the goan I network
PANAJI
CLFMA, the apex association representing the livestock industry in India, held its 60th National Symposium in Goa recently. The flagship annual event witnessed eminent speakers from across the globe sharing interesting trends and emerging innovations that will be shaping the future of India’s livestock sector.
“India’s livestock sector holds great potential to feed the country and the world affordable and high-quality animal protein,” said Mauvin Godinho, minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services at the symposium.
“In the interest of food security of the country it is absolutely necessary to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness with conducive polices, including taxation, particularly GST, on raw materials,” the minister added.
Welcoming the delegates, convener Divya Kumar Gulati said, “It is a historic moment for CLFMA to organise 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.”
Delivering the keynote address, Tarun Shridhar, secretary, department of Animal Husbandry, government of India said, “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 the symposium was ‘GenNXT wave: People, Technologies and Innovation’ and how all these individually and in combination are going to impact the Indian livestock sector.
Speaking on the occasion, 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 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 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.
