(a) the demand for fodder vis-a-vis its production during the last three years and the current year,
State-wise;
(b) the funds allocated, released and utilised to/by the States under the Centrally
Sponsored Fodder Development Schemes during the said period, State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken to boost the production of fodder in the country?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) There is no system in place to assess the production and demand of fodder on year to year basis. However,
as per a study awarded by the Department to NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), State-wise production and
requirement of fodder has been assessed and is given at Annexure-I.
(b) Under Centrally Sponsored Fodder Development Scheme, the State-wise funds released and their status
of utilization is given at Aanexure-II&III.
(c) To boost fodder production in the country, Department is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Fodder
Development Scheme under which funds are provided to States for undertaking fodder development activities.
Besides this, under Central Sector Scheme, seven Regional Stations for Forage Production & Demonstration
and one Central Fodder Seed Production Farm are operating in different agro-climatic zones to reduce the
gap between requirement and supply of fodder in the country. Under ongoing Central Minikit Testing Programme,
fodder seed Minikits are distributed, free of cost, to the fanners with the objective of introduction of new
high yielding fodder varieties to enhance fodder and fodder seed production, During 2009-10, 9.23 lakh
Minikits have been distributed against the target of 6.00 lakh. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY),
proposals on feed and fodder development amounting to Rs. 3471.13 lakh have been supported and under Special
Livestock and Fisheries Sector package for 31 Suicide Prone Districts, funds to the tune of Rs. 218.00 lakh
have been released, so far.