The Department of Rural Development and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying have jointly issued an advisory to States and Union Territories to strengthen fodder security, develop livestock infrastructure and support rural livelihoods under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G.
The initiative aims to address fodder shortages, improve livestock-related infrastructure and create sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for small and marginal farmers and landless rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry activities.
The joint advisory identifies 22 permissible works from the list of 375 activities under the VB–G RAM G framework. These include fodder cultivation, pasture development, livestock shelters, dairy infrastructure and veterinary health facilities.
Key interventions include the development of community fodder resources, grazing lands and silvipasture, along with the creation of fodder banks, silage units and storage facilities.
The identified works also cover construction, repair and maintenance of livestock shelters for cattle, goats, pigs and poultry, as well as community milk collection centres, veterinary health centres, animal drinking troughs and Azolla tanks for eligible beneficiaries.
The advisory seeks to align rural employment generation and durable asset creation with the requirements of the livestock sector.
Focus on Panchayat-level Planning
The advisory emphasises decentralised and Panchayati Raj Institution-led planning, with fodder development and livestock infrastructure to be incorporated into Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs).
Gram Sabhas will play an important role in identifying local requirements and approving development priorities.
States and Union Territories have been encouraged to progressively increase expenditure on fodder and livestock-supportive works towards at least five per cent of total programme expenditure, wherever justified by local needs and approved plans.
A need-based approach has also been recommended to identify households and communities requiring livestock-related assets. Particular attention may be given to Gram Panchayats where more than 30 per cent of the population depends on livestock for their livelihoods.
State-specific Fodder Resource Development Plans prepared by the ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (ICAR–IGFRI) may be used 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.
Interdepartmental Coordination and Monitoring
The Centre has called for coordination among the Departments of Rural Development, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and other relevant sectors to prepare comprehensive State Action Plans for fodder security and livestock infrastructure.
The advisory also reiterates compliance with statutory safeguards under the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025. These include decentralised planning, compulsory social audits, a district-level ceiling of 40 per cent on the material component, beneficiary selection in accordance with Schedule I, weekly public disclosure and grievance redressal mechanisms.
States and Union Territories have been asked to disseminate the advisory among concerned departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and field-level functionaries to ensure effective implementation.
Supporting Rural Livelihoods
The VB–G RAM G Act, which came into force on July 1, 2026, provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per rural household and focuses on creating durable assets across four thematic areas.
The government said the convergence initiative would help integrate rural employment, natural resource management and livestock development, while improving fodder availability and supporting dairy and animal husbandry activities.
-PIB
