Shunya Agritech partners with ICAR-IIMR to pioneer research on hydroponic-based maize fodder

New Delhi: Shunya Agritech, a rural-first animal nutrition platform, has signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR), Ludhiana to conduct joint research on hydroponic-based maize green fodder.

The collaboration aims to improve livestock nutrition and boost dairy productivity through climate-resilient, nutrient-rich fodder solutions.

This partnership strengthens Shunya’s mission to tackle India’s long-standing dairy challenge, i.e low per-animal milk yield, which remains 50% below the global average, despite the country being the world’s largest milk producer. Low milk yield is tied to the availability of fresh green fodder, which is in short supply for farmers in India. Shunya’s subscription-based model delivers fresh green fodder 365 days a year using hydroponic units that use 99% less water, operate in a fraction of the land, and ensure consistent quality, regardless of weather conditions.

As part of the MoU, Shunya and ICAR-IIMR will collaborate on research through the setup of a hydroponics unit at the ICAR-IIMR Delhi campus. This unit will be used to experiment with various maize hybrid varieties, focusing on their rapid growth and biomass potential. The partnership will also include in-depth studies to develop optimised protocols for different stages of the growing process, including pest and disease management. This initiative supports India’s agricultural modernisation goals and highlights maize as a key opportunity crop to enhance livestock nutrition for smallholder dairy farmers.

Currently serving 3,000+ farmers daily across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, Shunya operates a network of local production and delivery centres that ensure doorstep access to high-quality feed—even in remote villages.

Within a week of adoption, farmers report higher milk yield, better fat and SNF content, and up to 30 more lactation days per animal annually, translating to ₹65–75/day in additional income. The switch also helps farmers cut input costs by replacing expensive concentrate feeds and frees up land previously used for fodder cultivation.

For rural women, traditionally burdened with cutting and hauling fodder, Shunya’s doorstep delivery has been game-changing, freeing up time for income-generating activities or rest.

The company’s digital platform serves as a command hub for farmers. Through channels like the Shunya app (available on both the Play Store and App Store) and WhatsApp, farmers can place feed orders, track deliveries in real time, receive AI-powered insights on livestock health, and access veterinary support

Commenting on the collaboration, Vijay Singh, MD & CEO, Shunya Agritech, said, “This partnership with ICAR-IIMR strengthens our scientific foundation and accelerates our goal of making reliable, affordable nutrition accessible to every dairy farmer. India needs a reliable, climate-resilient source of green fodder, and hydroponic maize offers that promise. This partnership with ICAR-IIMR is about marrying deep-rooted science with scalable field execution”.

Speaking of the partnership, Dr Hanuman Sahay Jat, Director IIMR, said,“This collaboration with Shunya Agritech represents a forward-looking step toward modernising India’s fodder ecosystem. By combining IIMR’s expertise in maize research with Shunya’s hydroponic innovation, we aim to unlock the true potential of maize as a sustainable, high-yield feed option for smallholder dairy farmers specially in peri-urban interface. Together, we are working to create practical, science-backed protocols that can significantly improve fodder quality, boost animal health, and support rural livelihoods”.

Shunya plans to expand to Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Bihar, and was recently selected to represent India at Innova Europe, a premier international entrepreneurship competition designed to spotlight and support responsible innovation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.