Analysis of selected fodder ventures in southern and western India

Business opportunities in fodder are tremendous in India but less capitalised by development agencies. Ventures capitalized trading of fodder in various forms is less and study to analyse these ventures was conducted (2012–2014) sourcing primary and secondary data. Objectives of the study were to determine scale of operation, understand role of different stakeholders and identify constraints and opportunities of three selected ventures (V). Scale of commercialization for sorghum stover processing and trading was highest (V1, Rs 230 million) followed by lucerne seed production and sale (V2, Rs 1066.6 million) and lucerne leaf meal production and sale (V3, Rs 4.28 million). Six stakeholders involved in ventures were identified. Retailers (V1), first level middlemen (V2) and second level middle men (V3) were absent in respective ventures. Government intervention (V1), slow tedious process of cleaning cuscuta infested seed (V2) and labour (V3) were foremost constraints. Enriching chaffed sorghum stover (V1), line sowing for improved seed yield (V2) and prevalence of huge demand (V3) were identified as the top opportunities. These ventures which are less known but highly successful are worth emulating by other entrepreneurs to tap market potential and improve feed accessibility in deficit regions of the country.