Systemic change in the fodder market for smallholder farmers in Pakistan

A case study update on the Market Development Facility (MDF) programme in Pakistan, focusing on achieving systemic change in the fodder market for smallholder farmers.

The MDF aimed to improve livestock productivity by promoting the use of silage, a nutritious fermented fodder. The programme successfully introduced a new business model where mid-sized farmers became silage entrepreneurs, producing and selling small, affordable silage bales to smallholders.

This innovation increased milk and meat yields, boosting incomes for over 52,000 farmers and creating sustainable market change.

Intervention description

The key intervention was promoting small-bale silage production. MDF partnered with Corteva Agriscience to pilot this innovation, targeting mid-sized farmers to become silage entrepreneurs who produce and sell 60kg silage bales to small farmers. This business model made silage accessible and affordable, resulting in increased milk yields and incomes for small farmers.

Initial results showed a significant increase in milk yields by 1.5–4 litres per animal per day, equivalent to a 20-55 per cent productivity increase. The project partners, including local farmers and businesses, showed strong adoption and adaptation of the silage business model, indicating a successful intervention.

This programme’s results measurement system has passed an audit against the DCED Standard.