Farmers from Vidharbha, Marathwada and some parts of the western Maharashtra are going through a worst-ever crisis situation. Parched lands, high fodder price, low price for milk and failure on part of the government to come out with any rescue package have forced many of them to sell their cattle as a last resort to survive.

Normally, farmers don't part with their cattle, mainly because their livelihood is depended upon them. They raise loan, even on high interest rate, to salvage the situation. If raising the loan does not sort out the problem, then they lent or sell their jewellery, subsequently parcel of land.

Ganesh Khengre, farmer from Asthi in Marathwada told dna that earlier he used to own 20 cattle. "Now, I have just five; rest I sold in the cattle market. I cannot afford to keep them," he said.

"We have to travel almost 65 km to Ahamadnagar just to get fodder for our animals. Besides, the rate of milk has gone down drastically. We are selling cow milk at Rs 16 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 20 per litre against Rs 24 and Rs 40 per litre respectively six months ago. The expenses are more than the income. Therefore, farmers in our area are preferring to sell the cattle rather than keeping them," Khengre added.

The government sources meanwhile claim that mitigation measures are already in place. Talking to dna over phone, Beed collector Naval Kishore Ram said a desperate situation prevails and farmers are selling off their cattle. "However, state government has already declared drought in this region and subsequently, compensation package of Rs 320 crore. The disbursement is in process," he claimed.

Are govt policies to be blamed?

According to Vijay Jawandhia, a farmer leader, besides drought, the government's wrong policies played havoc on the drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra. "There should be subsidy for jwar – food grains – because it is the main source of fodder for the animals. Earlier, 40 percent non-irrigated land was under jwar crops; now it is barely two per cent. The crop's cultivation pattern also needs to be changed," he said.

What else worsened the situation?

The government should have announced subsidy to food grains like jwar and bazaara, which could have ensured fodder prices at reasonable level, opine farmers. "Most of the farmers have taken to cotton and other cash crops, instead of growing fodder crops. The situation is alarming. If the authorities do not take immediate and right measures, then we will have to witness farmer suicides too," said Jawandhia.

Will this impact rural economy?

The dwindling numbers of cattle will have an adverse impact on the rural economy, many fear. "Animal husbandry is known as the supplementary business to agriculture sector. The cattle manure is the best fertiliser, which replenish the soil and helps give a good yield. This is an interdependent circle; if one wheel of the circle breaks down, then it will have a cascading effect on agri-related business," said Shekhar Dongre, a 36-year-old farmer from Ahamadnagar district.

How far will selling cattle help?

Farmers complain that they are not getting good price for the cattle either. "Six months ago, one milk giving cow cost rupees one lakh. Now, it is being sold at Rs 40,000 or even less. It is even difficult to get the buyer in the market because every one is getting rid of their cattle," said Sanjay Surve, a 42-year-old farmer from Beed district in Marathwada.

What administration has got to say?