Mumbai: The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA) of India successfully concluded its 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 67th National Symposium on 11th and 12th September 2026 at The Leela Mumbai. Themed ‘Animal Agriculture – The Backbone of Sustainable Development’, the two-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, farmers and allied stakeholders to discuss the priorities shaping the future of India’s animal agriculture sector.
The event commenced with the Chairman’s Address by Mr Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, who outlined the need to strengthen the foundations of animal agriculture, particularly through greater feed security, domestic production and stronger collaboration across the value chain.
Setting the tone for the discussions, Shri Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, delivered the thematic address, highlighting the sector’s role in strengthening livelihoods, nutrition and economic development.
The symposium was graced by eminent dignitaries, including Mr Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, AHD, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India; and Dr Muthukumarasamy B., Joint Secretary (NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
Mr Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, said, “The symposium has reinforced that the future of animal agriculture will be shaped by the strength of the ecosystem supporting it. As demand grows, we must strengthen domestic capabilities, improve the efficiency of the value chain and create greater resilience at the farm level. This calls for sustained engagement between industry, government, research institutions and farmers, with a shared focus on building a sector that can support livelihoods while meeting the country’s growing nutritional needs.”
Mr Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, AHD, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, said, “The discussions have made clear that the next phase of growth in livestock will require stronger connections across the value chain. Farmers, feed manufacturers, processors, markets and policymakers each have a role to play, and greater coordination between them can help address gaps in productivity and efficiency. As consumption patterns evolve, a more integrated sector will be better placed to respond to demand and create greater value for those engaged in it.”
Dr Muthukumarasamy B., Joint Secretary (NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, said, “Improving productivity in animal agriculture requires a sustained focus on the fundamentals, from better genetics and animal health to quality feed, research and farmer capacity. The discussions have highlighted the need to take these priorities together rather than address them in isolation. Strengthening farmers’ ability to produce, manage and make better use of available resources will be an important part of building a more productive and resilient sector.”