Buyer Absence Paralyzes Chitradurga Cattle Trade
Drought fears have severely impacted the cattle market at the APMC premises in Chitradurga, the largest livestock hub in central Karnataka. Farmers and traders from Davangere, Ballari, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad, Gadag, Belagavi, and even Andhra Pradesh, who typically flock here to buy livestock, are staying away this season, according to market officials.
M N Yogesh reports that the usual influx of buyers has dwindled sharply, leaving sellers stranded with unsold animals. The market, which sees thousands of cattle traded weekly, has witnessed a dramatic drop in footfall, with many regular purchasers citing uncertainty over fodder and water availability due to deficient rainfall.
Price Collapse and Trader Distress
Prices of cattle have fallen by 30–40% compared to last year, traders said. A healthy milch cow that would fetch ₹50,000 now struggles to attract bids above ₹30,000. Bullock prices have similarly plummeted as farmers hesitate to invest in draft animals when crop prospects look bleak.
“We have never seen such a bad season. Buyers from Andhra and even from within Karnataka are not coming because they fear drought will kill their animals,” said Hanumanthappa, a livestock trader who has been operating in Chitradurga for two decades. According to him, the market usually handles over 2,000 head of cattle per day, but that number has dropped to under 500.
District-Wide Impact and Government Response
The drought scare is not limited to the cattle market. Chitradurga district has recorded 35% below-normal rainfall this monsoon, as per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre. The agriculture department has advised farmers to shift to drought-resistant crops, but livestock owners have few options.
Karnataka’s revenue minister has assured that relief measures will be announced if rainfall deficit persists, but no concrete steps have been taken yet. Traders demand that the government provide fodder subsidies and open cattle camps to prevent distress sales.
The Chitradurga APMC chairman stated, “We are monitoring the situation. If buyers continue to stay away, we may have to cancel market days.” Meanwhile, small farmers are selling their cattle at throwaway prices to avoid feeding costs, exacerbating losses.
