Feed scarcity is a significant challenge in livestock farming, limiting productivity and threatening food security. In India, shrinking grazing lands and fodder crop areas, driven by urbanization and growing demand for infrastructure, exacerbate the issue. The 20th Livestock Census reveals that India’s livestock population has reached 535.78 million, but the availability of green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrates has not kept up.

Reports by the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) indicate a growing fodder deficit—21% for dry fodder, 26% for green fodder, and 34% for concentrates—and this gap is expected to widen by 2025. With only 4% of cultivable land allocated to fodder production, the pressure is mounting on dairy farmers to maintain milk output. This situation has spurred the search for innovative solutions, with hydroponic farming emerging as a promising way forward.

The limited availability of green fodder, especially during summer months, often forces dairy farmers to over-rely on concentrates to maintain milk production. While effective in the short term, this practice causes health issues such as rumen acidosis, liver damage, and digestive disorders in livestock. Simultaneously, practices like burning paddy straw—an important but underutilized source of dry fodder—contribute to pollution and further reduce feed resources.

Climate change adds complexity, altering weather patterns, water availability, and agricultural productivity. As pasturelands shrink, states are forced to source fodder from other regions, leading to increased costs and emissions from transportation. These challenges highlight the urgent need for sustainable, localized solutions to secure feed and improve environmental outcomes.

Hydroponics: A Climate-Friendly Innovation

Hydroponic farming offers a game-changing solution by growing nutritious fodder using minimal land and water. Crops like maize, jowar, and cowpea can be cultivated indoors, in controlled environments, without soil, ensuring year-round availability. This innovative approach not only addresses fodder shortages but also mitigates environmental impacts.

The adoption of hydroponics has shown measurable benefits for climate action. Research demonstrates that hydroponically grown fodder emits 7.4% fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) per nutrient mass compared to traditional grain-based fodder production. Additionally, by reducing the need for long-distance transportation, hydroponics helps lower the carbon footprint of the fodder supply chain.

Pioneering efforts like those at Shunya Agritech are already driving change by integrating hydroponic farming with livestock management. This initiative focuses on providing small dairy farmers with access to high-quality fodder through subscription models, ensuring consistent supply even during lean seasons. The emphasis is on creating localized production hubs that reduce reliance on transported feed, thereby cutting emissions and operational costs for farmers.

Such initiatives align with India’s climate goals, including the commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The concept of “land sparing”—using smaller areas to produce higher yields—fits well with hydroponic fodder systems, which can deliver nutritious feed without expanding agricultural land use. This dual benefit supports the livestock sector while advancing environmental objectives.