Despite the bumper crop, the farmers of Gollahalli and surrounding areas in the Marikuppam limits here are a disappointed lot as they could not protect the crop from the stray cows.

As they received copious rain this year, they took loan from various sources to cultivate in nearly 200 acres.

However, they saw the fields rich with crops, but only to be disappointed later as the animals including stray cows had eaten away all their expectations and hopes.

Sleepless nights

The farmers, who have spent sleepless nights keeping vigil on their crop, skipped meals to ensure that the crop was safe and good. They also prayed the rain-god to shower mercy on them.

But all their efforts went in vein as the animals including stray cows, had managed to destroy the crop.

One of the farmers, Koonappa, had bitten by an animal and lost his finger when he was guarding his crop at night in the field.

“We depend on this crop to earn our livelihood and we have no other income to spend on education for children and also to provide a square meal a day, let alone any other expenses. After all our relentless efforts, we have got nothing at the end as the cows have destroyed our crops,” said Koonappa.

Sonnappa, another farmer had sowed raagi on three acres of land. However, he had suffered a great loss due to the animal menace. They are also scared of the lenders. Most of the people who run dairy farming, let free around 200 to 300 cows after milking them. These cows graze the crops grown in the fields.

No fencing

Earlier the municipality imposed fine on the owners when the cows were not let within the identified areas.However, now the municipality has removed the fence put around the meadows, leave the cows free to graze everywhere.

The farmers submitted a complaint, urging the police to take action against the owners of the cows. Sub Inspector Laxmaiah, who received their memorandum, assured them of inspecting the spot.