The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Innoterra Limited have announced a strategic collaboration to develop and scale biotechnology-based livestock feed solutions that convert underutilized crop residues into high-quality animal feed. The initiative aims to improve livestock productivity, increase farmer incomes, and reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint by enhancing the nutritional value of crop residues that are often low in digestibility and contribute to higher methane emissions.
As part of the programme, ILRI will collaborate with P. V. Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University and Palamur Genetic Services to conduct nutrition and on-station studies using feed materials produced by Innoterra and sourced from Queensland University of Technology. The partnership will focus on advanced feed-upgradation technologies, including bio-fermentation using lactic acid bacteria, microalgae, and molasses to improve feed digestibility and reduce methane output.
Researchers will also evaluate thermo-chemical processing and anhydrous ammonia treatments to enhance dry matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, and voluntary feed intake. In addition to technology validation, the collaboration will assess commercialization opportunities through techno-economic studies, market assessments, cost-benefit analyses, farmer adoption research, and policy evaluations. Industry leaders say the initiative could help create new value chains for agricultural residues while supporting more sustainable and productive dairy and livestock systems.
