Feed Security: A Challenge for India’s Dairy Supremacy

Over a span of 5 decades India has transformed from a country of acute milk shortage to the world's leading producer with an annual production of 210 MMT in 2021. With a widespread network of veterinary services, artificial insemination, farmers' education and feed availability, India is now aiming to become a dairy to the world in the next decade. In the light of increasing demand for dairy products driven by the growing population, higher purchasing power of the customers, increased focus on nutrition and the growing aversion for unbranded and loose products, milk production in India is set to reach approximately 628 MMT in the next 25 years i.e., till 2047.

The aim of achieving the gigantic milk production level of 628 MMT requires a strategic and focused development plan in sectors related to infrastructural investment, supply chain efficiency, human resources, and most importantly on the quality of cattle. While a lot of work has been undertaken in improving the genetic potential of different breeds, substantial efforts are still required in improving animal nutrition. Evidence suggests that a nutrition rich balanced diet fed to an animal is much more effective in increasing the productivity of an animal.

Current Scenario - India
India caters to approximately 20% of the world's livestock population and about 17.5% of the human population on just 2.3% of the world's land area. The human population is increasing at a pace of 1.6% per annum, while the livestock population is increasing at a rate of 0.66% per year. India's livestock population expanded from 512.06 million in 2012 to 535.82 million in 2019, representing a 4.6% increase over the last census with an annual growth rate of 0.66%.

Challenges
These increasing human and animal populations are fighting tooth and nail for land resources for food and fodder production, respectively. Animal feed contributes to 70% of the total cost of milk production for the farmer. In India, however, several agencies have reported a shortage of feed resources. Additionally, the resources available are not being utilized judiciously. Fodder crops are cultivated only on about 4.9 percent of the gross cropped area of the country and this area has been static for last 25 years.

At present, the country faces a net deficit (demand vs supply) of around 31% green fodder (851 vs 590 million tonnes), 12% dry forages (531 vs 468 million tonnes) and 29% concentrate (86 vs 61 million tonnes), which is creating a deficit in nutrient supply in terms of protein (CP) and energy.

India's livestock sector offers considerable scope for productivity enhancement and contribution to GDP. Our cattle produce four to seven times less milk per lactation as compared to Europe, United States, or Israel. The low productivity of livestock may be attributed to various reasons, but inadequate supplies of quality feeds and fodder remains to draw prime focus. Thus, any attempt towards enhancing livestock productivity should consider the feed availability.

This increasing livestock population puts further pressure on limited land resources for green fodder supply. Additionally, non-availability of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation on time, as well as the limited availability of cultivable land for fodder crops are major concerns in enhancing the fodder yield from the limited land available. Also, in the absence of efficient preservation and storage techniques, the chances of fodder wastage are likely; as a result, farmers are hesitant to make heavy investment in fodder production. The current requirement for concentrated feed in the Indian market is of 84 MMT and only 61 MMT is available against it. In the next 25 years, this requirement will shoot up to approximately 252 MMT till 2050. An investment of Rs. 1.25 lakh crores will be required to enhance the production capacity commensurate with the demand for fodder and to achieve the target of 628 MMT milk production in the next 2 decades.

In view of these challenges, the stakeholders, the policy makers, and the government must intervene to break this wheel of inadequacy and ensure year-round supply of fodder and forage.

Suggested Plan of Action to Overcome Challenges

• A national policy must be developed for rehabilitation of degraded grasslands, capacity building for people involved in fodder crop production and collaborative management of grasslands with local communities.
• Another policy level intervention is required for regulating the burning of useful crop residues and diversion to industries that can convert such residues into edible fodder for livestock.
• Fodder crops must be given insurance cover along with minimum support price similar to that of agricultural crops so as to promote its cultivation.
• Fodder development programs should be tied to MNREGA and other central/state government programs. Fodder development programs need to be tailored to fit with central government schemes such as National Livestock Mission, Horticulture Mission, and National Rural Livelihoods Mission, etc. Livestock producers can also benefit from a financial credit and a link to the market for a better remuneration.
• More work is required in promoting rainwater harvesting at the village level. The future of fodder cultivation lies at the village level where water availability will be of paramount importance.
• Similarly, the government should partner with dairy co-operatives and provide wastelands for fodder cultivation.