Industry leaders unite to shape the roadmap for animal agriculture in India with a strong focus on agriculture exports
Two-day power meet in Hyderabad puts agri-exports, rural livelihoods, and global leadership on centre stage
The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA) of India successfully concluded its 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 66th National Symposium on 22nd & 23rd August 2025 at the Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Themed “Animal Agriculture in India – The Way Forward,” the two-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, sector experts, and stakeholders to shape a unified roadmap for India’s animal agriculture sector, with a strong emphasis on boosting agriculture exports.
The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of nearly 450 dignitaries, encompassing a diverse spectrum of stakeholders — from senior government officials, feed manufacturers, dairy and aqua farmers, veterinarians, and nutrition experts, to academicians, scientists, representatives of national and international companies, industry associations, ambassadors, and leaders from allied agro enterprises.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Vijay D. Bhandare, Convenor and Managing Committee Member, CLFMA of India. This was followed by the Chairman’s Address from Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, who highlighted the sector’s critical role in strengthening rural livelihoods, ensuring national food security, and enhancing India’s standing in global agri-trade.
The Symposium highlighted the immense potential of India’s poultry and aquaculture sectors, with the poultry industry growing at an impressive 8% annually, making it both one of the most affordable sources of protein and a vital contributor to rural income. Export opportunities in markets such as the UAE, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bahrain, along with 65% vertical integration, are enabling cleaner, healthier products and stronger global competitiveness. At the same time, challenges like avian influenza and rising kidney infections in states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Telangana pointed to the urgent need for better vaccination, stronger biosecurity, and greater R&D investments. Aquaculture discussions underlined the huge untapped domestic opportunity, with 76% of India’s 1.4 billion population consuming non-vegetarian food and over 80% not meeting daily protein requirements, positioning the sector as critical for nutrition and economic growth. While rising US tariffs on shrimp exports pose challenges, they were reframed as opportunities to boost domestic demand, enhance farmer returns, and create value-added products for Indian consumers. With government support through schemes like Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), and by fostering stronger industry-government partnerships, both poultry and aquaculture are set to become more resilient, competitive, and future-ready.
While there are challenges, there’s also an incredible amount of potential waiting to be unlocked. Whether it’s poultry, dairy, fisheries, or aquaculture, the way forward lies in collaboration, innovation, and sustained effort. It lies in coming together — as farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, and academia — and working towards solutions that are practical, scalable, and sustainable.
Setting the tone for the discussions, Shri. Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), delivered the thematic address, highlighting the critical role of animal agriculture in India’s economic and nutritional landscape. The symposium also honoured outstanding contributions through the prestigious CLFMA Awards and Student Awards, recognising both industry achievements and the promise of emerging talent.
Mr. Pravin S. Lunkad was honored with the CLFMA Lifetime Achievement Award, while Dr. K. Karthikeyan and Prof. Jyoti Palod were each conferred with the prestigious CLFMA Award in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry.
The Symposium was graced by eminent dignitaries, including Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India; Sri Vakiti Srihari, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Telangana; Sri Sabyasachi Ghosh, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana; and Dr. Muthukumaraswamy B., Joint Secretary(NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Shri. Tarun Sridhar, IAS (Retd. Secretary AHD), Shri. Eatela Rajendra, Member of Parliament, Government of Telangana, Shri. Mettu Saikumar, Chairman of Fisheries Federation, Telangana, etc.
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, said, “Our livestock and fisheries sectors embody the resilience of India’s villages and the aspirations of our youth. The path ahead is not just about producing more, but about producing responsibly — with stronger animal health systems, skill development for farmers, and sustainable practices that protect our environment. The government’s priority is to create a balance where rural livelihoods are strengthened, nutritional needs are met, and India contributes meaningfully to global food security. An event like CLFMA’s AGM and Symposium is vital, as it brings policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders together on a single platform to co-create solutions that will shape the future of India’s animal agriculture.”
Sri Vakiti Srihari, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries, Sports and Youth Services shared how dairy and poultry support nearly seven million livelihoods in Telangana alone and spoke about the government’s ongoing efforts to improve veterinary infrastructure, vaccination drives, and equipment support — efforts that are helping Telangana emerge as one of the leading milk producers in southern India.
Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman at CLFMA of India, said, “India is home to the world’s largest livestock population and accounts for 13% of global milk production. The sector contributes 30.23% to agricultural GVA and 5.5% to the national economy, making it a cornerstone of national growth, rural prosperity, and nutritional security. Yet, this is only the beginning of our growth story. With the right policies, stronger cold-chain and processing infrastructure, and faster adoption of innovation, we can evolve from being the world’s largest producer to one of its most influential exporters. CLFMA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to turn this vision into reality.”
