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.