<p>Caught between the ever-elusive rain and the unforgiving drought, farmers in certain parts of the Bagalkot district are selling their livestock at cheap prices, unable to bear the cost of rearing them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A large number of livestock including ox, buffalo, sheep and other animals were up for sale at the cattle fair held at the APMC yard on Friday.<br /><br />Bheemappa Jalageri, Yallavva Masti and Muchukhandeppa Khanapur, residents of Muchakhandi village, who had brought their buffaloes for sale, had the same question. “When drought is affecting our very survival, how can we afford to keep the livestock,” they asked.<br /><br />Fodder, water<br /><br />“We are forced to sell the animals as the prices of fodder have skyrocketed. Further, there is acute drinking water shortage. Middlemen, who are aware of our plight, offer a low price for cattle. They offer Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for a buffalo, which costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000,” they lamented. Though the sowing season is coming to an end, the region is yet to receive rain.<br /><br />The price of fodder has seen a steady increase. A bundle of stalk of millet costs Rs 100, whereas a quintal of broken jowar used as fodder for cattle costs Rs 1,400. A quintal of groundnut oil cake costs anywhere between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000, and green grass costs Rs 2,000 per tonne. Further, the fodder is also in short supply in the market.<br /><br />Earlier, green grass was grown in the rainfed areas of Hungund, Badami and Bagalkot taluks of the district was used as fodder. However, in the absence of rain, there is no grass.<br /><br />Better off<br /><br />Farmers in Jamakhandi, Mudhol and Beelagi taluks of the district, where sugarcane is cultivated, have been a little lucky. They have been able to retain their livestock as green grass is available here.<br /><br />The district administration has also opened a ‘goshala’ in Jamakhandi. Fodder and water are being provided for 1,500 cattle, helping farmers in the region.<br /><br />Sadly, the administration has not bothered to open ‘goshalas’ or fodder banks in Badami, Bagalkot or Hungund, which have been adversely affected by drought, resulting in farmers selling off their livestock.<br /></p>
<p>Caught between the ever-elusive rain and the unforgiving drought, farmers in certain parts of the Bagalkot district are selling their livestock at cheap prices, unable to bear the cost of rearing them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A large number of livestock including ox, buffalo, sheep and other animals were up for sale at the cattle fair held at the APMC yard on Friday.<br /><br />Bheemappa Jalageri, Yallavva Masti and Muchukhandeppa Khanapur, residents of Muchakhandi village, who had brought their buffaloes for sale, had the same question. “When drought is affecting our very survival, how can we afford to keep the livestock,” they asked.<br /><br />Fodder, water<br /><br />“We are forced to sell the animals as the prices of fodder have skyrocketed. Further, there is acute drinking water shortage. Middlemen, who are aware of our plight, offer a low price for cattle. They offer Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for a buffalo, which costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000,” they lamented. Though the sowing season is coming to an end, the region is yet to receive rain.<br /><br />The price of fodder has seen a steady increase. A bundle of stalk of millet costs Rs 100, whereas a quintal of broken jowar used as fodder for cattle costs Rs 1,400. A quintal of groundnut oil cake costs anywhere between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000, and green grass costs Rs 2,000 per tonne. Further, the fodder is also in short supply in the market.<br /><br />Earlier, green grass was grown in the rainfed areas of Hungund, Badami and Bagalkot taluks of the district was used as fodder. However, in the absence of rain, there is no grass.<br /><br />Better off<br /><br />Farmers in Jamakhandi, Mudhol and Beelagi taluks of the district, where sugarcane is cultivated, have been a little lucky. They have been able to retain their livestock as green grass is available here.<br /><br />The district administration has also opened a ‘goshala’ in Jamakhandi. Fodder and water are being provided for 1,500 cattle, helping farmers in the region.<br /><br />Sadly, the administration has not bothered to open ‘goshalas’ or fodder banks in Badami, Bagalkot or Hungund, which have been adversely affected by drought, resulting in farmers selling off their livestock.<br /></p>
