CLFMA of India’s 59th AGM & 67th National Symposium 2026 Commences in Mumbai with Industry Leaders and Policymakers

POSTED BY:- Poonam S. Juthani
DT:-12/09/2026
9867490397

• Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary AHD, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India
• Shri Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India
• Muthukumarasamy B., Joint Secretary (NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India

Mumbai, 11th September 2026: The Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India (CLFMA) commenced its 59th Annual General Meeting and 67th National Symposium today at The Leela Mumbai. Themed “Animal Agriculture – The Backbone of Sustainable Development,” the two-day event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, experts, academicians, and stakeholders from across the animal agriculture ecosystem to deliberate on the priorities and opportunities shaping the sector’s future.

The inaugural session featured the Chairman’s Address by Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, followed by the Thematic Address by Shri Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), former Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The programme also featured addresses by senior government officials, 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, along with other distinguished guests.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, said, “The demand for maize continues to remain high, and ensuring adequate production must be one of our prime focuses. At the same time, soybean meal remains a critical concern for the feed industry, making the availability and production of both these key raw materials increasingly important for the sustainability of animal agriculture. We need to focus on strengthening domestic production and building a more resilient feed ecosystem. I would also like to extend my special thanks to all our associations present here today. Their continued participation and collaboration are vital to addressing the challenges before the sector and taking animal agriculture forward on a sustainable path.”

Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary AHD, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, said, “The agriculture sector is growing at around 12%, and the demand for livestock products is growing rapidly, making it imperative to improve production and productivity across the sector. With protein intake expected to increase in the years ahead, there will be a growing need for a strong and efficient nutrition industry to meet this demand. The livestock sector is also undergoing an important transition from production and sustenance towards becoming a more organised enterprise. To support this transformation, building an integrated value chain is a necessity, bringing together farmers, feed manufacturers, processors, markets, and other stakeholders to create a more efficient and sustainable sector.”

Dr. Muthukumarasamy B., Joint Secretary (NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, said, “The Government of India is actively supporting the feed manufacturing sector, while the National Livestock Mission is also focusing on seed production, including maize and sorghum, to improve productivity and strengthen the availability of quality feed resources. Today, the rising cost of feed is a major challenge for both manufacturers and farmers, and addressing this requires focus on three key areas — improving the genetic potential of animals, creating a favourable environment through effective disease control and vaccination, and strengthening research within the industry. Our larger goal must be to empower farmers to become more self-reliant and strengthen their capacity to produce and manage resources within their own farming systems.”

A key highlight of the inaugural programme was the CLFMA Awards and Student Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions to the animal agriculture sector and encouraging the next generation of talent. Mr. Jagbir Singh Dhull was honoured with the prestigious CLFMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the industry, while Dr. Abhishek Venkat (Poultry), Dr. Mehnaaz Qayoom (Dairy), and Ms. Shreya Awasthi (Aqua) were recognised with the CLFMA Gold Medals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their respective fields.

The programme also included the launch of the CLFMA Souvenir and Survey Report, offering insights into the sector and reflecting the association’s continued efforts to contribute to the development of animal agriculture in India. The day concluded with a networking dinner, live performance, and the felicitation of sponsors, media representatives, guests, and invitees.

The symposium will continue with discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on the key challenges and opportunities facing animal agriculture, including feed and raw material availability, production, sustainability, animal health, innovation, and strengthening the overall ecosystem. The deliberations are expected to provide a platform for industry and policymakers to exchange perspectives and identify collaborative approaches towards building a resilient and sustainable animal agriculture sector.