The Centre has 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 advisory has been jointly issued by the Department of Rural Development and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 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 advisory identifies 22 relevant works from the list of 375 permissible works under the VB-G RAM G framework. These include interventions relating to fodder cultivation and storage, pasture development, livestock shelters, dairy infrastructure and veterinary health facilities.

It also emphasises decentralised, bottom-up and Panchayati Raj Institution-led planning, with fodder development and livestock-supportive infrastructure to be integrated into Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and aligned with local development priorities approved by the Gram Sabha.

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.