Livestock Numbers Drop 23% in Udupi, Alarm Sparks Among Farmers

Udupi district recorded a sharp 23‑percent decline in livestock numbers, according to recent data, sending a warning signal to local farmers and government agencies.

Experts attribute the drop to a combination of factors, including a severe heatwave last month, outbreaks of foot‑and‑mouth disease among cattle, and a slump in market prices that discouraged livestock rearing. The sudden fall in animal populations has already been linked to reduced milk production and a shortage of meat supplies in the region.

The downturn poses significant risks to the livelihood of the district’s agrarian community, many of whom depend on livestock for income and nutrition. Officials have announced emergency assistance programmes and intensified disease‑control measures to shore up the sector. Source: Google News – Udupi.