Digital Monitoring of Fodder Camps
Implementation of study group recommendations to tackle fodder shortages in drought-affected areas.
Promotion of fodder banks, hydroponics and Azolla cultivation.
Mumbai, October 2026 : Due to reduced rainfall this year under the influence of El Niño, drought-like conditions have emerged in the state. Against this backdrop, the state government has prepared a comprehensive action plan to ensure the continued availability of fodder for livestock. A decision has been taken to allocate at least five per cent of the funds under the District Annual Plan for fodder production, conservation of available fodder and development of alternative fodder sources.
Various measures, including the establishment of fodder banks, fodder production through hydroponics and Azolla methods, inter-district transportation of fodder and digital management of fodder camps, will also be implemented, Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde said.
A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had been constituted to suggest measures to address the drought situation. Following the decisions of this sub-committee, a study group constituted under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department made several recommendations to tackle the fodder shortage. These recommendations were accepted at the Cabinet sub-committee meeting held on October 27, and accordingly, a government resolution was issued on October 30, 2026.
To address fodder shortages during the drought-like conditions in the state in 2026, the study group recommended various measures, including increasing fodder production, conserving and adding value to available fodder, ensuring transparent management of fodder camps and developing alternative fodder sources.
Planned Measures
Pankaja Munde said, "The government has undertaken planned measures to ensure that farmers, livestock owners and their animals do not face a shortage of fodder during drought conditions. The focus is not limited to merely opening fodder camps. Emphasis is also being placed on increasing fodder production, properly conserving available fodder and developing alternative fodder sources. All concerned departments should work in coordination to ensure effective implementation of these measures."
Fodder Cultivation on Animal Husbandry Institutions' Farms
According to the framework suggested by the study group, seeds will be made available through Mahabeej and other seed producers to prevent any shortage of fodder seeds during the Rabi season.
Cultivation of fodder crops that require less water and can be harvested more than once will be encouraged. Fodder crops such as maize, Nutri-Feed, Sugar Graze, sorghum and pearl millet will be cultivated on the lands of agricultural universities, taluka seed multiplication centres and the Agricultural Corporation. Fodder cultivation will also be undertaken on the farms of institutions under the Animal Husbandry Department.
Various departmental schemes will be coordinated to promote fodder cultivation on grazing lands, pastures, barren land and fallow land. With the support of the Water Resources Department, silt-deposited areas will also be made available to farmers and livestock owners for fodder cultivation.
Grass available on Forest Department land will be harvested on time and stored, and made available to livestock owners as required.
Fodder Banks Recommended; Fodder Prices Fixed
The establishment of district-wise fodder banks has been recommended to increase fodder availability. Assistance will be sought from farmer-producer organisations, companies and non-governmental organisations for this purpose.
Machinery available with the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments will also be provided for fodder harvesting and bundling. Considering the drought situation, a support price has been fixed at a maximum of ₹12 per kg for dry fodder and ₹8 per kg for silage, excluding transportation costs.
'Fodder Literacy Campaign' to Be Launched
A comprehensive 'Fodder Literacy Campaign' will be conducted for livestock owners. Under this campaign, training sessions and demonstrations will be organised on the proper harvesting and storage of available fodder, silage production, urea and enzyme treatment, and value addition to paddy straw.
To reduce dependence on traditional fodder, alternative methods such as hydroponics, Azolla cultivation and cultivation of spineless cactus will be promoted. Since these methods can provide nutritious fodder in a short period using less water and space, livestock owners will be given training and practical demonstrations.
There are also plans to undertake experimental production of fodder through hydroponics and Azolla methods at veterinary hospitals across the state.
Ban on Use of Fodder for Other Purposes
During periods of fodder shortage, the available fodder will be reserved exclusively for animal feed. Its use for other purposes, such as packaging, biofuel production and electricity generation, will be prohibited.
District Collectors will also be responsible for imposing legal restrictions on the transportation of fodder from the state to neighbouring states during drought conditions.
If a district does not have sufficient fodder for its livestock, coordination will be established among the Divisional Commissioner, the Animal Husbandry Department and the District Collector to arrange supplies from a neighbouring district.
'Fodder Camp Monitoring and Management System' to Be Developed
A state-level online 'Fodder Camp Monitoring and Management System' will be developed to bring transparency to the management of fodder camps.
The system will provide information on livestock registration, daily attendance, receipt and distribution of fodder, water availability, veterinary services, expenditure and payments.
Biometric or QR-code-based attendance, verification of livestock registration through the Bharat Pashudhan system and a 24-hour CCTV surveillance system will be made mandatory at every fodder camp.
Fodder Camp Committee; Guardian Minister to Head It
For planning fodder camps, Guardian Ministers will be included as chairpersons in the district-level Drought Management Monitoring and Review Committee.
A separate district-level Drought Management Executive Committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of the District Collector. Decisions to open fodder camps will be taken as required, keeping in view local conditions, the livestock population, fodder availability and the water situation.
Sugar factories, milk-producing cooperative societies, gaushalas, voluntary organisations and farmer-producer companies will be actively involved in fodder management.
Plans are being made to obtain sugarcane tops, bagasse and molasses through sugar factories. A recommendation has also been made to provide electricity at concessional rates for fodder production.
In addition, emphasis will be placed on using CSR funds to improve facilities at fodder camps, provide fodder-harvesting machines, promote silage production and ensure drinking water and sanitation facilities.
The Animal Husbandry Department will prepare district-wise fodder balance sheets and submit weekly reports. Health management of animals at fodder camps and quality checks of fodder and animal feed will also be undertaken.
The Energy Department will take necessary action regarding the provision of electricity at concessional rates for fodder production.
Approval has been granted to issue the necessary orders to the concerned departments in accordance with the recommendations. The government resolution is available on the state government's website: www.maharashtra.gov.in.
