Washim collector orders fodder plan as drought-like conditions set in across district
District Collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar has told officials to plan fodder supply for livestock, including more rabi-season production, fodder seed distribution and fodder depots.
Drought-like conditions have set in across Washim district, and District Collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar has directed officials to draw up an effective plan to keep fodder available for livestock. He said fodder production should be increased in the rabi season, fodder seed should be distributed and fodder should be cultivated in forest areas. Officials were also told to give first priority to delivering fodder to animals through fodder depots and fodder camps when required.
Kumbhejkar was speaking at a district fodder shortage plan review meeting. Chief Executive Officer Arpit Chauhan, Additional Collector Brijesh Patil, Resident Deputy Collector Vishwanath Ghuge, Assistant Conservator of Forests Manthawar, District Animal Husbandry Deputy Commissioner Dr Tushar Bawane and District Disaster Management Officer Shahu Bhagat were among those present.
The meeting was told that an additional fund of Rs 1 crore has been sought to provide fodder seed and raise fodder production in the rabi season. A proposal has been made to distribute fodder seed worth Rs 20 lakh under the Vidarbha-Marathwada Dairy Development Project. A list of 644 farmers with irrigated land and adequate water has been prepared.
In the current year, 2026-27, a fund of Rs 51.7 lakh has already been received. Under it, 13,448 kg of fodder seed has been distributed to 1,814 beneficiaries. The effort is expected to bring 725 hectares under fodder cultivation and yield 24,664 metric tonnes of fodder.
The collector directed that existing schemes be used effectively to raise fodder production in the rabi season, and that greater emphasis be placed on fodder cultivation in forest areas. The animal husbandry department was asked to submit a proposal for fodder cultivation on E-class land under the VB-G RAM G scheme. The forest department has said that fodder from grazing areas will be made available to animals through the animal husbandry department.
Emphasis is also being laid on cultivating fodder crops such as jowar and bajra that grow in low rainfall, proper storage and processing of straw, and running a Fodder Literacy Campaign 2026. A plan has been made to supply fodder to livestock through fodder depots and camps as required.
Kumbhejkar said that, according to the plan presented by the District Animal Husbandry Deputy Commissioner, the 21st livestock census recorded 2,91,895 livestock in the district. By the end of September 2026, 13,29,138 metric tonnes of fodder is available in the district. The plan is for this stock to last until April-May. He said that whatever measures are needed to keep fodder available should be planned.
