The free fodder centres, set up by government, have come in handy for farmers in Anantapur district, where most wells have dried up and the depleting water table has made hand pumps empty.

The free fodder centres, set up by government, have come in handy for farmers in Anantapur district, where most wells have dried up and the depleting water table has made hand pumps empty.

It would have been a disaster for farmers had not government provided their cattle with free fodder for the last two months.

Fodder centres at Penukonda, Madakasira and Pennahobilam are currently accommodating over 25,000 cattle. In all, 4,469.98 metric tonnes of fodder were supplied to the three fodder centres, according to officials.

Meanwhile, the Shirdi Sai Global Trust has been providing mid-day meals to farmers who come with their cattle to the Penukonda fodder centre.

Farmers were also provided with meals at the Madakasira fodder centre under the aegis of minister for revenue N. Raghuveera Reddy’s family.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Regions> Anantapur / by DC Correspondent / Hindupur (Anantapur) / July 05th, 2012