Severe drought triggers distress selling of cattle in Belagavi

Belagavi: Farmers believe that it's a sin to keep cattle unfed, a sin that will lead to a curse on the farm. And this belief is driving cattle to the slaughterhouse.
"It is better to sell our cattle at cheap rates instead of facing their curse by keeping them with empty stomachs in our homes," seems to be the common belief of farmers in Athani, Gokak and Raibaug taluks.Drought has made it difficult to provide fodder and water to cattle. Both the rabi and kharif crops failed in these taluks. There is no water in dams, lakes and tanks. Sugarcane bill payments have been delayed.
The main cattle markets at Mudalagi, Yaragatti, Khanapur, Ankali, Bagewadi, Bailhongal and Kittur are seeing increased levels of business. Farmers crowd to these markets to sell their cattle. And the cattle sold here end up at the slaughterhouse. The cows which were bought at Rs 50,000 are being sold at Rs 25,000-30,000. The buyers are usually brokers who make up to 100% profits on the re-sales to slaughterhouses. "I bought a beautiful pair of oxen for Rs 70,000. I sold them for Rs 45,000 at the Mudalagi cattle market recently. I had no choice. And now they will be slaughtered. It's breaking my heart," said Irappa Melavanki of Melvanki village, Gokak taluk.
"There are no farmers buying cattle in the market; brokers are buying them and selling them to slaughterhouses at double rates. Due to the unavailability of fodder, farmers are using their oxen only during sowing and harvesting and then, selling them back again," said Santosh Chougule of Raibag.
"There are 34 fodder banks and two goshalas in Belagavi district. But there is no fodder bank or goshala in Gokak taluk. Three fodder banks in Raibag and six fodder banks in Athani are actively providing fodder. We have not had complaints from farmers about selling cattle to slaughterhouses," said Dr A K Chandrashekhar, deputy director, animal husbandry department. There are 14,01,244 cattle in Belagavi district, including 1,95,746 in Athani, 2,07,304 in Gokak, and 1,84,699 in Raibag taluks as per the 2012 census.