Center Urgent Action Needed to Address Fodder Shortage Crisis

Four days after The Indian Express reported on the agricultural crisis affecting households in parts of the country, the Government has called a meeting on Thursday of Central and state officials to devise an “immediate action plan” to address the shortage. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has organized the meeting.

Sources said the meeting, to be led by Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is expected to be attended by senior Central officials, including Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja. Officials from states facing a fodder crisis and those with surplus stock have also been asked to participate.

During the meeting, a plan will be developed to explore the possibilities of transporting fodder from surplus to deficit areas, sources said. Officials from northern and southern states will join the meeting, where a state-wise assessment of the situation will be conducted. The Indian Express had highlighted the deficit in fodder supply, attributed to late rains and damaged bajra crop affecting the availability of green fodder.

The report on Tuesday emphasized how the Government’s plan to create 100 fodder FPOs (Farmers Producers Organizations) under a scheme to establish 10,000 FPOs has not been implemented.

Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, reported on this issue.