Fodder Crisis: 'We can't give our cattle to butcher. We gradually starve them to death'
Fodder Crisis: 'We can't give our cattle to butcher. We gradually starve them to death'

By Somu Anand

Multiple factors have contributed to a surge in the fodder prices that have jumped three times within one year across several states in north India. From devastating heatwaves affecting production of wheat (later used as fodder), scarcity of water, farmers' preference for mustard crop, and and inter-state ban on fodder movement, an unprecedented fodder crisis is forcing cattle rearers to sell their cattle at throwaway prices, or abandon them. Here's a ground report from Rajasthan, the state with the second highest cattle population in the country.

Multiple factors have contributed to a surge in the fodder prices that have jumped three times within one year across several states in north India. From devastating heatwaves affecting production of wheat (later used as fodder), scarcity of water, farmers' preference for mustard crop, and and inter-state ban on fodder movement, an unprecedented fodder crisis is forcing cattle rearers to sell their cattle at throwaway prices, or abandon them. Here's a ground report from Rajasthan, the state with the second highest cattle population in the country.

How to turn adversities of air pollution into opportunities?
How to turn adversities of air pollution into opportunities?

By Mukti Sadhan Basu

The havoc created by air pollution in Delhi NCR could be turned into an opportunity by creating a National Fodder Bank utilising rice-wheat straw, left for burning, and fortifying the same with nutritious food legume stover

The havoc created by air pollution in Delhi NCR could be turned into an opportunity by creating a National Fodder Bank utilising rice-wheat straw, left for burning, and fortifying the same with nutritious food legume stover

70-yo Ghanshyam Yadav walked 200 kms to keep his cattle alive; it’s an annual affair for farmers in south Bihar
70-yo Ghanshyam Yadav walked 200 kms to keep his cattle alive; it’s an annual affair for farmers in south Bihar

By Rahul Jha

Thousands of cattle rearers in parched south Bihar are forced to migrate hundreds of kilometres to the northern districts along the Kosi river in search of fodder and water for their cattle. They spend the summer months living on machans in mango orchards and selling milk.

Thousands of cattle rearers in parched south Bihar are forced to migrate hundreds of kilometres to the northern districts along the Kosi river in search of fodder and water for their cattle. They spend the summer months living on machans in mango orchards and selling milk.

The indigenous Kenkatha breed of cattle is fast disappearing. Here’s why we should be worried.
The indigenous Kenkatha breed of cattle is fast disappearing. Here’s why we should be worried.

By Arun Singh

Once the backbone of agriculture in the Bundelkhand region, the Kenkatha breed of cattle that was once prolific in the villages on the banks of the river Ken is dwindling at an alarming rate. The indigenous breed can survive harsh weather conditions which makes it climate-resilient.

Once the backbone of agriculture in the Bundelkhand region, the Kenkatha breed of cattle that was once prolific in the villages on the banks of the river Ken is dwindling at an alarming rate. The indigenous breed can survive harsh weather conditions which makes it climate-resilient.

The indigenous Kenkatha breed of cattle is fast disappearing. Here’s why we should be worried.
The indigenous Kenkatha breed of cattle is fast disappearing. Here’s why we should be worried.

By Gaon Connection

Once the backbone of agriculture in the Bundelkhand region, the Kenkatha breed of cattle that was once prolific in the villages on the banks of the river Ken is dwindling at an alarming rate. The indigenous breed can survive harsh weather conditions which makes it climate-resilient.

Once the backbone of agriculture in the Bundelkhand region, the Kenkatha breed of cattle that was once prolific in the villages on the banks of the river Ken is dwindling at an alarming rate. The indigenous breed can survive harsh weather conditions which makes it climate-resilient.

"Native cow breeds more resilient to climate change than the hybrid ones"
"Native cow breeds more resilient to climate change than the hybrid ones"

By Diti Bajpai

Scientists working with Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) have long been engaged in researches upon native and hybrid cows to prove that the native cows adapt easily to every weather change

Scientists working with Bareilly-based Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) have long been engaged in researches upon native and hybrid cows to prove that the native cows adapt easily to every weather change

A mobile app provides rural women a platform to buy and sell livestock
A mobile app provides rural women a platform to buy and sell livestock

By Manvendra Singh

A recently launched app called GraamHaat is facilitating women farmers in Rajasthan and parts of Bundelkhand to take better care of their livestock, and buy and sell the animals in a safe environment.

A recently launched app called GraamHaat is facilitating women farmers in Rajasthan and parts of Bundelkhand to take better care of their livestock, and buy and sell the animals in a safe environment.

Thirsty for more: Next to no rains in eastern UP, leave both paddy farms and cattle parched
Thirsty for more: Next to no rains in eastern UP, leave both paddy farms and cattle parched

By Brijendra Dubey

The central and eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh have registered below-average rainfall this monsoon season. Farmers in Mirzapur, the worst affected district, are reeling under drought-like conditions and praying it will rain so that they can sow their paddy.

The central and eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh have registered below-average rainfall this monsoon season. Farmers in Mirzapur, the worst affected district, are reeling under drought-like conditions and praying it will rain so that they can sow their paddy.

Thirsty for more: Next to no rains in eastern UP, leave both paddy farms and cattle parched
Thirsty for more: Next to no rains in eastern UP, leave both paddy farms and cattle parched

By Gaon Connection

The central and eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh have registered below-average rainfall this monsoon season. Farmers in Mirzapur, the worst affected district, are reeling under drought-like conditions and praying it will rain so that they can sow their paddy.

The central and eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh have registered below-average rainfall this monsoon season. Farmers in Mirzapur, the worst affected district, are reeling under drought-like conditions and praying it will rain so that they can sow their paddy.

Farmers in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh adopt 'Berkeley compost' to grow vegetables
Farmers in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh adopt 'Berkeley compost' to grow vegetables

By Jyotsna Richhariya

Under Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, TRIF is training rural residents to make compost within 18 days using the Berkeley method. Women are using this compost to grow a variety of vegetables.

Under Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, TRIF is training rural residents to make compost within 18 days using the Berkeley method. Women are using this compost to grow a variety of vegetables.

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