India, July 17 -- The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) crackdown on milk adulteration has triggered a surge in cattle theft across rural Maharashtra which according to farmers is a growing threat to the dairy business.

In the latest case reported from Purandar taluka in Pune district, thieves allegedly stole nine buffaloes and nine cows worth Rs.17.1 lakh from a dairy farm in Garade village. As per the Saswad police, dairy farmer Santosh Babasaheb Katke, 32, a resident of Bhivari village in Purandar taluka, lodged a complaint stating that the theft took place between 10 pm on July 13 and 5 am on July 14 at his cattle shed in Garade-Dhone Vasti.

Katke told the police that he returned home Monday night after completing some routine ...