“We have also proposed the establishment of:
- Export Oriented Zones (EOZs)
- Livestock Export & Domestic Development Authority
These strategic bodies will significantly enhance ease of doing business and boost the global competitiveness of the Indian poultry sector by ensuring:
- Access to raw materials at global price parity.
- A simplified regulatory framework for domestic and international trade.
- Market creation and diversification through government-to-government collaboration and coordinated branding strategies through FTA.”
For the very first time, CLFMA of India introduced a Student Program Initiative, opening new doors for young minds to engage with the livestock and animal nutrition sector. This unique platform was created to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of researchers and professionals with the real-world challenges and opportunities of animal agriculture.
The initiative drew an overwhelming response, with 134 students from across the Country participating. Students came forward with research and innovative ideas in four vital sectors — Poultry, Dairy, Swine, and Aqua. Topics ranged from the use of unconventional feed ingredients and gut health management in poultry to dairy management innovations under climatic stress, biosecurity in swine farming, and new technologies for aqua feed production. Each category encouraged students to blend scientific knowledge with practical approaches, showcasing their ability to shape the future of sustainable livestock practices.
To honour their creativity and hard work, the program awarded gold, silver, and bronze winners in every sector. The Gold winner received ₹1 lakh, Silver ₹50,000, and Bronze ₹25,000, along with a ticket to Hyderabad and a complimentary stay, making the recognition both prestigious and rewarding.
The felicitation took place at the 58th AGM & 66th National Symposium 2025 in Hyderabad, where industry leaders and academicians applauded the students’ contributions. This initiative not only celebrated young talent but also marked a milestone in CLFMA’s efforts to build stronger bridges between academia and the livestock sector, ensuring that the sector is well-prepared for the future.
Student Winner List:
- Poultry Sector Awards:
- Gold – Dr. Prasad Shivaji Wadajkar
- Silver – Dr. Vishal Patil
- Bronze – Dr. Jalmeen Kour
- Dairy Sector Awards:
- Gold – Dr. Lanje Sunita Khushal
- Silver – Dr. Vennela Banoth
- Swine Sector Awards:
- Gold – Dr. Hrishikesh Tekade
- Silver – Dr. Kanishk Kamble
- Bronze – Dr. Ashish Tiwari
- Aqua Sector Awards:
- Gold – Dr. Tamana Latief
- Silver – Dr. Patekar Prakash Goraksha
- Bronze – Dr. Bhupika Dewangan
- Student Program Awards:
- Poultry – Dr. Nikhil Nalabale
- Dairy – Dr. Rashmi Thakare
- Swine – Dr. Easteri Debbarma
The Day 1 concluded with the launch of the Souvenir, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Nissar F. Mohammed, Hon. Secretary, CLFMA of India, and a networking dinner.
The Welcome of National Symposium 2025 Day 2 was addressed by Mr Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India followed with the introduction of Symposium by Dr. Devender Hooda, CLFMA North Zone President. Mr. Sumit Sureka, Deputy Chairman, briefed about CLFMA, the theme of the Symposium, the full-day sessions, and highlighted CLFMA’s significant role in contributing towards Viksit Bharat.“
Mr. R. S. Sodhi, President, Indian Dairy Association shared the industry’s progress toward becoming a globally competitive dairy sector. Dr. Girish Kolwankar, Director, Premium Chick Feeds Pvt. Ltd. highlighted how this industry continues to grow at an impressive 8% annually, making poultry not only one of the most affordable sources of quality protein in the country but also a major contributor to rural income. There are exciting export opportunities to markets like the UAE, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bahrain, and how 65% vertical integration within the sector is enabling us to deliver cleaner, healthier products to consumers while staying competitive globally. Mr. Manoj M. Sharma, Director, Mayank Aqua Products – Aquaculture, spoke on ‘Looking at Aquaculture Beyond Exports.’ He highlighted the global scenario of aquaculture and extended special thanks to Shri Tarun Shridhar, acknowledging his valuable contribution to the aqua sector.
The deliberations also addressed key challenges facing the livestock and aquaculture sectors. Experts highlighted concerns such as the threat of avian influenza and the growing incidence of kidney infections in poultry, particularly in states like West Bengal, Assam, and Telangana. These issues, which directly impact productivity and farmer livelihoods, underscore the urgent need for improved vaccination strategies, stronger biosecurity measures, and greater investments in R&D.
Discussions then turned to aquaculture, with an emphasis on the immense untapped potential of India’s domestic market. With 76% of the population consuming non-vegetarian food and more than 80% not meeting their daily protein requirements, aquaculture was recognized as a critical driver of both nutrition security and economic growth.
While rising tariffs on shrimp exports to the US have posed challenges, stakeholders viewed this as an opportunity to boost domestic demand, enhance price realization for farmers, and develop value-added products for Indian consumers. Supported by government initiatives such as FIDF and PM-MKSSY, industry leaders called for stronger partnerships between government and industry to build resilience and ensure the sector is future-ready.
