Maharashtra Allocates 5% of District Funds for Fodder Schemes and Restricts Interstate Movement Amid Drought

The Maharashtra government has announced new measures to address fodder scarcity driven by drought conditions across the state. A government resolution issued by the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department mandates that district collectors set aside five percent of district annual plan funds for fodder-related schemes.

The directives follow recommendations from a study group chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) and approved by the Cabinet sub-committee on drought management. The state government has declared drought in 304 tehsils where Trigger-1 and Trigger-2 parameters were activated during the 2026 Kharif season. A state-level task force under the chief secretary has also been established to coordinate water conservation efforts.

Per the government resolution, district collectors will utilize the earmarked funds—with approval from guardian ministers—to increase fodder production, conserve existing supplies, and develop alternative sources. The Agriculture Department is tasked with ensuring adequate seed availability for the rabi season, while farmers and livestock owners will be encouraged to cultivate water-efficient fodder crops that yield multiple harvests.

To bolster production, the state has proposed using land belonging to agricultural universities, seed multiplication centres, agricultural corporations, and Animal Husbandry Department farms. Forest land will also be utilized to harvest and store grass for distribution.

District collectors are instructed to coordinate with farmer producer organisations (FPOs), farmer producer companies, and voluntary groups to establish fodder banks. Additionally, the government has set price caps of up to ₹12 per kg for dry fodder and ₹8 per kg for silage, excluding transportation costs. Priority is given to dry fodder due to its longer shelf life.

To conserve local resources during the drought, the use of fodder for non-feed purposes such as packaging, biofuel, and power generation has been prohibited. Furthermore, a legal ban has been imposed on moving fodder from Maharashtra's drought-affected border areas to neighboring states. In regions facing shortages, divisional commissioners, animal husbandry officials, and district collectors will coordinate to source supplies from adjoining districts.

For transparency and monitoring, the state will implement a 'Chara Chawani Monitoring and Management System' to track demand, availability, cattle camp operations, and expenditure. Mandatory measures at cattle camps include CCTV surveillance, biometric or QR-code-based attendance, and livestock verification through the National Digital Livestock Mission's Bharat Pashudhan system.

The guidelines also recommend utilizing alternative fodder sources like hydroponics and azolla, training livestock owners in conservation, and encouraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to support fodder production and camp infrastructure. Sugar mills have similarly been instructed to supply sugarcane tops, bagasse, and molasses as needed.

"The allocation of district funds and the establishment of structured monitoring systems for fodder management highlight the critical intersection of agriculture, regional planning, and resource allocation during climate crises. For businesses and agricultural enterprises operating in the region, adapting to these regulatory measures—including price caps and supply restrictions—will require careful logistical planning and close coordination with local producer organisations and cooperatives." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes