Govt Holds a Review Meeting to Avoid Fodder Supply Crisis in Future

The government stated that there is no current fodder supply crisis, but that prices remain high and that measures are being taken to address any future shortages. According to a senior official, current fodder prices are in line with other agri-products, and states have not reported any shortages for the time being.

The issue of fodder supply was discussed at a review meeting on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and was attended by representatives from 15 state governments as well as various stakeholders. In addition, the government has decided to expedite the establishment of 100 fodder FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Dry fodder prices have risen to Rs 8-14 per kg from Rs 5-6 per kg in the previous year, indicating general inflation. The price trend is also affected by location, and the availability of green fodder is seasonal, according to the official. According to the official, in a typical year, the country has a deficit of 12-15 percent, 25-26 percent, and 36% in green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrated fodder, respectively. Seasonal and regional factors are primarily to blame for the deficits.

However, the current inflationary trend in fodder is due to a decline in wheat crop and an increase in input costs such as diesel, according to the official. The total area under fodder is approximately 4.6 percent of cropped area, and this has remained constant over the last four decades.

According to the official, the government has decided to connect the deficit states with surplus fodder-producing states of Punjab and Haryana in order to address short-term fodder shortages in traditionally dry areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan, as well as states with less rain.  "In Punjab and Haryana, some units have emerged that produce fodder from basmati rice straw and have a surplus of fodder. This fodder will last a year, and we intend to connect these two states with those in need," the official said.

NDDB also decided to expedite the establishment of fodder FPOs at the review meeting. The official stated, "The nodal union agriculture ministry has agreed to approve 100 FPOs by next week." The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is promoting quality seeds and entrepreneurs in fodder production as part of a long-term strategy to improve fodder supply.

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Secretaries from the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh participated virtually in the hour-long review meeting. Union Agriculture Ministry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Indian Institute of Grassland and Fodder Research (IGFR) representatives were also present.