Udupi District Sees 23% Drop in Livestock, Farmers Warned of Economic Shock

Farmers in Udupi District are sounding the alarm after a recent report revealed a 23% fall in the local livestock population. The significant decline raises worries among the agricultural community about both immediate income losses and future food supply security.

The data, sourced from field surveys conducted in August, shows that hundreds of dairy cattle, sheep and goats have perished or been sold due to disease and scarcity of fodder. This figure is illustrated by incidents of outbreaks such as foot-and-mouth disease and sporadic poisoning from contaminated feed, which have further strained the already vulnerable rural economy in the region.

The impact extends beyond the farmers: shopkeepers selling dairy products and traders dealing in animal feed have reported reduced sales, while the local dairy cooperative has already announced a support fund to help with the replacement cost of the lost animals. Local government officials have called for tighter biosecurity practices, instant veterinary care and financial aid for the most affected families. Source: Google News – Udupi.