New Delhi, Feb. 11 -- India's decision to allow imports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) under the interim trade framework with the US will help bridge the country's protein deficit in animal feed and offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional feed ingredients, the chief of the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) said.

Affordability is a key concern for small and marginal dairy farmers, as fodder accounts for nearly 60% of the cost of milk production. Lower import duties could translate into cheaper compound feed, directly benefiting dairy farmers by reducing input costs and improving milk profitability, IDA president Sudhir Kumar Singh said in an interview.

As per the interim trade framework, India will allow duty-fre...