In Gujarat, where rain deficit is increasing with every passing week, farmers are a worried lot for not just the crop but a bigger worry has emerged is about fodder availability. Considering the gravity of the situation, the farmers have decided to prioritize fodder sowing over other cash crops.

The state government has asked farmers to opt for fodder sowing in the available arable land than taking any other cash crop. “In the whole of Gujarat the farmers are being told to take fodder cultivation over other crops. With such measures we believe fodder availability will improve and there will be no instances of cattle migration,” said a senior official of state agriculture and animal husbandry department requesting anonymity.

“It would be a blind bet for the cash crops because rains are uncertain and the crop may fail. In this situation at least we have to save our cattle by making adequate fodder available,” said Maganbhai Patel, state president, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a farmers’ body.

BKS is encouraging farmers to take up fodder as well as grain crops like Bajra (millet), Jowar and Maize, which will serve dual purpose of food grain as well as fodder.

A large number of farmers in Saurasthra, Central Gujarat and North Gujarat have decided to prioritize fodder sowing over cash crops. According to state agriculture department data, so far fodder sowing is only 1.37 lakh hectare against normal of three years average 9.37 lakh hectares, this shows a massive 85-per cent decline in fodder sowing.

Inadequate rains has also dampened the prospects for other crops mainly cotton and groundnut. As on July 15, cotton sowing is done on 10.19 lakh hectares against normal of 27.17 lakh hectares, while groundnut sowing is 5.41 lakh hectares against normal 14.39 lakh hectares in the state. Total area under cultivation in the state is 11.25 lakh hectares as against the normal 26 lakh hectares.

“Green fodder is not available. A delayed monsoon may brighten prospects for cash crops, but our cattle may not survive long without sufficient fodder and water,” said Hasmukh Patel, a farmer in Dhandhuka taluka of Ahmedabad district.

Rain deficit is felt severe in Central Gujarat region with over 90 per cent departure from normal rainfall, while in Saurashtra and Kutch region the departure is around 82 per cent. The coastal region of the Saurashtra region had witnessed intermittent sporadic rains in past few days.

“The present rainfall is insufficient for sowing of cash crops because it would require more moisture in the soil. But with such rains, fodder is an option for farmers to survive their cattle,” said Maganbhai Patel.

According to the state revenue department officials, the state government has supplied 1,150 tonnes of fodder in Kutch district, where several taluks have been declared as semi-scarcity affected.

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