Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, a major dairy-producing region, is facing a severe fodder shortage following a prolonged dry spell and significant rainfall deficit. Authorities are preparing a contingency plan to support livestock and dairy farmers through the 2026–27 agricultural season.
Between June 1 and July 28, the district received just 66.8 mm of rainfall against the normal 175.7 mm, a 62% deficit. The resulting water shortage has affected cultivation of groundnut, paddy, maize, sorghum, millets and pulses, reducing the availability of crop residues used as livestock feed.
The district has around 5.05 lakh livestock, with fodder requirements estimated at 2.32 lakh tonnes between July and September. Several mandals, including Nagari, Nindra, Vijayapuram, Gudipala and Bangarupalem, are expected to face shortages, while areas around Kuppam and Palamaner are projected to have surplus stocks. Authorities plan to transport fodder from surplus to deficit areas.
Proposed measures include subsidised fodder seed distribution, promotion of short-duration fodder crops, village-level fodder banks, scientific silage preparation and wider distribution of chaff cutters. Special livestock shelters and cattle camps are also being considered to prevent distress sales.
The fodder shortage comes as the district targets increasing milk production to 40 lakh litres per day, making timely feed and fodder interventions critical for sustaining dairy productivity and farmer incomes.
