Stark income disparities between dairy and vegetable farmers

India’s agricultural sector highlights a sharp income divide between dairy and vegetable farmers. Dairy farmers working with cooperatives like Amul earn 80-85% of the final consumer price, while vegetable farmers often receive only 30-40%. Amul’s cooperative structure eliminates middlemen, ensures transparent pricing, and offers timely payments. With over 3.6 million members, it provides veterinary services and other inputs, helping farmers stabilize incomes and plan production efficiently.

In contrast, vegetable farmers face unpredictable price fluctuations, perishability issues, and fragmented markets. With poor cold storage and reliance on mandis controlled by intermediaries, they often earn only a fraction of what urban consumers pay. For example, tomatoes sold at ₹60-80 per kg in cities might fetch farmers only ₹15-25 per kg during peak harvest seasons. The lack of bargaining power leaves them vulnerable to price crashes, forcing many farmers to shift to dairy farming for more stable returns.

This shift, however, threatens agricultural diversity and food security. A heavy focus on dairy could reduce the production of essential crops, making India dependent on imports. To address these challenges, strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) could replicate Amul’s cooperative success in vegetable markets. Developing cold storage infrastructure, direct-to-consumer platforms, and value-added production (like sauces and frozen vegetables) could increase farmer margins and reduce waste.

Introducing minimum support prices (MSP) for key vegetables could further shield farmers from price volatility. Cooperative models like Amul demonstrate the power of collective action in improving farmer incomes, and expanding similar frameworks to other agricultural sectors can build a more equitable and sustainable future for Indian agriculture.

Listen into to a deep dive on the above. 

Is hydroponically grown green fodder India's hope?

The largest producer of milk in the world is facing an ever increasing crisis of fodder and animal nutrition. We discuss how severe is the issue of deficit of fodder and how it is impacting the lives of small farmers. 

In the space Shunya is offering fodder-as-a-service. Is the a possible solution? Listen in and share your views. 

Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions of an Indian village.

This episode reviews the research paper, "Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions of an Indian village - Who's to blame: crops or livestock?", & examines the environmental impact of the Green and White revolutions on a village in Gujarat, India.

Using a novel methodology that combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and agrarian diagnosis, the study analyzes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from both crops and livestock, considering the diversity of farms in the village.

The authors identify the main sources of emissions, comparing them to national and international averages, and ultimately determine that livestock contributes significantly to GHG emissions due to a combination of low milk yields and high-emission feed sources.

The paper concludes by discussing the potential implications of livestock intensification for GHG emissions, environmental sustainability, and social equity in the context of the Indian agricultural sector.

Listen to the episode here

Shunya Seh Ek Update

Like many of you, I too have been a fan of Peter Thiel’s seminal book "Zero to One", which advocates for creating unique innovations and challenging conventional views to shape the future.

However, when we decided to christen our agritech start-up “Shunya,” it was for other reasons. But when my colleague Jay Prakash Chhajer, renamed one of our internal WhatsApp groups “Shunya Seh Ek,” it occurred to me that it would also be a great way to share our 0 to 1 journey with interested folks.

Lets be in touch.

I am excited to share our progress, pains and joys as we navigate through early challenges, small & big wins, and more. It would also give us an opportunity to get your advice on various aspects of our business venture.

Let me know if you wish to receive the “Shunya Se Ek Update.” I promise to keep it regular but no more than once every 30 to 40 days. Drop me your email ID and let be in touch. Email us on update@shunya.live

Desertification: Not just a North Indian problem

A new study finds that manmade activities such as deforestation and mining are to blame for the rise in desertification in the south of India.

One another cause of desertification has been over grazing of land. 

Desertification of India is a real problem.

At Shunya, it is our endeavour to not just provide quality green fodder to animals (esp to animals in feedlots) and thus stop the desertification process in specific geographies. 

Read more here

Conserving Water - big mission of Shunya

One of the key focus areas for us at Shunya is to help reduce the quantum of water used to grow fodder. The common practice is to flood the fields with water - a practice which can be and should be altered and is leading to desertification.

Hydroponic Fodder Helps Save Water

Hydroponic fodder production saves water through several key mechanisms. Firstly, these systems typically recirculate water, allowing it to be reused within the system instead of being lost through runoff or evaporation as often occurs in traditional farming.

Secondly, hydroponic systems deliver water directly to the seeds / plant roots, minimizing evaporation compared to surface irrigation methods. Moreover, these systems optimize water usage by precisely delivering water and nutrients to the plants, ensuring that they receive what they need without wastage.

Some of our hydroponic systems are even designed as closed-loop systems, further minimizing water loss by continuously recycling and reusing water within the system. Additionally, any unused water in hydroponic systems can be captured and recycled, contributing to overall water conservation efforts.

Another aspect contributing to water savings in hydroponic fodder production is the potential for indoor production. Indoor hydroponic systems allow for precise control over environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, reducing water loss due to evaporation under unfavorable outdoor conditions. This indoor setting also enables more efficient water usage compared to outdoor farming, as water can be conserved and recycled within a controlled environment. By combining water-recycling technologies with controlled indoor environments, hydroponic fodder production maximizes water efficiency, making it a sustainable option particularly suited for regions facing water scarcity or drought conditions.

Why are we called Shunya?

Shunya means “nothingness” –  and everything else starts from this nothingness. 

