Dear Members,
Please find the news track below for your kind perusal.
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CLFMA News
Divya Kumar Gulati: Harnessing the India–Israel FTA to Transform India’s Livestock and Dairy Ecosystem
https://krishijagran.com/opinion/divya-kumar-gulati-harnessing-the-india-israel-fta-to-transform-india-s-livestock-and-dairy-ecosystem/?amp=1
Krishi Jagran | 2nd March 2026
The India–Israel FTA talks are an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and livestock. Israel has strong expertise in precision dairy farming, animal genetics, feed efficiency and water management, and these solutions can make a real difference on the ground in India. In focused Centres of Excellence, dairy yield per animal can potentially double, water usage for fodder and cleaning can come down by 40–60%, and early disease detection can help reduce animal mortality by up to 20%.
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Industry News
Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora Inaugurates ₹300 Crore Cargill Dairy Feed Plant in Mandi Gobindgarh
https://indianmasterminds.com/news/punjab-sanjeev-arora-inaugurates-cargill-dairy-feed-plant-300-crore-188839/
Indian Masterminds | 3rd March 2026
In a major boost to Punjab’s dairy and agro-industrial sector, Industry and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora inaugurated Cargill Private Limited’s new ₹300 crore Dairy Feed Plant in Mandi Gobindgarh, marking it as South Asia’s largest dairy feed facility. The plant, established under the “Invest Punjab” initiative, will generate employment for 1,000 local youths and provide high-quality animal feed to dairy farmers, enhancing milk production, quality, and farmer income.
PM Modi announces ‘Villages of Excellence’ to further India-Israel agricultural cooperation
https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-modi-announces-villages-of-excellence-to-further-india-israel-agricultural-cooperation/
DD News | 26th February 2026
On the back of the success of the Centres of Excellence established with Israeli cooperation across India for strengthening the agricultural sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the creation of “Villages of Excellence” to further deepen agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
Indian Poultry Shipments Climb to All-Time High on Gulf Buying Spree
Source: India Sea trade News
India’s poultry export sector has achieved a record-high level of international shipments, driven largely by strong demand from Gulf and other regional markets, industry sources say. Demand for products such as table eggs and related poultry goods has boosted the value and volume of exports compared with previous years. According to trade data, Indian poultry exports reached new milestones in recent years, with shipments valued at a record $184million during the 2023–24 financial year, up sharply from earlier periods. This surge came on the back of heightened demand from key markets in West Asia, including Oman, the UAE and Qatar, as well as neighbouring destinations such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Growth in exports has been attributed to several factors: a strengthening of India’s cold-chain logistics, improved quality certifications (including halal standards), and expanded market access that has helped Indian poultry producers secure orders from overseas buyers. In Oman, for example, poultry goods accounted for a significant portion of India’s agri-food exports throughout 2025. Despite the upbeat export trend, industry stakeholders caution that geopolitical and regulatory changes in Gulf markets could influence future trade flows. Recently, Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on poultry and egg imports from 40 countries, including India, as a precautionary measure linked to global animal health concerns — a move that may affect some export channels if maintained over the long term. Industry leaders, however, point to wider Gulf and regional demand outside the Saudi market, with exporters actively diversifying to other Middle Eastern hubs and even new territories. According to poultry export associations, there is ongoing interest in markets such as the UAE, Qatar and select African nations, where Indian poultry products continue to command strong buyer interest.
Indian poultry sector sees no impact of Saudi curbs on imports
Source: Hindu Businessline
Saudi Arabia’s ban on poultry imports will not have any material impact on India’s poultry sector, as the West Asian nation accounts for only a negligible share. Saudi Arabia’s food safety regulator had recently banned imports of poultry meat and table eggs from 40 countries, including India, as a precaution against bird flu and other animal diseases. Industry stakeholders said that trade volumes to Saudi Arabia have historically been minimal, with Indian shipments largely directed to other markets in the region. Consequently, the restriction is not expected to disrupt domestic production, pricing, or export realisations in any meaningful way. “There will not be any impact of the Saudi ban on Indian poultry sector. Saudi is not importing from us,” said Valsan Parameswaran, Secretary, All India Poultry Product Exporters Association. As per the DGCIS data, India’s poultry exports to Saudi Arabia during 2024-25 stood at 79.74 tonnes valued at $0.10 million, accounting for a fraction of the overall poultry exports. India’s overall poultry exports during financial year 2024-25 were over 10.34 lakh tonnes valued at $168.77 million. Small share India exports around 10 million eggs to West Asian countries daily largely from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. “Our markets are mainly Oman, Turkey, the UAE and Qatar,” Parameswaran said. The exports constitute a very small share in overall poultry meat and egg productions in the country. “This restriction on imports of poultry products by Saudi Arabia would not impact the Indian poultry sector as shipments to Saudi Arabia are limited as well as local demand and consumption are rising steadily,” says Ricky Thaper, Joint Secretary, Poultry Federation of India. Thaper stated that the Indian poultry industry is urrently valued at $30 billion and employs 6 million people directly or indirectly. The broiler (meat purpose) bird population is 5.5 billion annually and the layer (for eggs) population is 350 millions. In addition, there are 40 million backyard birds.
