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.