Doubling Farmers' Income through Indian Livestock Sector

Doubling Farmers' income by the year 2022 has been high on the government agenda. This is in tune with the commitment of the government to accord priority to the agriculture sector and balancing growth with the welfare of the farmers. The livestock and fisheries sector have a critical role to play in meeting this goal. Within the larger framework of agriculture, livestock, poultry and fisheries have been consistently registering a higher rate of growth compared to crop husbandry. Hence it is all the more important that their potential and contribution is deliberated upon exclusively to devise appropriate policies and strategies for future growth and sustainability.

Recognising the special and unique status of this sector, the government has taken an important and historic step of separating it from agriculture and creating a new and independent Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. This surely would provide a much needed and renewed focus to livestock, fisheries, dairying etc. and spur further growth in rural economy. The entire livestock and fisheries sector and industry appreciates the government for this initiative.

With the Objective of Doubling Farmers' Income through the Indian Livestock Sector a  61st National Symposium 2019 was organized on the eve of 52nd Annual General Meeting to build partnership with the government to take forward the agenda of doubling farmers' income. The industry aims to play a constructive and proactive role in implementing the government policies and programmes; provide valuable inputs in taking new and innovative policy initiatives; support the new ministry in building a strong institutional framework for the sector and above all provide high quality products and services to the farmers. With a healthy blend of experts from the government and the private sector, the deliberations during the symposium are expected to produce tangible and doable ideas to take the sector forward towards sustainable growth.

There were three Sessions with the theme of value addition with special focus on processing and the third session was on livestock Industry interaction with Government.

All the sessions were designed around the theme of strong partnerships of all stakeholders to achieve the larger goal of a healthy contribution of livestock and fisheries sector in doubling farmers' incomes. The topics have been carefully selected as could be of direct benefit to the participants and CLFMA members. The speakers are figures of eminence both from government and industry, each one of them possessing vast knowledge and experience. At the end of the symposium, a set of recommendations would be made to the policy makers and all other stakeholders.

CLFMA is committed to take the outcomes of this symposium forward by way of positive action and support to the government and the sector. It also reaffirms its commitment to continue its efforts to provide high quality feed, the most vital component in livestock and fish rearing, at affordable prices to the millions of farmers. This symposium is a demonstration of this commitment.