Fortifying India’s Livestock Feed Supply Chain Against Climate Change Challenges
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its 2026 monsoon forecast, anticipating rainfall at only 90 per cent of the Long Period Average, with a high probability of deficient rainfall (60 per cent). As of June 30, rainfall recorded was 30 per cent below normal, affecting 315 districts in 12 states, particularly those with significant dependencies on rainfed agriculture. This situation poses severe risks to India’s livestock feed ecosystem, which heavily relies on stable cereal supplies, particularly maize, a key ingredient for both poultry and livestock feed.
The outlook raises immediate concerns for consumers and market stakeholders. Livestock feed accounts for a significant percentage of production costs, and any price disruptions due to insufficient maize supply will likely lead to higher feed costs, ultimately impacting livestock prices and food inflation. For the average citizen, this could mean increased expenses for dairy and meat products as manufacturers pass on costs. Given that organized feed producers operate on thin margins of 5-8 per cent, they may struggle to absorb price increases, leading to potential market volatility and reduced affordability of essential food items.
In the long term, the government and relevant authorities must adopt a comprehensive strategy to bolster the resilience of the livestock feed supply chain. This includes establishing strategic buffer stocks for maize and soybean meal, improving infrastructure for storage and logistics, and incentivizing the cultivation of irrigated rabi maize to mitigate reliance on monsoon-based yields. Furthermore, encouraging the use of alternative feed ingredients and enhancing post-harvest handling processes will be crucial. As climate variability becomes increasingly common, these measures will be essential for safeguarding livestock productivity, ensuring farmer incomes, and maintaining national food security.
Source: The Hindu
(Expert Note: This report was independently prepared by the Wealthova Economy team.)