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New Delhi: India is facing an acute shortage of dry fodder, according to two scientists at the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), pointing to a supply gap that could further push up milk prices.
The reduction of between 25% and 90% of critical livestock inputs is due to increasing cattle population, reduced availability of grasslands, stubble burning and use of paddy straw for ethanol production – which would otherwise become fodder.
According to one of the scientists at the Jhansi-based research institute, there is a 25% shortage of dry fodder in the mainland areas, but it is more pronounced in the northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh, where it is up to 90%.
Both scientists spoke anonymously Peppermint.
This development is significant as retail milk prices have been rising year-on-year as feed, a key feed component for livestock, has become more expensive. All India average retail milk price on Sunday was Rs 57.52 per liter 54.9 during the same period last year.
This person said, 70% of the cost of livestock management comes from fodder, with the remaining 30% spent on breeding and health care.
The second scientist said the shortage of dry fodder is mainly due to shifting of paddy straw to industry for ethanol production, shrinking of grasslands and rapid increase in livestock population.
According to the 20th Livestock Census released by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in June, India’s cattle population has increased from 40 million at the time of independence to 527 million now.
However, the area described as grassland remains almost the same as at the time of independence.
The increasing mechanization of agriculture has also affected natural sources of dry fodder, such as crop residues generated from the husks of paddy, wheat, pulses and oil cakes, the second person said, adding that 40% of crop residues are used as animal feed. .
Presently, India is facing fodder crisis with the difficult challenge of producing adequate feed and fodder from the already shrinking land resource.
According to Land Use Statistics 2018-19, out of India’s 328.7 million hectares of land area, 139.3 million hectares is net sown area and 197.3 million hectares is gross cropped area. Additionally, irregular fodder supply or drought-like conditions during summer months increase the gap in the supply chain.
The recent estimated deficiency in green fodder is 11.24%, and in case of dry fodder is 23.4%.
“The shortage is regional and seasonal as well. Production increases during monsoon while it falls to minimum levels in summer. The pasture area is decreasing. We are demanding the creation of a National Grassland Authority to identify all the grassland areas available in the country and work on its sustainable utilization, said another scientist.
Queries sent to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Agriculture Department and IGFRI remained unanswered till press time.
India ranks fourth in global feed production with 43.3 million tonnes. According to the International Feed Industry Federation, the global animal feed market was worth $501.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $606.3 billion by 2028.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the world will have to produce 60% more food by 2050 to feed the total population, which is expected to increase to 9.3 billion. This also impacts animal-based protein production, which will have to be increased.
