Green fodders are the cheapest source of nutrients to dairy animals. Since per day biomass is very important from fodder point of view, hence research efforts are on to develop short duration and fast growing varieties. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified three promising fodder varieties. These are ICS 9901( Bundel Sen Ghas-1), IGC 9903 (Bundel Phulkara Grass 1) and pearl millet variety AVKB-19 (Dual Purpose). These varieties are developed by Jhansi based Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute.

ICS 9901( Bundel Sen Ghas-1) is consistently and significantly superior in both green fodder and dry matter yield. It is suitable for cultivation in semi arid, tropical and sub-tropical areas during Kharif season as perennial crop. Hence, it is highly suitable for poor and marginal farmers and for community grazing lands especially for drought prone areas. The variety is tolerant to defoliators and responsive to recommended agronomical practices. The average yield under normal conditions is approximate 183 q/ha (green fodder yield) and 47 q/ha (dry fodder yield). In case of seeding/transplanting, ICS 9901(Bundel Sen Ghas-1) matures in 120-150 days and flowering starts at the end of monsoon i.e. October. Usually seed sets in the month of November and matures in 150-180 days.

IGC 9903 (Bundel Phulkara Grass 1) is an important perennial crop with wide occurrence in tropical and sub-tropical part of the country during Kharif season. It is high yielding crop and is also suitable for poor degraded soil as well as for soil binding purposes. It is high yielding forage variety with improved quality and tolerance to major pest and diseases. The height of IGC 9903 (Bundel Phulkara Grass 1) is 100-120 cm depending upon cutting frequency. The maturity period is same as ICS 9901(Bundel Sen Ghas-1). The average yield under normal conditions is approximate 264 q/ha (green fodder yield) and 66 q/ha (dry fodder yield).

AVKB-19 of pearl millet variety has been identified for release for cultivation in North-West Zone of the country under rainfed conditions for high forage and seed yielding. The average yield under normal conditions is approximate 367 q/ha (green fodder yield) and 88 q/ha (dry fodder yield). The average seed yield is 10.2 q/ha. It is moderately to highly resistant against blast, nematodes and downy mildew.

India has the largest livestock population which has grown faster than the world livestock population. India ranked first in the case of cattle and buffalo population and accounted for 57 per cent of the world’s buffalo population and 16 per cent of the cattle population. The three major sources of fodder supply are crop residues, cultivated fodder and fodder from common property resources like forests, permanent pastures and grazing land. The cattle and buffaloes are normally fed on the fodder available from cultivated areas, supplemented to a small extent by harvested grasses and top leaves. Grazing and harvested grasses are the main fodder source for equines. While camels usually subsist on top feeds, either browsed or lopped from shrubs and trees. Fodder production and its utilization depend on the cropping pattern, climate, social economic conditions and type of livestock.