The details of the losses were submitted during a meeting at the district collectorate on Monday. The district in-charge minister Jaspal Singh was present at the meet. Senior officials of the collectorate, Panchayat, irrigation and the agriculture departments, who participated in the meet, however, maintained that there was no problem whatsoever of drinking water or fodder.

According to an administration spokesman, unlike other districts of the State, Vadodara's proximity to major rivers -- Mahi and Narmada -- had ensured continued land fertility. In addition, almost all 12 talukas of the district had enjoyed about half its average rainfall of 900 mm, which, while making for a poor yield, but prevented crops from dying completely.

Issues like agricultural pests and diseases were also discussed at the meet, the spokesman said. There will be a renewed drive to educate farmers, he added.

The spokesman said fodder, maize, pulses and cotton -- the main crops of the district -- had been sown in about five lakh hectares this season. At least 50 per cent of the total yield has been damaged, triggering losses of Rs 30 crore, Rs 21 crore, Rs 40 crore and Rs 45 crore, respectively.

Meanwhile, according to official information, contrary to some reports, there is no problem of availability of grass or hay for cattle in talukas that had received more than 125 mm rainfall till date. Padra, which received 105 mm rain, is the odd one out.

While admitting that the poor rain and yield may cause a problem in the next season too, officials said the yield of fodder had been good in the 11 other talukas of the district.

Drought-affected
Padra taluka has been declared drought-affected. An administration spokesman said the declaration followed the scanty rainfall and the low production of fodder in the current season.