The symposium featured a series of engaging panel discussions that brought together leading experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues shaping the future of animal agriculture in India.
The first panel discussion on the topic, “Feed, Raw Materials and Other Inputs – Balancing the Balance Sheet”, moderated by Dr. O. P. Chaudhary (Retd. JS NLM/PC), brought insights from industry leaders including Mr. R. Ramkutty (Broiler Coordination Committee), Dr. R. S. Masali (Godrej Agrovet Ltd.), Dr. P. S. Mahesh (CEAH-Bengaluru), Dr. N. C. Manju (Animal Nutritionist) and Mr. Jaison John, CLFMA MC Member, Dr. Gagan Garg, Dy. Commissioner of Trade, Department of AH & D, GOI. The session was followed by an engaging Q&A with the dignitaries and delegates present at the symposium.
This was followed by the Right to Protein initiative by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a Special Session delivered by Mr. Jaison John, Regional Head, Market Intelligence – South Asia, USSEC, and Managing Committee Member, CLFMA. He highlighted USSEC’s Right To Protein initiative, the campaign aims to educate people about the importance of adequate protein consumption for better nutrition, health, and well-being.
This was followed by a high-level dialogue with national associations on the “Outlook of Animal Agriculture for Viksit Bharat,” moderated by Shri. Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.). Eminent speakers included Mr. Suresh Chitturi, Vice Chairman, All India Poultry Breeders Association, Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA OF INDIA, Mr. Ranpal Dhanda, President, Poultry Federation of India, Mr. Daljit Singh, President, Progressive Dairy Farmers Association, Mr. Saji Chacko, President, Society for Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Mr. Ravi Kumar Yellanki, President, All India Shrimp Hatchery Association, Mr. Madan Mohan Maity, General Secretary, West Bengal Poultry Federation Association, Mr. Uday Singh Bayas, President, Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association, representatives from the poultry, dairy, shrimp, aquaculture, and equipment manufacturing sectors, who shared perspectives on strengthening India’s position as a global leader in animal agriculture. The session was followed by an engaging Q&A with the dignitaries and delegates present at the symposium.
The 3rd Session briefed by Dr. Vijay Makhija, CLFMA MC Member, the session on “Animal Agriculture: Health Challenges & Potential Solutions”, moderated by Dr. P. K. Shukla (Mathura Veterinary College), addressed pressing concerns in poultry and dairy health, featuring experts such as Dr. M. R. Reddy (Association of Avian Health Professionals), Dr. A. S. Ranade, Retd. Professor and Dean at Mumbai Veterinary College, Mumbai & CLFMA Technical Committee Head, Dr. Mukesh Sharma (Dairy Consultant), and Dr. Shirish Nigam (President, INFAH). The session was followed by an engaging Q&A with the dignitaries and delegates present at the symposium.
The day concluded with a Valedictory Session, led by Mr. Abhay Shah, Dy. Chairman, CLFMA of India, which included the felicitation of sponsors, media, guests, and invitees, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. R. Ramkutty, Treasurer, CLFMA of India.
The CLFMA delegation included:
- Chairman, Divya Kumar Gulati
- DY. Chairman Mr Sumit Sureka
- DY. Chairman Mr Naveen Pasuparthy
- DY. Chairman Mr Abhay Parnerkar
- DY. Chairman Mr Abhay Shah
- Hon. Secretary Mr Nissar F. Mohammed
- Treasurer Mr R. Ramkutty
- Convenor, Mr Vijay Bhandare
The programme concluded with a networking dinner, live performance, and the felicitation of sponsors, media representatives, guests, and invitees, marking a celebratory end to two days of engaging discussions and knowledge exchange.
About CLFMA of India:
Founded in June 1967 as The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association, CLFMA of India is the apex body for the country’s livestock sector. It represents over 250 members across various sub-sectors, including feed manufacturing, poultry, dairy, aquaculture, animal nutrition, and veterinary services. CLFMA is recognised by Central and State Governments, livestock farmers, government agencies, agricultural universities, veterinary colleges, and national research institutes. As the voice of the Indian livestock industry, CLFMA advocates for sustainable growth, industry standards, and policy development, contributing significantly to the advancement of the animal protein value chain in India and internationally. The theme “Animal Agriculture in India – The Way Forward” aims to highlight the path towards a future-ready livestock sector — one that embraces innovation, technology adoption, policy support, and responsible practices. This includes:
- Strengthening value chains across dairy, poultry, fisheries, and small ruminants
- Adoption of digital tools, genomics, precision nutrition, and climate-smart practices
- Encouraging public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, and scientific R&D
- Empowering women and youth, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring inclusive growth