Govt to bring national fodder policy: Agri Min

Faced with fodder shortage in the country, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said the government will bring out a national fodder policy to boost domestic production.
There is a need to make law to stop burning of the crop residues in the field to increase fodder availability and protect environment, the minister said.
"Fodder sources in India are from crop residues, cultivated fodder, forages and forests, permanent pastures and grazing lands. Currently, India is facing a deficit of about 35.6 per cent of green fodder and about 10.9 per cent of dried fodder," Singh said while inaugurating the 23rd International Grassland Congress here.

He said, despite shortage of fodder, India is the world's largest milk producer with 138 million tonnes of output.
"It is imperative for the nation to produce food not only to feed its more than one billion home population bust also for an equal number of livestock," he added.
Speaking on the sidelines, Singh said: "We will come out with a national fodder policy to address the problem of fodder shortages".

The minister also said that "law should be made to stop crop burning" as this would help in not only increase fodder supply but protect environment as well.
Asked about crop conditions, Singh said the government has been able to minimise the damage on Kharif crops despite deficit monsoon. There is not much impact of deficit rains on the ongoing rabi sowing season, he said.

Singh emphasised on the need of a strong services sector in rural India and said this should include agri-business centers and agri-clinics on a big scale.