MoU inked to boost quality forage seed for dairy — Rasi & ICAR-IGFRI
Rasi Seeds has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICAR-IGFRI (Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Grassland & Fodder Research Institute) in Jhansi to enhance the availability of quality forage seeds for dairy farmers. Under this partnership, Rasi (through its “Sira Seeds” brand) will commercialize two high-yielding ICAR-IGFRI varieties of berseem and oats. With over 2.5 million hectares currently under cultivation of these forage crops in India, the initiative aims to address the ongoing fodder gap, improve livestock nutrition, increase milk yields, and reduce feed costs, especially in winter seasons. The move aligns with the government’s vision of “White Revolution 2.0” focused on sustainable inputs for dairy.
Industry Insight
Dairy farm economics depend heavily on forage availability; feed (especially green fodder) is often one of the largest recurring costs. By improving varietal performance (yield, nutritional quality) of berseem and oats, this MoU can contribute to lowering feed-cost per litre of milk, improving milk productivity. Over time, this could make neighborhoods around Jhansi / IGFRI’s influence zones more self-sufficient in fodder supply, reducing pressure to import or transport fodder long distances. For maize in particular (used for silage or grain in feed rations), easing of fodder supply may shift demand patterns: dairy farms may rely less on maize for forage or supplemental feed if quality green fodder becomes cheaper and more available. Thus, the MoU has the potential to moderate the load on maize in the feed mix, particularly in winter or dry seasons when forage is usually scarce.
It also signals increasing public-private collaboration in feed/fodder sectors, which may encourage further investment in seed R&D, distribution networks for forage seed, and extension services to ensure adoption. For dairy cooperatives and input companies, this creates an opportunity to bundle seed, advisory, and feed solutions for farmers to increase yield stability.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Sep 15th 2025