To make the Green Fodder Mission climate-resilient, farmers turned to technology, improved seed varieties, legume-based soil enrichment, water-efficient irrigation, and fodder processing machines for silage and hay. And the output has been remarkable.

By Anamika Priyadarshini, Karunesh Shukla and Sonmani Choudhary

Sudha Devi, a small goat farmer in Panadol block of Madhubani district in Bihar, always wished to expand her herd as she knew it would not only increase her income but also help her cope with financial shocks, including those triggered by climate risks. Sudha’s struggle reflects a severe crisis of farm sector that is acknowledged by the Government of India as well. As per data shared by the Government in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament, India has a green fodder deficit of 11.24 to 32 per cent and a dry fodder deficit of 23 per cent. These statistics show the acute shortage of fodder, often manifested in survival crises for livestock and livelihood crises for livestock-farmers in India, where 45 per cent population still depends on agriculture for livelihoods. Almost 90 per cent of Indian farmers own less than two hectares land, and for most of them, livestock not only helps diversify incomes but also mitigate climate and market-induced risks.

The Government of India has often expressed concern over the fodder crisis and has undertaken multiple initiatives to address it. For instance, the National Livestock Mission’s Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development provides financial assistance for establishing fodder nurseries; promoting high-yield and drought-tolerant fodder varieties; and supporting silage-making units. Special efforts are being made to boost seed production, ensure timely distribution, and help farmers overcome seasonal shortages. Along with the Government, some stakeholders are actively engaged in addressing this crisis. In this context, the Green Fodder Mission (GFM) under the Bihar Sustainable Livelihood Development (BSLD) project, an initiative of Heifer International, stands out. Sudha Devi, Madhuri Devi and several other women farmers associated with BSLD have been leading this Mission.

From Goats to Green Fields: A Story of Transformation

In 2021, BSLD began to promote locally led sustainable development with 70,000 women farmers, comprising 46 per cent landless and 53 per cent owning less than 0.44 hectare. Most of them were sharecroppers, with limited control over resources and income. Goats were an integral part of these farming households, often among their very few assets. Recognizing this, BSLD set out to explore whether meaningful transformation could begin with the smallest assets like goat. Women farmers were trained in better feeding, mineral mixes, housing, and preventive healthcare, along with support to access finance and markets. Gradually, goat mortality dropped from 53 per cent in 2022 to just 9.6 per cent in 2025. The average herd size grew from 1.67 to 5.33 goats. Livestock, once a small sideline, now contributes nearly a quarter of annual household income. In just four years, it rose from INR 72,715 in 2022 to INR 240,262 in 2025.

Launch of the Green Fodder Mission

The growing herds soon outpaced available fodder, forcing farmers to seek lasting feed solutions. Determined to ensure year-round nutritious feed, BSLD farmers launched GFM in 2024. The Mission aims at cultivating 1000 acres of nutritious and climate-resilient fodder in Bihar. Women farmers’ collectives, especially Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and the Farmer Field Schools (FFSs), have been instrumental in accelerating GFM. Being implemented through FFSs and SHGs, the Mission is leveraging common lands, bunds, leased plots, homestead land, and privately owned fields.

Technology Inputs from Expert Institutions

Another challenge for the Mission was identifying climate-resilient fodder. BSLD works closely with the local Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agriculture universities like Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) Sabour. Along with the BAU and KVK experts, BSLD facilitates farmers to develop scientifically planned crop mix, as mentioned below, to ensure year-round supply.

KVK and BAU scientists/experts have also trained farmers in modern agronomy, mechanized planting, precision harvesting, silage making, and storage. To make GFM climate-resilient, farmers turned to technology, improved seed varieties, legume-based soil enrichment, water-efficient irrigation, and fodder processing machines for silage and hay. And the output has been remarkable. On an average, farmers now produce 500 to 1,800 quintals of fodder per hectare each year, at a cost of ₹20,000–30,000 per hectare. For many, this has meant lower feed costs, healthier animals, and higher returns from goat rearing. Speaking of the GFM’s progress, Dr Anand Kumar Jain, a Senior Scientist and Associate Professor of Agronomy at BAU Sabour, said:

“This [GFM] is more than an agricultural drive- it’s a technological and community-led transformation. By integrating scientific fodder cultivation practices with decentralized participation, we are ensuring sustainable, year-round feed availability for livestock owners across Bihar.”

Approaching the 1,000-acre milestone

So far, the BSLD farmers have cultivated green fodder in 830 acres. Sudha Devi now recalls the days when she and many other farmers of her village were apprehensive about livestock rearing because of the fodder shortage. Fodder scarcity meant constant worry and low milk yields. It was this concern that encouraged Sudha Devi, Nrimala Devi and several other BSLD farmers to initiate the Green Fodder Mission. Sudha and her family began growing hybrid Napier grass on their homestead. Their house, perched on a slope, gave them a natural advantage. The fodder not only fed their goats but also held back soil erosion. Soon, Sudha, Nirmala and other farmers expanded to the bunds, planting Australian hybrid Napier that stretched across 1000 meters and yielded rich dry biomass. While reflecting on the Mission’s journey, Sudha shares enthusiastically:

“We have planted Napier grass in 10 dhur (about 680 sq ft) land and getting about 1 quintal fodder per week. All this happened in a year…we are discussing about fodder bank now.”

As the GFM approaches the 1,000-acre cultivation milestone, the focus is shifting toward long-term sustainability and market integration. Farmers are planning to establish decentralized fodder banks and silage units to store surplus fodder during peak seasons and ensure a steady supply for lean periods. They are working to link fodder producers with organized markets through FPCs and to forge partnerships with large-scale buyers. Farmers believe transparent pricing, forward contracts, and aggregation centers will support better price realization.

FPCs are emerging as hubs for fodder production, processing, and marketing. The Mission links fodder cultivation with the goat value chain, aligning feed supply with breeding, health, and marketing. This approach creates a self-sustaining model for goat-farmers. The GFM now meets actual needs and has drawn attention from policymakers and scientists as a potential replicable model. The Mission’s success merits celebration on International Goat Day as proof that targeted interventions can uplift livelihoods, transform value chains, and advance sustainable goat farming worldwide.

Mr. S K Gangwar, a KVK Senior Scientist, who has been observing the Mission’s journey, notes:

“The Heifer project [GFM] is not just growing fodder — it is cultivating rural prosperity. By integrating modern technology, practical training, and community ownership, the initiative in Bihar is creating a replicable model for sustainable, livestock-based livelihoods that strengthen both income and food security for farming families.”

Image: Hippopx