More Feed, Better Productivity

Context: The Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed seeks to enhance livestock productivity and farmers’ income.

Significance of the Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Scheme

            
      

• Supplementing farmer’s income: Studies have indicated that by growing fodder crops, one can earn Rs.1.60 by investing Rs.1 as compared to Rs 1.20 in the case of cereals like wheat and rice.
  • Livestock is a  major source of cash income for about 13 crore marginal farmers and is insurance in the event of crop failure.
  • About 200 million Indians are involved in dairy and livestock farming, and India has a livestock population of 535.78 million.
• Promoting entrepreneurship through the hub and spoke model: The Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed intends to create a network of entrepreneurs who will make silage (the hub) and sell them directly to the farmers (the spoke); Thus, funding of the hub will lead to the development of the spoke. 
  • The large-scale production of silage will bring down the input cost for farmers since silage is much cheaper than concentrate feed.
  • Private entrepreneurs, self-help groups, farmer producer organisations, dairy cooperative societies, and Section 8 companies (NGOs) can avail themselves of the benefits under this scheme.
• Furthering infrastructure development: The scheme will provide 50% capital subsidy up to Rs 50 lakh towards project cost to the beneficiary for infrastructure development and for procuring machinery.
• Ensuring availability of green fodder: Farmers will receive subsidies and incentives to create a consistent supply chain of feed throughout the year, promoting farmers to grow green fodder between crop seasons and converting it into silage, raising the prospects of entrepreneurship.