The research will focus on developing cultivation protocols, including pest and disease management, to improve the quality and availability of fodder for smallholder dairy farmers

Shunya Agritech, a rural-focused animal nutrition platform, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR), Ludhiana, to conduct joint research on hydroponic-based maize green fodder.

Under the agreement, a hydroponics unit will be set up at ICAR-IIMR’s Delhi campus to evaluate maize hybrid varieties for rapid growth and biomass potential. The research will also focus on developing cultivation protocols, including pest and disease management, to improve the quality and availability of fodder for smallholder dairy farmers.

India produces the largest volume of milk globally but records average yields of about four litres per animal per day roughly half the global average. Industry assessments link the low productivity partly to inadequate access to fresh green fodder year-round.

Shunya Agritech’s subscription-based model delivers hydroponically grown fodder throughout the year, using less land and water while maintaining quality across seasons. The company currently serves over 3,000 farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, and plans expansion into Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Bihar.

The collaboration aims to support climate-resilient, nutrient-rich fodder production, which both organisations say can help improve livestock nutrition, boost milk yields, and support rural incomes.