The Gujarat government has launched a multi-pronged relief drive for farmers and livestock owners reeling from a rainfall deficit, with 16 lakh kg of fodder distributed across 301 villages, additional irrigation water released from key dams, and a 10-hour power supply extended to seven districts. Minister and government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani announced the measures at a press conference in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, 25 August.

Fodder Relief and Livestock Support

According to Vaghani, roughly 90,000 livestock have been covered under the fodder distribution programme so far. The state's Forest Department still holds 361 lakh kg of fodder in reserve, and Vaghani was categorical that no shortage exists. 'There is no shortage of fodder in the state; the government has sufficient stock available,' he said.

Fodder is being supplied to livestock owners at a concessional rate of ₹2 per kg to ease financial pressure. District collectors have been empowered to act immediately based on local ground conditions, ensuring faster last-mile delivery without bureaucratic delays.

Irrigation Water Released to Protect Standing Crops

On the irrigation front, the government has activated the Sauni and Sujalam Sufalam schemes to channel water from the Narmada-based pipeline network to lakes and dams in Saurashtra and North Gujarat. Drinking water is being supplied regularly to Pariyej and Kanewal lakes in the Mahi command area.

Vaghani also announced that irrigation water would be released from Kadana Dam to Anand and Kheda districts to prevent standing crops from drying out. The government has committed to using water management measures to reach remote areas and agricultural fields, he said.

Extended Power Supply for Seven Districts

While all districts currently receive eight hours of regular daily electricity for agricultural use, the government has already extended this to 10 hours in Amreli, Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Porbandar, and Junagadh, citing local geographical needs. Vaghani added that the extended supply was not restricted to these seven districts and could be expanded further if crop or water requirements demanded it.

Sugar Availability and Price Controls

Separately, Vaghani addressed concerns around sugar availability. Gujarat has 17 sugar mills with a combined daily crushing capacity of 73,800 tonnes, and more than 2 lakh farmers supply sugarcane to these mills annually. The state produces approximately 9 lakh metric tonnes of sugar each year, and mills currently hold around 18 lakh quintals of sugar in stock.

The mills are in their off-season and are expected to resume operations after 15 October. Vaghani noted that factory-gate sugar prices, which had earlier climbed above ₹6,500 per quintal, have since fallen below ₹6,000 following government intervention. He added that retail market prices would be brought under control 'in the near future.' He also clarified that no sugar cooperative in Gujarat produces ethanol directly from sugarcane — ethanol is derived from molasses obtained after sugar production.

What Comes Next

The Gujarat government has signalled that all relief measures — fodder supply, irrigation releases, and extended power — will be scaled up as the rainfall deficit persists. With the sugar milling season resuming after mid-October and district collectors on standby for immediate action, the state's response framework is designed to adapt to evolving conditions on the ground.