Patiala, May 30 -- A sharp rise in the prices of wheat husk, locally known as "tudi" - an essential component of cattle feed - has begun to severely impact "gaushalas" (cow shelters) and dairy farmers across Punjab. With industries increasingly using wheat husk as a low-cost fuel alternative, fodder prices have nearly doubled in several districts, prompting widespread calls for government intervention.

According to gaushala operators and dairy farmers, the price of "tudi" has increased from around Rs.400-500 per quintal to Rs.900-1,200 per quintal over the past few months. The surge has been attributed to rising demand from brick kilns, biomass power plants and paper mills, which have started procuring large quantities of wheat husk for ...