Maharashtra Drought: Nashik Faces Looming Fodder, Water Crisis For 18 Lakh Livestock As Kharif Crops Suffer
Lasalgaon, October 3, 2026: The drought has already hit Kharif crop production, and with the monsoon set to withdraw, the looming threat of water scarcity is raising concerns over a shortage of fodder for livestock. As agricultural crops wither under the heat, farmers face another challenge in keeping their cattle fed. Livestock Numbers And Requirements According to administration statistics,…
As drought ravages Maharashtra, Nashik district faces a looming shortage of fodder and water for its 18 lakh livestock, according to recent reports. The Kharif crop season, already faltering due to the monsoon retreat, has left farmers struggling to meet the animals' nutritional needs. With livestock statistics showing 18 lakh animals in the district, including 728,087 cows, 111,551 calves, 156,450 buffaloes, 517,569 goats, and 247,178 sheep, authorities reveal the challenging calculation: livestock require 6,406 metric tons of fodder daily, rising to 207,393 metric tons monthly.
This translates to nearly 369 million liters of water per day, a resource under increasing threat with the ongoing drought. Currently, the district holds around 893,000 metric tons of fodder, sufficient for about four months, but the future remains uncertain as prolonged water scarcity could rapidly deplete these resources. To combat these imminent challenges, the administration is preparing to deploy tankers to deliver water to villages facing severe scarcity.
The exact number of tankers will depend on the availability of both government and private water sources, but the looming threat of an independent water supply system for livestock hangs in the balance. Authorities emphasize the pressing need to pre-plan for fodder camps, depots, and alternative water sources before the drought intensifies further.
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