The Department of Rural Development (DoRD), Ministry of Rural Development, and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, 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.
The initiative adopts a whole-of-government approach to address fodder scarcity, strengthen livestock-related infrastructure and support the livelihoods of rural households, particularly small and marginal farmers and landless families dependent on livestock and dairy activities. It seeks to align rural employment and asset creation with the requirements of the livestock sector, while ensuring compliance with the provisions and planning framework of the Act.
The VB–G RAM G Act, which came into force on 1 July 2026, provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per rural household and focuses on the creation of durable assets across four thematic areas, including livelihood-related infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events. The joint advisory seeks to leverage this framework to promote fodder production, develop community pastures and strengthen livestock-supportive infrastructure.
22 Permissible Works Identified for Fodder and Livestock-Related Infrastructure
The advisory identifies 22 relevant works from the list of 375 permissible works under the VB–G RAM G framework. These cover interventions relating to fodder cultivation and storage, pasture development, livestock shelters, dairy infrastructure and veterinary health facilities.
Fodder cultivation for individual households and communities.
Development of community fodder resources, pastures, grazing lands and silvipasture.
Fodder storage facilities, fodder banks, silage units and other eligible fodder-related assets.
Construction, repair and maintenance of livestock shelters for eligible beneficiaries and communities, including cattle, goat, piggery and poultry shelters, as specified in the approved list.
Construction and repair of community milk collection centres.
Construction and repair of community veterinary health centres.
Construction of community cattle and animal troughs.
Construction of Azolla tanks for individual beneficiaries, as included in the approved list.
These interventions are intended to improve fodder availability, strengthen livestock-supportive infrastructure and contribute to more sustainable livestock-based livelihoods. All works will be undertaken in accordance with the approved list of permissible works and the applicable provisions of the Act, Rules and Guidelines.
Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans to Drive Local Priorities
The advisory emphasises decentralised, bottom-up and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)-led planning, with fodder development and livestock-supportive infrastructure integrated into Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) and aligned with local development priorities approved through the Gram Sabha.
States and Union Territories are encouraged to endeavour to progressively increase expenditure on fodder and livestock-supportive works towards at least 5% of total programme expenditure, wherever supported by local needs, approved plans and applicable guidelines.
A need-based saturation approach is also encouraged to identify eligible households and communities requiring fodder and livestock-related assets. Gram Panchayats may give particular attention to areas with significant livestock dependence, including Gram Panchayats where more than 30% of the population is livestock-dependent, based on local requirements and priorities.
State-specific Fodder Resource Development Plans prepared by the ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (ICAR–IGFRI) may serve as guiding documents for planning at the district and block levels. The advisory also encourages attention to climate-resilient interventions, including suitable fodder varieties, perennial grasses and integrated crop–livestock systems, wherever relevant and covered under the permissible works.
Interdepartmental Convergence and Monitoring
The advisory calls upon States and Union Territories to prepare comprehensive State Action Plans for fodder security and livestock infrastructure through convergence among the Departments of Rural Development, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and other relevant sectors.
The coordinated approach is intended to improve planning, facilitate effective use of available resources and ensure that investments respond to local requirements and support sustainable livestock-based livelihoods.
Strict Compliance with Statutory Safeguards
The advisory reiterates that all fodder development and livestock-supportive works must adhere to the applicable provisions of the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025. These include decentralised and PRI-led planning, compulsory social audit, the district-level ceiling of 40% on the material component, selection of individual beneficiaries in accordance with provisions under Schedule I, weekly public disclosure and grievance redressal.
States and Union Territories have also been urged to ensure that the approved advisory is disseminated among the concerned departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and field functionaries to facilitate effective planning and implementation.
The advisory underscores the importance of coordinated action by State Governments and Union Territoriesto ensure that fodder security and livestock-supportive infrastructure receive due attention in rural development planning.
Strengthening Rural Livelihoods towards Viksit Bharat @2047
The joint advisory marks an important step towards integrating rural employment, natural resource management and livestock development. By linking permissible works under VB–G RAM G with local fodder and livestock infrastructure needs, the initiative seeks to improve fodder availability, support dairy and animal husbandry activities and strengthen livelihood opportunities for rural households.
Through convergence, decentralised planning and coordinated implementation, the initiative aims to help States and Panchayati Raj Institutions create durable assets that respond to local needs, support climate-resilient rural development and contribute to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.