Shunya Agritech Fodder and Forage Private Limited and the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), Mathura, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research and development of hydroponic fodder systems aimed at enhancing goat productivity and strengthening farmer livelihoods.

The partnership brings together Shunya Agritech’s expertise in climate-smart hydroponic fodder technology with CIRG’s scientific leadership in goat research. Through joint trials, optimized nutrition protocols, and farmer-focused demonstrations, the initiative will validate the impact of hydroponic fodder on goat health and productivity while creating scalable models for smallholder and marginal farmers.

The agreement was formalized in the presence of Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The collaboration carries high significance, given India’s nearly 250 million small ruminant population, which faces chronic shortages of quality green fodder.

As part of the partnership, a new Growth & Logistics Centre (GLC) will be established within the CIRG campus at Makhdoom. Strategically located near Shunya Agritech’s existing GLC in Atus village, the new facility will strengthen synergies in research, demonstrations, and farmer outreach.

“This partnership with ICAR-CIRG is a milestone in Shunya’s journey to make climate-smart fodder accessible to every farmer,” said Vijay Singh, MD & CEO, Shunya Agritech. “By combining our hydroponic innovation with CIRG’s scientific expertise, we aim to deliver proven, scalable solutions that improve goat productivity, strengthen farmer livelihoods, and create lasting impact for India’s livestock sector.”

“At CIRG, our mission is to enhance goat productivity through science, research, and farmer outreach,” said Dr. Manish Kumar Chatli, Director, ICAR–CIRG. “Collaborating with Shunya Agritech allows us to validate and extend the benefits of hydroponic fodder to farmers across India. Together, we will build evidence-based models that improve animal health, nutrition, and income security for smallholder and marginal farmers.”

The partnership marks a significant step toward modernizing India’s livestock sector, where innovation in nutrition and climate-resilient solutions will be critical to securing food security, boosting farmer incomes, and meeting the growing demand for small ruminant products.