State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Viswaroop today informed in the House that fodder shortage was reported in 21 districts in the state and the government was being taking all necessary measures to tackle it. Responding to question raised by members during Question hour in the House, the Minister said to tackle the shortage, the government proposed to bring 3.70 lakh acres under fodder cultivation to produce 9.27 Lakh MTs of fodder by supplying 7400 MTs of fooder seed at 75 per cent subsidy to the farmers. Mahatma Gandhi-NREGS is being utilized towards fodder conservation and minimize the wastage of coarse fodder, he said adding 3350 power-driven chaff cutters are being supplied on 75 per cent subsidy to minimize the fodder wastage. As many as 2500 units for Azolla cultivation are bing established at 50 per cent subsidy and 24,000 MTs of Concentrate Cattle Feed and 540 MTs of Micro Nutrient mixture being given on subsidy basis, he said. To protect the health of livestock during the drought it is planned to conduct regular health campus and vaccination campaigns, the Minister informed. UNI
