But, delayed rain and mismanagement by the state fodder distribution agencies, often compel her to return home empty-handed; she cannot afford to buy fodder from the private players.

Even distribution authorities kept mum for the next two days until a notice appeared on the office walls declaring no fodder was available.

On his part, Dahod District Collector R M Jadhav said that over 1.5 lakh kilos of fodder has been distributed in the district twice, over the last 20 days.

“There is no shortage of fodder in Dahod district. We have been delivering fodder at all the distribution points,” he said.

Elsewhere, taluka officials in Devgadh Baria have said that fodder supply has been badly affected by the delay in the monsoon. “We have no other choice but turn away these farmers because fodder is not available,” said the official refusing to come on record.

Sambhaben, who has two pregnant buffaloes, said she managed to buy fodder from private sellers in the last one week, but cannot do so any more.

Meanwhile, Devgadh Baria MLA Tusharsinh admitted that the problem of fodder has been affecting not just his constituency, but people all over Dahod.

“There are no rains and most of the waterbodies have dried up. There are no irrigation facilities in the area, while demand for fodder is the same,” said Tusharsinh.

He said he had approached the government officials from the agricultural department and found from them that fodder shortage was felt across the region.

Sambhaben and 100 more farmers had queued up in front of the fodder depot near Old Police Station in Devgadh Baria on Friday. “How can we afford to buy from private players as they sell fodder at Rs 700-750 for a bundle of 60 kg while here it is sold at Rs 240?” quipped Kanubhai Baria, who had come from Saliya, around 10 km from there to buy his share. Kanubhai now feeds his cattle whatever he can manage to get from the trees or roadsides.

Kanubhai’s farmer notebook issued to him by the agricultural department shows how the price of fodder has increased from June 16 till June 19. While he and many others like him paid Rs 120 for 60 kg fodder four days ago, now have to shell out Rs 240 for the same.