Buying fodder a costly affair here

Narayankhed (Medak): Fodder has become an unaffordable commodity in Medak district and the worst affected due to the current drought are farm animals. Bovine animals, sheep, goats and chicken are in severe distress across the district.

The District Administration has long ago given instructions for constructing water houses for cattle in villages and to arrange water and fodder near the water houses. However, the noble idea has not seen the light of the day.

Almost all villages in Medak district face severe shortage of water and fodder. People from Kangti mandal are travelling to Karegama, Godungama, Burnapur and other areas in Nizamabad to purchase fodder.

Even rich farmers are facing difficult times because of unaffordable fodder prices as a result of a 'dry spell'. A heap of fodder is sold anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 150, which is just enough to feed a single animal for a single day.

With the rising fodder prices, people are trying all innovative ways to feed their cattle. In Donga Banswada village, which comes under Damaragidda grampanchayat in Kangti mandal, a woman was seen feeding her cow a mixture of rice and grain starch liquid, left over after cooking food for her family.

Even the cow seemed to be relishing the new dish being offered, though too small in proportion to her belly size. In some areas, due to shortage of water, shepherds were seen taking their sheep and goats to open sewage water accumulated areas, where the livestock were seen drinking from the dirty water.

According to Dattatri Rao, Sarpanch of Damaragidda, sanctions for construction of water houses and supply of fodder were not yet given by the district administration. Similar is the condition of poultry farms. Due to sweltering heat, chicken have been dying everywhere.

However, the poultry farm owners have been given strict instructions by their suppliers that business has to continue if they want to continue doing business with them after summer. Due to the dry conditions, some birds and pigeons were seen coming into houses in starved and dehydrated condition. Dead cranes and other birds were found in the fields due to lack water.