Drought: Maharashtra opens reservoir land to fodder farming in 304 talukas

The Maharashtra government will lease land in reservoir areas to grow fodder for livestock in 304 drought-hit talukas, The Hindu reported on 7 November. The land around dams and their backwaters, which stays moist after the water level falls, is meant to make up for the fodder lost in a poor kharif season.

The decision is the latest in a series of drought measures. The State has declared about 305 of its 358 talukas drought-affected after adding 40 more to the list, and has announced ₹5,000 for each farmer in those talukas. Its Cabinet has approved Maharashtra’s first fodder development policy, which allows land managed by the Forest and Revenue Departments to be used for fodder, with unused revenue land to be given to women’s self-help groups for the purpose. District Collectors head five-member committees with full powers to buy and grow fodder, and the government launched a ‘Mission Murghas’ on 24 October to tackle the shortage.

Why it matters

Fodder is among the first things to run short in a drought. When it does, prices soar, and small farmers and dairy households are often forced to sell their cattle cheaply, losing a source of income that takes years to rebuild. In past droughts, the State has had to run cattle camps to keep animals alive.

This year’s dry spell is linked to El Niño conditions, which weakened the monsoon over large parts of the State, particularly in Marathwada.

What’s next

The State is preparing a detailed memorandum to seek drought relief from the Centre. The lease terms and rates for the reservoir land have not yet been announced.