The 19th International Biennial Conference of Animal Nutrition Society of India (ANSICON-2022) based on theme “Nutritional Technologies to Augment Livestock, Poultry, Canine and Fish Production for Global Competitiveness” was held from 16th to 18th November at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. The inaugural function was graced by Dr. DVR Prakasha Rao, President National Academy of Veterinary Sciences as Chief Guest, Dr. SK Ranjhan as Guest of Honour, Dr. Inderjeet Singh Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, Dr. Udeybir Singh, President, ANSI and Dr. SS Dahiya, Vice-President, ANSI. The Deans, Directors and faculty members of the University were also present.
Dr. Parminder Singh, Organizing Secretary of ANSICON-2022 welcomed the dignitaries and delegates from various parts of the country and abroad. Dr. DVR Prakasha Rao in his address stated that emphasis must be laid on utilization of byproducts emerging from agriculture and livestock sector in animal feed.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor advised that progressive farmers with innovations in animal feeding must be recognized. He emphasized that the varieties of crops must be selected for animal feeding with new experiments related to quality of crops.
Dr. Udeybir Singh, President ANSI stated that this 1500 life member society is continuously working for professional development. He further highlighted that the Department of Animal Nutrition at GADVASU is the first in the country to develop dog foods.
During the inaugural session, Dr. APS Sethi, Secretary ANSI conferred a total of 29 society awards viz. Lifetime Achievement Award, ANSI Fellow Award, Young Scientist Award, etc. along with awards for best thesis in Animal Nutrition.
The conference compendium and souvenir were released by the dignitaries. The website of Indian Ecological Society Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference (IESFAC-2023) to be held in February 2023 was also launched. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Surya Narayanan, Joint Secretary of ANSI
The Organizing Secretary stated that more than 250 scientists, 100 students, 50 farmers and various representatives of the industry took in the seven sessions of the conference. Farmer representatives from progressive farmer associations namely Daljit Singh Gill, Sandeep Singh Randhawa, Jatinder Pal Singh, Manjit Singh and Sanjay Sharma delivered speeches in Farmer-Industry-Scientist interface wherein they emphasized on reducing the cost of feed and enhancing the quality of feed.
A roundtable meeting on the impending changes in FSSAI Feed Regulations and its likely impact on feed industry was also held on first day of the conference in which various eminent nutritionists, government officials and cattle feed millers participated. It was pointed that in new proposed law upper limit for aflatoxin is fixed at 20ppb. It is not possible to manufacture any feed with such low levels of aflatoxin as major part (Above 60%) of contributing feed ingredients (Grains, DORP etc) are permitted to contain 50 ppb of aflatoxin. Looking to the feed ingredients scenario it is not possible to manufacture any complete feed with less than or equal to 20 ppb of aflatoxin. Mr. Daljit Singh, President Progressive Dairy Farmers Association suggested that the introduction of such low levels of aflatoxins in feed or feed ingredients may be introduced at slow pace i.e. from 50 ppb to 40 ppb and then to 20 ppb with intensive awareness campaigns by Govt./Semi Govt organizations and may be with incentivized manner. The core group was of the view that the aflatoxin permissible level for the compounded feed and feed ingredients required to manufacture complete feed should have same levels of permitted aflatoxin levels.
Various technical sessions were held on 2nd day of the conference i.e. Ruminant Nutrition, Poultry Nutrition, Fish Nutrition, Swine Nutrition, Fodder nutrition and Processing Technologies. Scientists from India and abroad showcased their research outcomes. Lead papers were presented on Nano Minerals in Dairy Nutrition, Precision Dairy Nutrition, Nutrigenomics, Organic acids in Poultry Diet, Trends in Canine Nutrition etc. A general body meeting of the Animal Nutrition Society was also conducted on the 2nd day of the conference. It was attended by office bearers of the society as well to chalk out forthcoming policies and planning to economize the feed cost and well being of the society.
The valedictory function was graced by Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor as chief guest and eminent animal nutritionist Dr. N.N. Pathak as Guest of Honour.
During the valedictory ceremony, Dr. Udeybir Singh, President, Animal Nutrition Society of India (ANSI) delivered his address followed by presentation of society reports by Dr. Parminder Singh, Organizing Secretary, ANSICON-2022. The awards ceremony was conducted by Dr. APS Sethi, Secretary ANSI during the valedictory session.
The conference concluded with the major recommendation to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal feeding which ultimately leads to antimicrobial resistance. It was further stressed that the use of feed additives, particularly herbal feed additives should be encouraged. Use of unconventional feed stuffs and byproducts can reduce the cost of feed. Research work should be focused on precision nutrition, feed quality and feed safety.
Dr. Udeybir Singh proposed the vote of thanks and wished good luck till the society meets again next time.
