Maharashtra Govt Announces Fodder At ₹12 Per Kg, Green Fodder At ₹8 Per Kg In 304 Drought-Hit Talukas

Mumbai: Maharashtra's government has introduced a new initiative to combat the worsening drought situation across the state. In a meeting chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the government announced that fodder will be procured and cultivated in 304 drought-affected talukas at subsidized rates. Dry fodder will be available at ₹12 per kg, while green fodder will be priced at ₹8 per kg.

District collectors, headed by a five-member committee, will have the authority to procure fodder, arrange local cultivation, and source supplies from other districts. Fodder cultivation will be carried out on land belonging to the Forest, Revenue, and Water Resources departments using funds allocated by District Planning Committees (DPCs).

Surplus fodder from Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts will also be redirected to drought-hit areas. The government aims to restart rural drinking water supply schemes that have been halted due to unpaid electricity bills or the absence of power connections, using DPC funding. This move is expected to provide direct drinking water to villages and reduce reliance on water tankers.

Additionally, the state will offer financial assistance for removing silt from ponds and transporting it to agricultural fields, with subsidies of ₹31 per cubic metre for excavation and ₹35 per cubic metre for transportation.