The concept of Shunya is truly Indian and clearly defined first in arithmetic by Brahmagupt, Shunya is the foundation of modern mathematics and scientific thinking. 

It is the cornerstone of everything digital that is impacting our lives. You might know Shunya as Zero – as referred to in English. 

Shunya does not have a character or value of its own, but adds tremendous value and character to anything that it gets added to – in our case to the lives our the farmer and his farm animals and of course to our environment. 

For more info visit www.shunya.live or connect with me. 

Chems in animal feed - a huge concern.

The presence of chemicals in the regular livestock fodder can have various impacts on the animals, the environment, and ultimately, human health. These chemicals can include pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, heavy metals, and other harmful substances that may inadvertently contaminate the fodder. Shunya’s green fodder mitigates these risks. However,

here are some of the key impacts of the current animal fodder:

1. Animal Health:

• Consumption of fodder contaminated with chemicals can lead to acute or chronic health issues in livestock. These may include gastrointestinal problems, metabolic disorders, reduced feed intake, and impaired growth.
• Some chemicals can accumulate in animal tissues over time, leading to long-term health problems and potential harm to consumers if these animals enter the food chain.

2. Milk and Meat Contamination:

• If livestock consume fodder with chemical residues, these chemicals can accumulate in the animals' tissues, including muscles and milk-producing glands. This can lead to contaminated milk and meat, posing health risks to consumers.

3. Reproductive Issues:

• Chemical contamination in fodder may affect the reproductive health of animals, leading to reduced fertility, abnormal pregnancies, or even early embryonic deaths.

4. Environmental Pollution:

• When chemical-contaminated fodder is used in livestock farming, the chemicals can pass through the animals and enter the environment through their excreta (manure).
• Runoff from fields where contaminated fodder is grown can also lead to the pollution of water bodies and soil, affecting other organisms and ecosystems.

5. Residue Buildup:

• Continuous use of chemical-contaminated fodder can result in the accumulation of residues in the soil, leading to a long-lasting impact on soil health and fertility.

6. Development of Pests and Diseases Resistance:

• Frequent use of chemical pesticides or herbicides in fodder production can lead to the development of resistance in pests and diseases, making them harder to control in the future.

7. Food Safety Concerns:

• Chemical residues in livestock products like milk, meat, and eggs can pose a risk to human health when consumed. This is especially concerning if the chemical is a known toxic substance or a banned chemical.

To mitigate these impacts, it is essential for farmers and livestock producers to adopt sustainable and responsible farming practices. This includes:

• Regular testing of fodder for chemical residues to ensure its safety.
• Following proper withdrawal periods before selling livestock products to avoid chemical residues in meat and milk.
• Reducing the use of chemical inputs and opting for organic or natural alternatives when possible.
• Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to minimize chemical use.
• Adopting good agricultural practices (GAPs) to prevent contamination of fodder with chemicals.

By being conscious of the potential hazards and taking preventive measures, livestock farmers can safeguard animal health, food safety, and the environment. Additionally, government regulations and guidelines play a vital role in ensuring safe agricultural practices and protecting consumers from harmful chemical residues in livestock products.

 

 

 

Protein in livestock feed.

Protein is crucial in livestock feed because it plays a fundamental role in supporting various physiological functions and overall health in animals. 

Here are some key reasons why protein is important in livestock feed:

Shunya's High Protein Fodder

1. Growth and Development: Protein is essential for proper growth and development in animals, especially in young and growing animals. Adequate protein intake is necessary to support the formation of tissues, muscles, bones, and organs.
2. Body Maintenance and Repair: Proteins are the building blocks of body tissues and are required for the repair and maintenance of cells and tissues. Animals constantly undergo wear and tear, and protein is essential for the renewal of damaged tissues.
3. Enzymes and Hormones: Proteins serve as enzymes and hormones in the body, regulating various biochemical processes. Enzymes are essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and other metabolic activities, while hormones play a role in physiological processes such as reproduction and growth.
4. Immune Function: Protein is a key component of the immune system. It helps in the production of antibodies and immune cells, which defend the body against pathogens and diseases.
5. Milk Production: In dairy animals, protein is vital for milk production. Lactating animals require higher protein levels to support the synthesis of milk components.
6. Reproduction: Adequate protein intake is critical for reproductive performance in both males and females. It influences fertility, conception rates, and the overall reproductive health of the animals.
7. Wool, Hair, and Feather Production: Protein is necessary for the synthesis of wool in sheep, hair in goats, and feathers in poultry. It ensures the proper growth and quality of these important products.
8. Energy Source: Although carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources, in times of low energy availability, the body can break down protein to produce energy. However, this is not an efficient process and can lead to protein deficiency if prolonged.
9. Body Condition: Protein intake is linked to body condition in animals. Proper protein levels help maintain healthy body weight and muscle mass.
10. Feed Efficiency: Animals with adequate protein intake tend to have better feed efficiency, meaning they convert feed into body mass more effectively.

It is important to note that the protein requirements for different livestock species, production stages, and purposes can vary. Properly balanced feed rations should be formulated to meet the specific protein needs of each type of animal to ensure optimal growth, reproduction, and overall performance. Additionally, the quality of protein, as determined by its amino acid profile, is also crucial to support the animal's specific needs. Shunya's feed is high on protein and a possible solution.