ILRI, Innoterra partner to transform crop residues into sustainable livestock feed

INDIA – The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Innoterra Limited have announced a strategic collaboration to develop and scale biotechnology-based alternative feed solutions that convert underutilised crop residues into high-quality livestock feed, helping improve animal productivity while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.

The initiative brings together ILRI’s expertise in livestock nutrition and feed research with Innoterra’s feed manufacturing capabilities and farmer outreach platforms. 

As part of the collaboration, ILRI will work with P V Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University and Palamur Genetic Services to conduct nutrition and on-station studies on feed materials developed by Innoterra and imported from Queensland University of Technology.

The partners aim to unlock greater value from crop residues, which are widely available but often have low digestibility, limiting animal performance and contributing to higher methane emissions.

Frank-Lawale Anuoluwapo, Program Lead of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Feed Resources at ILRI, said the project seeks to create new opportunities for livestock producers.

The initiative aims to “create new value chains for crop residues and support farmer incomes” while contributing to methane emission reduction, he said.

Harish Sharma, Director of Innoterra, said the partnership is focused on translating research into practical livestock solutions.

“The collaboration reflects commitment to translating rigorous research into practical solutions that work for the cattle health, the environment, the farmers and ultimately the markets,” Sharma said.

The research programme will focus on bio-fermentation technologies using lactic acid bacteria, microalgae, and molasses to improve feed digestibility and reduce methane emissions. 

The partners will also evaluate thermo-chemical processing and anhydrous ammonia treatments to increase dry matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and feed intake.

Partnership aligns with wider livestock innovation efforts

Beyond feed development, the collaboration will assess commercialisation opportunities through techno-economic studies, market assessments, cost-benefit analyses and farmer adoption research. 

The objective is to create a scalable ecosystem for alternative feed solutions that can be deployed across livestock production systems.

The announcement comes as ILRI continues to strengthen international partnerships aimed at improving livestock productivity and food security. 

Earlier this month, the institute co-hosted the China-Africa Agricultural Science, Technology and Industrial Cooperation Forum in Nairobi, bringing together researchers, policymakers and private-sector leaders to accelerate agricultural innovation.

During the event, ILRI signed a memorandum of understanding with TECON to expand collaboration in agricultural science, technology and value chain development. 

The forum also featured discussions on animal health, disease prevention and technologies needed to improve livestock productivity and strengthen smallholder livelihoods across Africa.

The ILRI-Innoterra partnership reflects growing industry interest in feed innovations that can address rising feed costs, improve resource efficiency and reduce emissions from livestock production. 

Upgrading low-value crop residues into more nutritious feed ingredients will enhance farmers’ incomes, improve animal performance and support the development of more sustainable livestock systems in Africa and Asia.

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