Maharashtra eases rules for free fodder seed subsidy as drought looms, after Bacchu Kadu's demand

To ensure animals do not face a fodder shortage during drought, the government has opened the way to subsidise farmers for growing fodder. Former MLA Bacchu Kadu had made this demand to the government. Following it, the government issued a Government Resolution on October 14.

Under the resolution, the conditions for distributing fodder seeds and saplings have been relaxed for 2026-27. Under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Pashudhan Udyamshilta Yojana, each individual beneficiary is entitled to fodder seeds and saplings worth up to Rs 4,000 for growing fodder on one hectare, at 100 per cent subsidy.

Earlier, a farmer had to own at least 3 to 4 animals to benefit from the scheme. The new resolution relaxes this condition for 2026-27. Farmers who cannot meet the prescribed number of animals can now also avail of the scheme.

There is also provision for groups of farmers. They will get fodder seeds and saplings worth up to Rs 20,000 within a limit of 5 hectares, at 100 per cent subsidy, so that groups can grow fodder together. However, it is stated that the resolution does not clearly mention separate subsidy for each area used to grow fodder on public land.

Kadu had demanded that drought not be tackled by relying only on fodder camps. Farmers who have land and water, he said, should be given direct financial help to grow fodder. More fodder would mean animals could get green fodder, and employment opportunities could also be created in villages. The government's decision is expected to bring relief to livestock-rearing farmers.

Given the drought, the government has made one more important relaxation in the rules for distributing fodder seeds. A farmer or farmers' group with adequate water for growing fodder can be given the benefit more than once, provided there are no other eligible applicants wishing to benefit from the scheme for the first time.

For this, it will be necessary to have the concerned Deputy Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry Department confirm that the farmer or group has water for growing fodder. This relaxation applies only to 2026-27. It will now be the administration's responsibility to deliver the scheme's benefit to eligible farmers on time and implement the fodder production programme effectively.