COIMBATORE: With El Niño conditions raising the likelihood of a livestock fodder shortage in the coming months, the Coimbatore district administration has asked paddy straw producers to conserve and stock paddy straw instead of selling it to commercial firms.Paddy straw generated in large quantities after cultivation is a key dry fodder resource for cattle and buffaloes and forms a significant component of fodder availability for livestock rearers. However, officials said straw is increasingly diverted for bundling and other commercial uses, while a portion goes uncollected or is wasted during the harvest season.Citing the potential shortage period ahead, the administration said it is essential to ensure that adequate paddy straw is preserved for feeding livestock. Producers have been advised to avoid selling straw to commercial enterprises and maintain stocks for local fodder needs.Commercial firms have been requested not to use paddy straw for packaging. Farmers were urged to prevent burning, abandoning in fields, or avoidable wastage of usable straw after harvest, and to store it wherever feasible.Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), self-help groups (SHGs), dairy cooperative societies and community organisations have been asked to take up collection, aggregation and storage of surplus paddy straw to strengthen fodder security and ensure locally available crop residues are used as livestock feed during the expected shortage period.
