Parliament Question: Fodder cost burden in Erode, Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2026 FODDER COST BURDEN IN ERODE, TAMIL NADU 3736 SHRI ANTHIYUR P. SELVARASU: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has assessed fodder cost burden and supply constraints for dairy farmers in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, including Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam areas facing price volatility, (b) if so, the details of Government fodder development support, subsidy utilisation, distribution mechanisms, beneficiary coverage and monitoring steps undertaken in Erode district, and (c) the measures proposed to be taken by Government to establish fodder banks, strengthen silage support and improve dairy farmer grievance handling systems in the said district? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) As per information received from Government of Tamil Nadu, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying regularly reviews the availability of fodder and feed resources in the State including Erode. Reports indicate that fodder constitutes a significant component of dairy production costs and that seasonal shortages of green fodder occur in certain regions including districts such as Erode, particularly during lean periods. (b). The Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing various fodder development initiatives under the State Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Department and Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (TCMPF), which also benefit dairy farmers in Erode district. The key measures include: i) Fodder Development Support : • Promotion of high-yielding fodder crops such as Bajra Napier hybrid grass through distribution of fodder slips and seeds to farmers. • Expansion of fodder cultivation through irrigated and rainfed fodder programmes including sorghum and cowpea fodder crops. • Community Fodder development through meikkal land rejuvenation. • Encouraging farmers to grow fodder crops as intercrop in orchards and coconut/mango plantation. • Production of green fodder in departmental farms for supply to livestock owners during lean periods. • Supply of dry fodder to the livestock farmers at subsidized price during lean periods. • Certified seed production is exclusively taken through Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (TCMPF) in Salem and Erode district to ensure availability of quality fodder seeds.• A baled silage making unit has been established at Sathyamangalam, Erode district to support dairy farmers by producing preserved green fodder (maize silage) for livestock ii) Subsidy Components: • Subsidized distribution of fodder seeds, fodder slips and fodder tree saplings to dairy farmers. • Distribution of power-driven chaff cutters to small and marginal farmers at about 50% subsidy to reduce fodder wastage and improve feed utilisation. • Incentives for fodder cultivation in farmers’ fields and intercropping in plantations. iii) Distribution Mechanism: Inputs and benefits are distributed through veterinary dispensaries, livestock farms and dairy cooperative societies functioning under District dairy unions of Aavin. iv) Beneficiary Coverage: Priority is given to small and marginal dairy farmers, women farmers, members of milk cooperative societies and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries. v) Monitoring: Implementation is monitored by district-level officers and State level officers of the Animal Husbandry Department through periodic inspections, progress reports and review meetings. (c) The Government of Tamil Nadu proposes to undertake the following measures to establish fodder banks, strengthen silage support and improve dairy farmer grievance handling systems in the said district : • Bringing additional area under high yielding perennial fodder crop cultivation. • Distribution of fodder seeds at subsidized rate to cover rainfed areas • Establishment and strengthening of fodder banks and Promotion of fodder storage and baling facilities in departmental farms to store green fodder during surplus seasons and supply during lean periods. • Encouraging community-level fodder cultivation through farmer groups and self-help groups. • Establishment of Integrated Livestock Farms at the block level in Meikkal /Mandaiveli lands (Common Property Resources – CPR) through Public–Private Partnership (PPP) mode to ensure sustained availability of green fodder and livestock support services at the block level. • Promotion of silage production and fodder conservation techniques through training and extension programmes. • Establishment of TMR production unit at co-operatives to ensure distribution of balanced feed to the livestock of dairy farmers. • Strengthening grievance-redressal mechanisms through dairy cooperative societies, district milk unions and veterinary extension services to ensure timely resolution of issues faced by dairy farmers. These measures aim to improve fodder availability and strengthen institutional support for dairy farmers in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. ****