After floods, cattle now staring at starvation in Kerala

Pashu Sandesh, 09 September 2018

Recent devastating floods in Kerala not only affected humans but a great deal of cattle lost lives too. Kerala Animal Husbandry department estimated death of 10,000 cattle in flood-affected districts of the state. According to estimates, around 12,000 goats and 7 lakh poultry also perished during the floods. Dairy industry suffered an estimated loss of 400 Crore. Around 50000 cattle saved by erecting temporary shelters but now a grim reality is in the reckoning in the form of fodder shortage.

There has been scarcity of the fodder. As per the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation (FIAPO) Deputy Campaign Director V Prasanth, 10 tonnes of mineral mixture and cattle feed is already distributed. He also urged state government to stock fodder as there is now improved rail and road connectivity following recession of floods. As per an estimate around 100 tons of fodder is required for each flood affected district. NDDB is also collaborating with the Karnataka Dairy Federation to provide fodder and the Veterinary medicines.

Kerala floods have severely affected the Dairy industry and shortage of fodder is only going to compound the problem even further.