New Delhi: To advance India’s journey toward resilient and quality-driven livestock development, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, convened a National Stakeholder Workshop on Modernizing India’s Animal Husbandry Sector at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on July 9, 2025. The event, themed “Transforming India’s Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy, Fisheries and Processing through Technology and Innovation,” was held as part of the 4th Conference of Chief Secretaries’ departmental summits.
Focus on Quality, Innovation, and Global Alignment
The workshop was chaired by Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, who emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration in building a globally competitive animal husbandry sector. In her keynote address, she highlighted that Animal Husbandry contributes 30.7% to India’s total agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and stands as a critical cash-generating sector.
Smt. Upadhyaya stressed the need for:
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Widespread formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
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Enhanced coordination across national and state levels
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Investment in quality fodder, breeding innovation, and disease control
She also reaffirmed DAHD’s commitment to aligning India’s animal husbandry practices with global standards for sustainability and resilience.
Welcoming Address and Departmental Vision
Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (C&DD), DAHD, welcomed participants and articulated the department’s strategic vision. She reiterated the importance of ensuring quality production, particularly through the availability of nutritious fodder, and reflected on DAHD’s achievements in milk, egg, and meat production.
She underlined the imperative to modernize operations in:
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Breeding technology
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Disease surveillance and diagnostics
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Skilling and capacity building
Regional Consultations: Addressing Local Challenges
The workshop featured four regional breakout sessions focusing on distinct geographic needs and challenges. States and Union Territories were grouped into the following zones:
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Northern Region: J&K, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
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Western Region: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Rajasthan
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Southern Region: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry
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Eastern & North-Eastern Region: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar
Each session engaged state representatives in region-specific dialogues on:
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Productivity enhancement strategies
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Disease control and vaccination mechanisms
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Fodder and feed security
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Sustainable livestock practices
Toward an Actionable Roadmap
The concluding plenary session synthesized feedback from States/UTs and outlined a collaborative roadmap for implementation. The strategy aims to promote technology adoption, strengthen veterinary infrastructure, and ensure farmer-centric development models in the animal husbandry sector. The dialogue reaffirmed India’s intent to build a modern, self-reliant livestock economy, aligned with both national goals and global benchmarks.
Conclusion:
The Stakeholder Workshop reaffirmed the centrality of the animal husbandry sector in India’s rural economy and development strategy. With an emphasis on technology, quality, and collaboration, the event marks a significant step in the Government of India’s mission to transform the sector into a globally competitive, sustainable, and inclusive pillar of growth.
Source: PIB
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