Centre releases Rs. 119.5 cr for integrated development of fodder commodity

NEW DELHI: The Centre has released Rs. 119.5 crore to 12 States for integrated development of fodder under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme ( AFDP) in the current financial year so far.

Rs. 300 crore have been allocated for this programme in 2011-12. The scheme is part of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

The livestock sector in India contributes to nearly 32% of total agricultural output. India, with 2.3% share of global geographical area, supports nearly 20% of the livestock population of the world and therefore requires a steady supply of fodder for supporting the huge livestock population. Only 4% of total cropping area is under fodder cultivation. It has resulted in a severe deficit of green fodder (36%), dry fodder (40%) and concentrates (57%).

The scheme aims at bridging this shortfall in demand for fodder from crop residues and agricultural bi-products.

The programme envisages accelerating production of fodder through promotion of integrated technologies and processes for enhancing the availability of fodder throughout the year.