Major Central Government initiative to promote animal husbandry and fodder production

The Department of Rural Development and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Central Government have issued a joint advisory to all States and Union Territories to improve fodder availability in rural areas and strengthen the infrastructural facilities of the animal husbandry sector. This will be carried out under the Viksit Bharat-Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural): VB–G RAM G Act, 2025. The main objective of this initiative is to eliminate fodder shortage, strengthen animal husbandry-related infrastructure, and support the livelihoods of rural families, especially small and marginal farmers, as well as landless families dependent on animal husbandry and dairy activities.

Under the VB–G RAM G Act, which came into effect from 1 July 2026, rural families are provided a legal guarantee of employment with 125 days of wages per year. Under this Act, sustainable assets are created in four main themes, which include livelihood-related infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events. The purpose of this joint advisory is to use this infrastructure to increase fodder production, develop community grasslands, and enhance facilities supporting animal husbandry.

Under this framework, 22 relevant works have been identified from a list of 375 approved works for fodder and animal husbandry-related infrastructural facilities. These 22 works include important sectors such as fodder cultivation and storage, development of grasslands, animal shelters, dairy infrastructure, and veterinary health facilities. All these works will be carried out in compliance with the Act, rules, and guidelines so that livelihood based on animal husbandry can become more sustainable.

The government has emphasized decentralized and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) managed planning in this process. Fodder development and animal husbandry facilities will be included in the 'Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan' (VGPP) and linked with local development priorities approved by the Gram Sabha. States and Union Territories are encouraged to spend at least 5% of the total programme cost on fodder and animal husbandry-related works, where local needs and approved schemes exist.

By adopting a need-based approach, families and communities that require fodder and animal husbandry-related assets will be identified. Panchayats will have to pay special attention to areas where dependence on animal husbandry is higher, especially in Gram Panchayats where more than 30% of the population is dependent on animal husbandry. For this planning, state-specific fodder resource development plans prepared by the ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (ICAR–IGFRI) can serve as guiding documents. Additionally, emphasis has also been placed on using suitable fodder varieties and monsoon grass to combat weather challenges.

States and Union Territories will have to prepare a comprehensive 'State Action Plan' for fodder security and animal husbandry infrastructure by coordinating between the departments of Rural Development, Animal Husbandry, and Agriculture. This integrated approach will ensure effective use of resources and investment will be in line with local needs. All works will be subject to strict compliance conditions of the VB–G RAM G Act, which include mandatory social audits, a 40% limit on material component at the district level, selection of beneficiaries as per Schedule I, weekly public disclosure, and grievance redressal process.

Through this initiative, an attempt is being made to link rural employment, natural resource management, and animal husbandry development. This will increase fodder availability, support dairy and animal husbandry activities, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural families while moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

On the other hand, the first National Saras Mela organized in Vijayawada has also recorded great success in the field of rural livelihood. This mela was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in which approximately 1,500 women entrepreneurs from more than 30 States and Union Territories participated. Organized through 600 stalls, this mela saw an average of 45,000 to 50,000 visitors daily and a total of more than 12 lakh people visited. A total sale of more than ₹12.8 crore was recorded during the mela, in which 'Saras Shakti Food Court' recorded a sale of more than ₹1.9 crore. Handicrafts and handlooms accounted for 75% of the sales, and the highest selling stall reached up to ₹15.6 lakh.

President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated this mela on 15 October 2026. She visited the stalls and interacted with 'Lakhpati Didis'. She noted that along with the increase in women entrepreneurship, the participation of rural women in the economic decision-making process has also increased. Governor of Andhra Pradesh Shri S. Abdul Nazir, Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Union Ministers Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Shri K. Rammohan Naidu, and Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar were also present at this occasion. On this occasion, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav and the Ambassador of China Shri Zhu Feihong also visited.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the government is working to strengthen women's economic independence through technology and better marketing. He spoke about adopting models like Andhra Pradesh's 'She Marts' and 'Swayam Andhra' brand across the country. Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu encouraged women to become job providers instead of just job seekers. In the final days of the mela, difficulties were faced in Vijayawada due to 'Cyclone Arnab', due to which the mela had to be temporarily closed on 28 and 29 October, but safety was ensured by the administration.

The progress of 21 women entrepreneurs was showcased in the 'Lakhpati Didis' pavilion, among whom 11 Didis had an annual turnover between ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. Lakhpati Didi refers to those women whose annual household income is at least ₹1 lakh. The stories of successful women like Chandrakala of Lotus SHG from Tirupati were also seen in this mela, who took over the wood carving business after the death of her husband and now her annual turnover is more than ₹1 crore. Similarly, Siddhi of Mahamaya SHG from North Goa has taken her business to an annual turnover of more than ₹60 lakh by obtaining foreign orders through Instagram. Through this mela, women got an opportunity to gain understanding about pricing, quality, and packaging. Members of 10 Farmer Producer Organizations and 15 Cluster-Level Federations also participated in this program.