Drought: Hapless farmers selling cattle

RAICHUR: The severe drought, which has brought untold misery to the farming community, has pushed many of them to the stage of selling their cattle for whatever little price they can get.

With farmers finding it difficult to make both ends meet in view of the continuous failure of crops in the last two-three seasons, the rearing of cattle and other animal has become a major burden for them. The severe water crisis as well as shortage of fodder, have made their lives miserable, forcing them to sell their cattle.

“In the prevailing situation, I am finding it difficult to raise my family. How do I look after my cattle? When I have little water for myself, how do I take care of them? As a result, many small farmers are opting to sell their cattle ” says Mallappa, a farmer from Hokrana village in Manvi taluk.

But the low price for their cattle has shattered them. “Even though we want to sell, there are not enough purchasers, especially from the farming community. As a result very low prices are being offered for animals”, he rues.

It’s not just the weak and emaciated cattle that are thronging the weekly markets held in different parts of the district. Even well nourished bullocks of various breeds such as Ongole, Devani, Kilari, were brought to the local fair for selling.

“Many farmers are distraught and are pained by the thought of parting with their cattle, which are an intrinsic part of their life. But due to the critical situation, we are compelled to sell them”, another farmer Mallikarjun from Kallur village remarked.