Drought’s Harsh Reality: Farmer in Solapur Pawns Wife’s Mangalsutra to Feed Cattle
Dairy Farmers in Deep Distress
Mangalwedha (Solapur): The severe drought gripping Solapur district has forced a dairy farmer to take an extreme step just to keep his animals alive. Sanjay Rajge, a dairy farmer from Khupsangi village in Mangalwedha taluka, pledged his wife’s mangalsutra to raise ₹90,000 and buy fodder for his cattle.
With fodder completely exhausted, Rajge had no other option left to save his 10 adult cattle and two calves.
Dairy Farmers in Deep Distress
Rising costs of fodder and water have pushed the dairy business into a serious crisis. Many farmers are now being forced to consider selling their animals. However, with cattle prices remaining low in the market, they find themselves trapped in a double crisis — unable to afford fodder, yet unable to get a fair price for their livestock.
Demand for Immediate Fodder Camps
Farmers are urging the government to immediately set up fodder camps (chara chhawani) in the drought-hit areas to provide relief and prevent further distress.
Farmer’s Quote
“I had no option left. To keep my 10 cattle and two calves alive, I had to pledge my wife’s mangalsutra to arrange money for fodder.”
