Sindhudurg, October 2026: Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Minister and Sindhudurg District Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane has directed the administration to prepare a comprehensive plan to supply surplus fodder from the district to drought-affected regions of the state after meeting the fodder requirements of local livestock.
Speaking at a meeting on livestock fodder management at the District Collector’s Office, Rane said the available surplus should be put to productive use to support cattle and other livestock in areas facing fodder shortages.
District Collector Trupti Dhodmise informed the meeting that Sindhudurg district had approximately 3.80 lakh metric tonnes of fodder available for livestock, while around 2 lakh metric tonnes would be required to meet the needs of animals within the district.
Rane directed officials to examine how the remaining fodder, estimated at approximately 1.80 lakh metric tonnes, could be utilised in other districts instead of being wasted or burned. The administration was specifically asked to explore the possibility of supplying surplus fodder to drought-affected areas in western Maharashtra and the Marathwada region.
He also called for coordination at the state level to develop a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) covering fodder collection, storage, transportation and distribution.
Assess Suitability of Paddy Fodder
Since paddy cultivation is widespread in Sindhudurg, the administration has been asked to assess whether paddy straw and locally available grass would be suitable for livestock in other parts of Maharashtra.
Officials have been instructed to examine how readily animals would accept the fodder, the appropriate storage methods, transportation requirements and ways to ensure timely delivery to areas in need.
Rane directed the administration to study these technical aspects and prepare a detailed report outlining a practical and workable plan.
He stressed that the available fodder should not go to waste and that all concerned departments must work together to ensure its effective utilisation. The administration should also prepare a comprehensive proposal that could be presented at upcoming meetings of the state Cabinet and its subcommittees.
Officials Attend Fodder Management Meeting
The meeting was attended by Zilla Parishad President Pramod Kamat, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Apoorva Basur, Zilla Parishad Vice-President Dada Sail, Deputy Collector (Employment Guarantee Scheme) Nitin Raut, Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Sameer Bilolikar and District Planning Officer Yashwant Budhawale.
Other officials present included Mahavitaran Executive Engineer Yogendra Wagh, Arvind Vanmore, Soil and Water Conservation Department Executive Engineer Santosh Shirodkar, Assistant Conservator of Forests Vaibhav Borate, District Superintendent Agriculture Officer Bhagyashree Naiknavare and Senior Geologist Rahul Khandare, along with officials and staff from other concerned departments.
The initiative aims to ensure that surplus fodder available in Sindhudurg can be channelled to livestock in drought-affected parts of Maharashtra through coordinated planning, appropriate storage and efficient transportation.
