Drought dries up cattle economy in Gujarat, lack of water hits crops

In Gujarat, of the 12.5 million hectare of area under cultivation, while six million is dependent on rainfall, two million is covered by groundwater, a bulk of which is said to be in north Gujarat

A mound of dry castor husk meant for cattle fodder sits at the entrance of Balwantsinh Solanki’s farm in Gangudara village of Banaskantha district in north Gujarat. What is unusual about the fodder is that typically cattle need to be fed with fresh green fodder for better yield. 

But a depleted groundwater and lack of irrigation have forced Solanki to manage with dry castor husk for his 10 cows and four buffaloes. Impact of this lack of water is evident in the decline of daily milk production for Solanki, from 120 litres a year ago to less than 50 litres now.

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