State plans 12,000 Azolla cultivation units across 240 taluks to provide dairy farmers with a low-cost supplementary feed during fodder shortages.
Karnataka has launched a ₹3.8 crore Azolla mission to help dairy farmers manage fodder shortages caused by drought conditions across the state. The initiative aims to establish 12,000 Azolla production units across all 240 taluks, providing farmers with an additional source of nutritious feed for cattle.
The programme is being implemented by Karnataka’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department as traditional fodder supplies become increasingly strained. Officials have reported that fodder availability in at least 22 taluks is currently estimated at less than 20 weeks, while the state’s average reserves are estimated to cover around 30 to 40 weeks.
Azolla is a fast-growing aquatic fern that contains protein, amino acids, minerals and other nutrients. Under the new initiative, it will be promoted as a supplementary feed, particularly for milk-producing cattle. Its ability to grow in relatively compact spaces makes it suitable for cultivation near homes or cattle sheds where farmers have access to clean water.
Each Azolla unit is expected to cost around ₹3,150 and occupy approximately 10 feet by 4 feet by 1 foot. The setup includes UV-stabilised HDPE sheets, shade nets, supporting frames, soil, cow dung, super phosphate and starter culture, along with labour costs. The government will cover the input expenses for participating farmers, while training will be provided on cultivation, harvesting and processing.
The units will be distributed through gram panchayats, with priority given to livestock farmers who have sufficient space and access to clean water. Each unit will also be geo-tagged, while beneficiary information and photographs will be recorded to support monitoring and accountability under the relevant rural development framework.
The Azolla initiative forms part of a wider effort by Karnataka to strengthen fodder availability during the drought. The state government has also released ₹25 crore for purchasing and distributing fodder-seed kits to farmers with irrigation facilities. The Karnataka Milk Federation is supporting fodder-seed distribution and encouraging dairy farmers to cultivate their own feed.
The state is also exploring the possibility of cultivating fodder on suitable exposed lake-bed areas. Officials have asked district authorities to identify locations where fertile lake beds could support fodder cultivation, with a pilot project planned in Bidar.
Azolla has previously been studied in Karnataka as a potential low-cost feed supplement for dairy cattle. ICAR research has highlighted its relatively high protein content and potential to support milk production when used as part of livestock feeding practices.
The new state-wide mission is expected to give small and marginal dairy farmers another option for producing supplementary feed locally, reducing their dependence on conventional fodder supplies during periods of scarcity. By combining government-funded production units with farmer training, Karnataka aims to strengthen livestock nutrition and help protect dairy livelihoods as drought conditions continue to put pressure on the state’s fodder supply.