Acute fodder shortage due to severe drought conditions prevailing across Pudukottai district, coupled with severe water scarcity, has forced farmers to sell their cattle for a pittance.

“We have no other option but to sell the cattle, not only to make our ends meet but also to avoid loss of animals due to starvation,” says a farmer.

The failure of northeast monsoon has disappointed farmers and authorities alike. Over 5,800 minor and major tanks in eight taluks in the district have gone bone dry in the last few months.

Usually, hay from the Cauvery delta region in the district is sent to Kerala. But, due to total failure of paddy this season, there has been an acute shortage of fodder in the whole district. A small bundle of hay costs Rs. 50 and there has been a scramble among farmers for purchasing fodder, even at an exorbitant rate.

“The district has been witnessing unprecedented drought and the worst hit are the cattle. The price of groundnut cake too has doubled in the recent months,” complains S. Ponnusamy, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam.

Pudukottai district reeled under drought last year too and farmers had to spend Rs. 5,000 or Rs. 3,000 for a load of a tractor or a mini van respectively.

According to Mr. Ponnusamy unscrupulous elements, taking advantage of the situation, have been exploiting the hapless farmers. He urged the government to launch drought relief measures on a war-footing.

The government should dredge and deepen tanks immediately and borewells should also be sunk at strategic points, he said. He also suggested that the government should come forward to open fodder depots immediately.

When contacted, V. Mahalingam, regional joint director of animal husbandry, said the government had sanctioned depots for the supply of hay at subsidised rates in seven centres -- Viralimalai, Aranthangi, Tirumayam, Keeranur, Gandarvakottai, Alangudi, Ponnamaravathi. A kg of hay would be sold for Rs. 2, and the centres would be opened in a week's time, the official said.