Govt offers fodder assistance for animals

In a bid to tackle the challenge of fodder availability in scarcity-affected regions of the state, Gujarat government on Wednesday announced several relief measures at the state cabinet meet held in Gandhinagar.

These measures include an assistance of Rs 25 per animal per day to every Gaushala and cattle feeding houses managed by non-government organisations or trusts in scarcity-hit areas as well as opening of new fodder depots in these regions.

Also, the state government has decided to distribute fodder at a concessional rate of rupees two per kg through 91 depots in these regions. A state cabinet meet was held on Wednesday, chief minister Narendra Modi reviewed the plan for fodder management and distribution in connection with water scarcity in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat regions.

 

So far, about 1.1 million kg fodder has already been distributed to cattle-breeders.

The government will also form village clusters in every 15 km radius to increase the number of fodder depots. The government is in the process of purchasing 50 million kg of fodder from open market, informed state government spokesperson ministers, Jay Narayan Vyas and Saurabh Patel.

Availability of sufficient fodder to the animals has been put on priority. The state government has issued orders for implementation of various incentive schemes related to the cultivation of green fodder.

Farmers’ contribution for using 2322 wells of water resource development corporation will be done away with and instead the farmers will be given facility for drip irrigation at 100 per cent government expense.