Udupi Faces 23% Drop in Livestock Stock, Farmers Alarmed

Data released by the Karnataka State Livestock Department indicates that the number of cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep in Udupi district has fallen by 23% compared to the previous year, a decline that has caught the attention of local farmers and authorities alike.

Experts cite a combination of factors for the shrinkage, including the spread of foot‑and‑mouth disease, delayed veterinary interventions, and a sharp rise in feed prices that reduced feed availability for livestock owners. Additionally, inadequate coverage of government subsidies and monitoring challenges during the monsoon months are said to have aggravated the situation.

Farmers in Udupi are now pressing the state government for emergency support such as revised subsidy rates, improved outreach for vaccination and feed procurement schemes. They warn that if the decline continues, it could trigger higher milk prices, reduced crop yields from manure shortages, and overall economic strain on rural households. Source: Google News – Udupi.