In a significant move to enhance the availability of quality green fodder for India's dairy sector, Rasi Seeds, one of the country's leading seed companies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (ICAR-IGFRI), Jhansi.
The MoU was signed by R. Rajendran, Managing Director of Rasi Seeds, and N. Saravanan, Business Head of Sira Seeds, in the presence of Pankaj Kaushal, Director of ICAR-IGFRI, and Vijay Kumar Yadav, Project Coordinator (Forage Crops), AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization. The partnership grants Rasi Seeds access to two high-quality varieties of berseem and oats, which will be commercialised under its dedicated forage brand, Sira Seeds.
With more than 2.5 million hectares of land under berseem and oats cultivation in India, this initiative is a crucial step toward closing the gap in green fodder demand and supply. The timely availability of superior winter forage seeds is expected to benefit dairy farmers significantly by enhancing livestock nutrition and productivity.
"Through this MoU, we aim to bring scientifically validated, high-performing forage varieties to the farming community," said Rajendran. "Our efforts through the Sira brand will remain focused and committed to eliminating the shortage of quality forage seeds in the country."
The collaboration aligns with the national vision of ushering in a White Revolution 2.0, aimed at improving the dairy value chain through sustainable and science-backed agricultural inputs. By improving the accessibility of nutritious green fodder, this partnership is expected to support higher milk yields, lower feed costs, and better livelihoods for millions of dairy farmers across India.
