Introduction: Dry fodder deficit in India is a pressing issue, impacting livestock farming and rural economies. The National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP) aimed to increase the income of 2500 farmers within a 40 km radius in the Koel region of Bhojpur, Bihar, through a fodder bank initiative.

Inspiration: Mr. Jyoti Bramha Chakravarti, a B.Tech graduate and director of Mercredi Solution Pvt Ltd (CHARA BANK), witnessed fodder wastage and scarcity since childhood in Koel, Bihar. Determined to find a solution, he approached ICAR-NIAP, New Delhi, in 2022. He learned about the economics and opportunities in the fodder business, including challenges in transport and storage. Dr Vikas Kumar, senior scientist, ICAR-NIAP had guided him about opportunities, requirements,  challenges and solutions in fodder business.

Implementation: With family support, Jyoti developed temporary and permanent sheds for fodder storage on his land. His team, including Rashmi Kumari, Chandan Chaudhari, Amit Rai, Ramakant Tiwari, Ashutosh Kumar, and Krishna Kumar, focused on preventing fodder wastage and creating compact, multi-nutrition blocks. They received technical support from Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Professor (Animal Nutrition) of Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna.

SABAGRIs cooperated a lot and the whole team Rehman Sir, Ashok Sir, , Amit sir and Vivek sir are standing together to take Bihar and the country way forward.

Innovative Solutions: To address fodder shortages during floods and droughts, they introduced 1 kg biscuits that expand to 5 kg when soaked in water, providing optimal nutrition for animals.

Impact: In 2022, they collected 18 quintals of fodder, selling to local traders and villagers. By 2023, collection increased to 60 quintals, with 3000 quintals collected by April-May 2024. Additionally, 1500 farmers from nearby blocks gathered 15,000 quintals, totaling 18,000 quintals. This initiative benefited farmers, fodder collectors, and purchasers.

Recognition and Future Plans: Mercredi Solution Pvt Ltd received financial support from TBI KIET and the Israeli government. Their efforts earned them second place in the Indo-Israel Agri Tech co-incubation program by SIDBI on May 30, 2024. The team aims to establish CHARA BANK at each block and panchayat level, providing compact fodder technology to every farmer in Bihar.