India’s Livestock sector holds great potential to feed the country and the world affordable and high-quality animal protein” said Mr. Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Goa at the CLFMA 60th National Symposium 2018 held in Goa on 7th and 8th September 2018. He further added that in the interest of the food and nutrition security of the country, it is absolutely necessary to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness with conducive policies including taxation, particularly GST on raw materials.
The flagship annual event by CLFMA of India, the apex association representing the livestock industry in India, witnessed eminent speakers from across the globe sharing interesting trends and emerging innovations that will be shaping the Indian livestock sector’s future.
Welcoming all the delegates, Mr. Divya Kumar Gulati, Convener, mentioned “It is a historic moment for CLFMA to organize such an event focusing on the youngest and budding leaders of tomorrow. It gives us immense confidence that the industry is going to be in safe hands driven by innovative brains.”
Delivering the keynote address at the symposium’s inaugural ceremony, Mr. Tarun Shridhar, Secretary Depart of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, mentioned “Livestock sector is one of the most stable, reliable and low hanging opportunities to double farmers’ incomes. It is the backbone of the rural economy and supports the livelihoods of millions of people. The Government is keen to create a science-based, sound policy environment which will provide the fuel for the sector’s growth in the next decade.”
This year’s theme for CLFMA’s annual symposium was ‘GenNXT wave: People, Technologies and Innovation’ and how all these individually and in combination are going to impact the Indian livestock sector.
- People – the next-gen business professionals and entrepreneurs are looking at the potential of the sector with a renewed optimism and potential for growth in the next decades.
- Technologies – Experts shared how IoT, Blockchain, digital applications are transforming the livestock sector globally and avenues for localization for India’s smallholder scenario.
- Innovation – revolutionary ideas that are changing in terms of products, marketing, and supply chain on how these innovations can help improve animal welfare, the environmental sustainability and boost farmers’ incomes
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. B Soundararajan, Chairman, CLFMA of India, said “Without fresh ideas from outside the system, no industry can survive in the hyper-connected, fast-changing world. There is a desperate need for next-gen, young and bright minds with the clear vision, grit and perseverance to make a positive contribution to the society for all industries particularly livestock sector. It is impossible to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without significant participation and contribution from youth in every aspect. We strongly believe the country’s fast-growing livestock sector offers an ocean of opportunities for those who are willing to explore.”
The symposium addressed the key issues such as how to ensure that India’s animal-agribusiness sector attracts the best talent, sparkling brains and skilled hands from different fields and retains them; how to make this sector as one of the preferred career paths by youngsters only then the real innovations can sprout and flourish; and how traditional business paradigms; entrenched perceptions and outdated practices must pave the way for technology and innovation-drive newer and fresher ideas.
Mr. S. V. Bhave, Deputy Chairman, CLFMA of India, in his vote of thanks said “all the three aspects – People, Technologies and Innovations – must work in tandem with each other as a package to transform the livestock sector into a highly-competitive and profitable yet sustainable producer of good quality animal protein at affordable prices.”
Videos of all presentations will be posted on the associations’ website www.clfma.org and also on the YouTube channel in the coming weeks.
