The Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) have jointly issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories to strengthen fodder security, pasture development, and livestock-supportive infrastructure through convergence under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB–G RAM G Act, 2025. This initiative adopts a whole-of-government approach to address fodder scarcity and support livelihoods of rural households, particularly small and marginal farmers and landless families dependent on livestock activities.
The advisory identifies 22 relevant works from the list of 375 permissible works under the VB–G RAM G framework, covering interventions for fodder cultivation and storage, pasture development, livestock shelters, dairy infrastructure, and veterinary health facilities. Key interventions include fodder cultivation for individual households and communities, development of community fodder resources and pastures, fodder storage facilities and fodder banks, construction and repair of livestock shelters for cattle, goat, piggery and poultry, community milk collection centres, veterinary health centres, community cattle troughs, and Azolla tanks for individual beneficiaries.
The advisory emphasizes decentralized, bottom-up planning through Panchayati Raj Institutions, with fodder development integrated into Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans aligned with local priorities approved through Gram Sabha. States and UTs are encouraged to progressively increase expenditure on fodder and livestock-supportive works towards at least 5% of total program expenditure where supported by local needs. A need-based saturation approach is recommended, with particular attention to Gram Panchayats where more than 30% of the population is livestock-dependent.
State-specific Fodder Resource Development Plans prepared by ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute may serve as guiding documents for district and block level planning. The advisory also encourages climate-resilient interventions including suitable fodder varieties, perennial grasses, and integrated crop-livestock systems where relevant.
All works must adhere to statutory safeguards including PRI-led planning, compulsory social audit, the district-level ceiling of 40% on material component, selection of individual beneficiaries under Schedule I provisions, weekly public disclosure, and grievance redressal. The initiative aims to support climate-resilient rural development and contribute to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 through coordinated implementation and convergence among relevant departments.