In Phaltan tehsil of Satara too, most of the farmers like Vilas Sampath Gaikwad, who have lost hopes of reaping a crop this season, are worried for their cattle. He had sown bajra on his two acres. Good rains would have ensured that the saplings were a foot-long now. But that was not to be. “They have barely sprouted. We will have to depend on the jowar from the rabi season for food at home. We can go hungry, but we cannot let the cattle go hungry,” said Gaikwad.

Recently, Gaikwad paid Rs 1,500 to take home half an acre worth of crop for his animals — two bulls, two calves, one cow and one buffalo. “This fodder will last four-five days. Then, we will have to think of some alternative means to feed the animals,” he said.

Because of the drought, the prices of the animals have also gone down. When Gaikwad bought the cattle they cost him Rs 50,000, now the going rate is Rs 15,000.

Mane hopes that there will be rains and the cattle would be saved. “Farmers will be able to reap a crop at least for the cattle if not for themselves. We are planning for fodder deployment, in case drought is declared. Planning is also on for employment guarantee schemes,” he said.