Telangana’s dairy sector is facing mounting pressure as Super El Niño conditions intensify drought risks, reduce fodder availability and increase feed costs. With the state already experiencing a significant structural shortage of green fodder, prolonged dry spells and declining agricultural activity could further affect milk production, animal health and rural dairy incomes.
The potential impact extends across the dairy value chain, from smallholder farmers and milk cooperatives to organised processors and urban consumers. Reduced availability of nutritious feed, combined with rising temperatures and water scarcity, is creating additional challenges for livestock management across the state.
Structural Fodder Deficit Leaves Dairy Farmers Vulnerable
Telangana’s dairy industry depends heavily on agricultural residues, cultivated fodder and locally available grazing resources. However, the gap between fodder demand and supply has remained a persistent challenge.
According to assessments by the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology and the ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Telangana requires approximately 6.37 million tonnes of green fodder annually. Current availability stands at around 2.38 million tonnes, leaving a deficit of nearly 62%.
In contrast, dry fodder availability is relatively stronger. The state produces approximately 15 million tonnes against an estimated requirement of 12.75 million tonnes, largely supported by paddy and maize crop residues. However, shortages of quality green forage and concentrated feed continue to affect livestock nutrition and productivity.
The state’s bovine population comprises approximately 42.33 lakh cattle and 42.26 lakh buffaloes. High-producing dairy animals generally require 25–30 kilograms of green fodder daily to maintain adequate nutrition and milk production. However, small and marginal farmers frequently struggle to meet these requirements.
Super El Niño Intensifies Feed and Water Challenges
The emergence of Super El Niño conditions during 2026 has intensified concerns about agricultural and livestock production. Erratic monsoon rainfall, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures have affected rain-fed fodder cultivation, particularly sorghum, maize, bajra and cowpea.
Reduced agricultural activity has also affected the availability of crop residues used as livestock feed. Meanwhile, deteriorating grazing lands and declining biomass production are increasing farmers’ dependence on purchased fodder.
The financial pressure is becoming increasingly visible. Reports indicate that dry-fodder bundles previously selling for approximately ₹80 are now fetching nearly ₹240 in some areas. Such increases are particularly challenging for small-scale dairy farmers who purchase a substantial proportion of their animals’ feed.
The situation could worsen if reduced paddy cultivation further limits the availability of agricultural residues and other livestock feed resources.
Milk Production and Cooperative Procurement Face Pressure
Telangana’s dairy sector remains an important contributor to agricultural livelihoods and the state’s rural economy. The state produced approximately 59.35 lakh tonnes of milk during 2024–25 and established a production target of 61.75 lakh tonnes for 2025–26.
However, organised milk procurement has experienced pressure. Vijaya Dairy’s average daily milk collection increased to approximately four lakh litres during 2024–25 before declining to 3.36 lakh litres in 2025–26.
The reduction highlights the challenges facing organised dairy procurement amid prolonged lean-season conditions, fodder constraints and declining animal performance.
If feed shortages and heat stress continue, milk production could experience further pressure. Nutritional deficiencies combined with elevated temperatures can reduce milk yields by 10–30%, affect milk composition, shorten lactation periods and negatively influence reproductive performance.
Government Introduces Measures to Support Livestock Farmers
The Telangana government has initiated several measures to address the emerging fodder shortage. In October 2026, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy warned that El Niño-related drought conditions could persist for eight to ten months, with critically low reservoir storage creating additional challenges for agriculture and livestock farming.
Proposed interventions include cultivating fodder on tank-bed lands through employment guarantee programmes, establishing village-level fodder and drinking-water centres, and accelerating the distribution of subsidised fodder seeds.
These initiatives aim to improve immediate fodder availability and reduce the pressure on livestock-owning households. However, addressing the state’s long-standing green-fodder deficit will require sustained investment and coordinated agricultural planning.
Long-Term Fodder Security Becomes Essential for Dairy Growth
Feed and fodder account for approximately 60–70% of milk production costs, making availability and affordability essential to dairy farm profitability. Continued increases in feed prices could reduce farmers’ margins, encourage distress sales of livestock and affect household incomes.
Long-term solutions include expanding drought-tolerant fodder varieties such as Bajra-Napier hybrids, establishing community fodder banks, improving crop-residue treatment and promoting silage and hay conservation. Better irrigation facilities, access to quality concentrate feed and stronger veterinary services could also improve livestock productivity during climatic stress.
For Telangana, strengthening fodder security is no longer simply an agricultural priority but a critical requirement for maintaining dairy production and rural livelihoods. As climate variability increases, investment in sustainable feed systems, livestock nutrition and farmer support will determine the sector’s ability to withstand future weather-related disruptions.
