CLFMA of India and PDFA Bring Together Dairy Farmers and Feed Industry Leaders to Advance Sustainable Dairy and Livestock Nutrition
Delhi / Ludhiana : The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA) of India, in collaboration with the Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA), organised a Dairy Farmers Meet in Ludhiana to discuss the latest trends, scientific advancements and innovative solutions for modern dairy farming. The event served as a collaborative platform for dairy farmers, academicians, industry leaders, veterinarians and livestock nutrition experts to exchange knowledge, share practical insights and deliberate on solutions to enhance dairy productivity, animal health and sustainable farming practices.
The morning session, held at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), was dedicated to empowering dairy farmers with practical and science-backed knowledge to improve herd health, productivity and farm profitability.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by the Progressive Dairy Farmers Association, followed by an inaugural address by Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, who emphasized the importance of scientific feeding practices, continuous farmer education and stronger industry-academia partnerships in enhancing the competitiveness of India’s dairy sector.
One of the key technical sessions featured Dr. Harish Dharne, Berg and Schmidt India Pvt. Ltd., who delivered an insightful presentation on effective management of transition cows and highlighted the critical role of choline in improving metabolic health, reducing transition-related disorders and enhancing milk production.
The knowledge sessions continued with Dr. Mukesh, who shared practical strategies on managing dry cows and preparing them for the next lactation cycle, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, health management and timely interventions. The academic segment was further strengthened by Dr. Hujaz Tariq from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, who addressed participants on scientific dairy management practices and the latest advancements in livestock production.
The morning programme concluded with addresses by Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, and Mr. Daljeet Singh, President, Progressive Dairy Farmers Association, who reaffirmed the need for greater collaboration among farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders to enhance productivity, improve animal welfare and ensure long-term sustainability of the dairy ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, said:
“India’s dairy sector has immense potential to become even more productive and globally competitive, provided scientific feeding practices and modern livestock management become integral to every dairy farm. Knowledge sharing initiatives such as these play a vital role in bridging the gap between research and the field. At CLFMA of India, we remain committed to supporting farmers through science-led nutrition, industry collaboration and continuous capacity building that ultimately improves animal health, farm profitability and food security.”
The evening session, hosted at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ludhiana, shifted the focus towards feed manufacturing, ingredient innovation and market intelligence, bringing together feed millers and industry executives for discussions on emerging opportunities and current industry challenges.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Munish Sharma, General Manager, PDS, followed by a presentation from Chris Markey, Regional Director – Southeast Asia & Oceania, US Grains and BioProducts Council, on “DDGS as an Alternative Feed Ingredient.” The session explored the growing relevance of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as a cost-effective and nutritionally valuable ingredient that can contribute to more sustainable feed formulations.
The programme further featured Mr. S. V. Bhave, Managing Director, Berg and Schmidt India Pvt. Ltd., who provided an overview of the Current Scenario in Oils & Oilcakes, discussing market dynamics, raw material availability and evolving sourcing trends impacting the livestock feed sector.
A key highlight of the evening was an engaging panel discussion on “Present Challenges in Feed Industry,” moderated by Mr. S. V. Bhave. The discussion brought together distinguished industry leaders including Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, Mr. Daljeet Singh, President, PDFA, Mr. Ashok Gupta, President, AFMA, and Dr. R.S. Grewal, Director of Extension Education, GADVASU. The panel deliberated on raw material availability, feed affordability, adoption of scientific nutrition, quality standards, emerging technologies and the importance of collaboration across the livestock value chain to ensure sustainable growth.
Mr. Daljeet Singh, President, Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA), said, “For dairy farmers, access to practical knowledge is just as important as access to quality inputs. Today’s discussions reinforced that better transition cow management, balanced nutrition and timely adoption of scientific practices can significantly improve milk yield, animal health and farm profitability. We are grateful to CLFMA of India and all the experts who shared valuable, field-oriented insights that our farmers can readily implement. Such collaborative initiatives strengthen the connection between research, industry and the farming community, ultimately making our dairy sector more resilient and future-ready. “
The event concluded with an interactive networking session, enabling meaningful engagement among dairy farmers, feed manufacturers, researchers, veterinarians and industry experts, further strengthening partnerships aimed at advancing India’s dairy and livestock sectors.
