expressed their need for water to grow the fodder, urging the government to release water from reservoirs to aid in fodder cultivation.