Drought pushes Latur farmers to harvest sugarcane as cattle feed

Farmers in Latur district are grappling with a severe fodder crisis triggered by inadequate rainfall. Unable to source feed for their livestock, many are resorting to harvesting sugarcane crops — their cash crop — to sustain cattle, a measure born of desperation.

The shortfall has cascaded into reduced milk production, directly eroding farmer incomes at a time when agricultural distress is already high. The Maharashtra government has declared drought conditions in a majority of talukas across the state and announced relief measures in response.

Local farmers are urging authorities to establish fodder camps urgently to ease the crisis and prevent further damage to their livestock and livelihoods.