Maharashtra’s Animal Husbandry Department has launched a statewide fodder literacy and conservation campaign to prepare for a possible shortage of green and dry fodder in parts of the state. The campaign will focus on preserving crop residues, improving fodder quality, increasing storage and training livestock owners before shortages emerge.
The department said the initiative was prompted by rainfall deficits in some areas and the impact on kharif crop production. Its stated objective is to ensure the efficient use of available resources before a fodder shortage develops, rather than relying only on emergency measures after supplies have tightened.
Under the campaign, officials will collect village-level information on crop residues such as kadba, husk, straw and stalks. Demonstrations will cover protection from rain, maintaining suitable moisture levels, preventing fungal growth and storing fodder in dry locations. The department has also directed that crop-residue burning and avoidable wastage be prevented.
The programme includes demonstrations on processing poor-quality and dry fodder to improve its usefulness. Village-level training will be provided on scientifically recommended urea treatment for kadba and straw. The department also plans to encourage wider use of chaff cutters to reduce wastage and improve the utilisation of stored crop residues.
In areas where green fodder is available, officials will conduct a special drive to increase silage production. Veterinary hospitals are expected to develop hydroponic units to demonstrate low-cost green fodder production, while veterinary institutions will establish azolla beds and guide livestock owners on their use in animal feed.
Farmers with irrigation facilities will be provided seeds for fodder crops that can be grown in shorter periods and with less water. The campaign also calls for fodder sowing to be planned in silted areas that become available after water levels recede in dams and lakes.
Implementation responsibilities have been assigned across administrative levels. Veterinary officers and assistant livestock development officers will conduct field-level implementation, training and demonstrations. Taluka animal husbandry officers will regularly review implementation through departmental institutions, while district deputy commissioners of animal husbandry will prepare district action plans and carry out field verification.
At the state and regional levels, regional joint commissioners and the joint director for animal nutrition will analyse progress and issue necessary guidance. Expenditure for the campaign has been approved from funds available with the department, according to the information reported by Sakal – Pune.
The campaign will also use information leaflets, radio, digital platforms, WhatsApp groups and short films to raise awareness. Experts from Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, and veterinary colleges will provide technical guidance. Officials have additionally been asked to identify and expand low-cost, locally suitable fodder-conservation initiatives.
Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Kiran Patil said veterinary officers, assistant livestock development officers and livestock supervisors would visit villages to provide practical demonstrations and training. He urged farmers and livestock owners to secure available fodder, preserve leftover crop material, process residues and prioritise the production of nutritious feed.
The department’s stated approach is to move fodder management from post-shortage response to advance preparation. The next steps are the preparation of district action plans, village-level demonstrations and the rollout of training and awareness activities through the department’s field network.
