Karnataka Azolla Cultivation Gets ₹3.78 Crore Fodder Push
The Karnataka government has allocated ₹3.78 crore for establishing 12,000 azolla cultivation units across 31 districts and 240 taluks during 2026-27, seeking to expand low-water supplementary fodder production amid concerns over reduced rainfall and fodder availability.
The programme will be implemented through district action plans under the employment guarantee scheme. District-wise targets have been set for the units, which are intended to provide livestock owners with a locally produced source of supplementary feed that can be grown in limited space and with relatively little water.
Azolla is a small aquatic plant that floats on water and grows rapidly. The report said it contains minerals, vitamins and essential amino acids, and can be used as supplementary feed for dairy cattle. Its crude protein content generally ranges from 15% to 35% on a dry-matter basis, depending on the variety, cultivation method, water quality and harvesting stage.
The government guidance, however, does not describe azolla as a complete replacement for conventional cattle feed. It is to be used as a supplementary fodder resource, with feeding quantities and management practices requiring appropriate technical guidance.
According to the cost estimates cited in the report, setting up one azolla production unit requires ₹3,150. Of this, ₹2,450 is allocated for materials, including a 10-by-6-foot, 450 GSM ultraviolet-stabilised HDPE bed or sheet costing ₹1,350; an 80% shade net and galvanised iron frame costing ₹650; phosphate fertiliser and superphosphate costing ₹250; and 2 kilograms of azolla mother culture costing ₹200. Labour costs are estimated at ₹700 for two person-days covering site preparation, bed installation, protection arrangements and inoculation with the culture.
Azolla culture is available through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agricultural universities, veterinary colleges and private traders. The reported indicative price is ₹50 per kilogram. The programme also envisages technical support and guidance for farmers establishing the units.
The initiative forms part of a wider state effort to improve fodder availability. The government has allocated ₹25 crore for the purchase and distribution of fodder seeds. This funding is intended to support the procurement of 4,72,114 fodder-seed minikits, which will be distributed to farmers with irrigation facilities along with training and technical guidance for fodder production.
The reported intervention comes as livestock-dependent households face pressure from irregular rainfall and limited water availability. In conventional fodder cultivation, farmers may need to wait about 50 to 60 days after sowing to obtain a substantial quantity of green fodder. The government’s stated approach is to supplement those crops with faster-growing fodder options that can be produced in smaller areas.
The report said azolla’s rapid biological growth, nitrogen-fixing capacity and nutritional properties make it suitable for small-scale and integrated farming systems. It also cautioned that standardised production methods and proper feed management are necessary for safe and economically appropriate use. Implementation of the district-wise azolla unit plans under the 2026-27 employment guarantee programme is the next step in the scheme.