Bay of Bengal nationsset for major transformation in small-scale fisheries governance
Source: Hindu Businessline
Fisheries governance across the Bay of Bengal region, including India, is expected get a major overhaul, with countries committing to develop nationally owned National Plans of Action for the small-scale fisheries sector. At a global meeting of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management (COFI-FM) held by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) proposed FAO–regional collaboration to transform the fisheries governance in the Bay of Bengal countries in a way that supports small-scale fisheries across India, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka. With India home to over 4 million marine fishers and millions more in inland fisheries, the emphasis on inclusive governance, social protection and practical management tools for small-scale fisheries is expected to directly shape upcoming national policies and programmes. The organisation alerted that a large share of the region’s fishing fleet is nearing the end of its life cycle and requires urgent replacement and sustainable disposal, a press release said. Presenting the regional need at the meeting, BOBP Director P Krishnan stressed the need for immediate plans to phase out ageing vessels, promote circular economy practices and introduce safer, more durable boat materials. The transition is critical for sustainability and for the future of millions engaged in small-scale fisheries, he said. Highlighting the social dimension, the roadmap underlined initiatives on safety at sea, decent work, insurance and livelihood support, including expanding opportunities for women in fisheries value chains. The organisation further emphasised stronger regional cooperation on shared and trans boundary fish stocks through joint assessments and coordinated management under existing Bay of Bengal platforms, a move expected to improve long-term fish availability and reduce overfishing across national waters.
Summer sowing gains momentum; oilseed acreage jumps nearly 60% YoY
Source: Agrospectrum
Overall coverage rises to 21.30 lakh hectares as farmers pivot toward groundnut and coarse cereals India’s summer crop sowing has gathered pace, with total area coverage reaching 21.30 lakh hectares as on February 20, 2026, compared to 20.38 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year — a year-on-year increase of 0.92 lakh hectares, or roughly 4.5 per cent. The latest data signals steady momentum across key crop categories, particularly oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals, even as rice coverage remains unchanged on a year-on-year basis.
Oilseeds Lead Expansion
Oilseeds recorded the sharpest increase in acreage. Area sown rose to 1.24 lakh hectares, up from 0.77 lakh hectares in the same period last year — an expansion of 0.46 lakh hectares, representing nearly 60 per cent growth. Groundnut accounted for the bulk of the increase, with coverage rising by 0.44 lakh hectares year-on-year. Sunflower and sesamum recorded marginal gains, while other oilseeds showed incremental additions. The surge in oilseed sowing reflects continued policy emphasis on import substitution and edible oil self-sufficiency.
Coarse Cereals Gain Traction
Area under Shree Anna (millets) and coarse cereals rose to 1.38 lakh hectares, up from 1.08 lakh hectares a year earlier, marking a 0.30 lakh hectare increase. Maize led the category with a 0.17 lakh hectare increase, followed by ragi and jowar. Bajra registered a marginal dip of 0.03 lakh hectares, but overall momentum in the segment remains positive, aligned with sustained focus on nutri-cereals and climate-resilient crops.
Pulses Show Moderate Uptick
Total pulses coverage reached 0.91 lakh hectares, compared to 0.76 lakh hectares last year — a rise of 0.15 lakh hectares. Blackgram posted a stronger increase relative to greengram, while other pulses contributed modestly.
NDDB to Connect 8,000 Rajasthan Villages to Dairy Co-ops
Source: Dairy News 7x7
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has announced an ambitious expansion of India’s dairy cooperative network, with plans to link about 8,000 villages in Rajasthan to organised dairy cooperatives over the next five years as part of a broader effort covering 75,000 villages nationwide.The initiative aims to deepen rural participation in the cooperative dairy system and strengthen milk procurement networks. Speaking at the ‘Rangeelo 2026’ dairy and livestock festival in Jobner, NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah said the programme will not only bring new villages into cooperative structures but also enhance infrastructure in around 4,000 existing villages — including milk testing facilities and collection systems — to improve quality and transparency in the milk value chain. This expansion is seen as critical to increasing the share of organised milk flows, which NDDB notes currently account for only about 35–40% of India’s marketable surplus, with the remainder still unorganised. India’s dairy cooperative movement has been instrumental in transforming the country into the world’s largest milk producer, with annual output nearing 250 million metric tonnes — up markedly from earlier decades — and involving nearly 8 crore farmers across rural India. By integrating more villages into cooperatives, NDDB hopes to boost farmer incomes, enhance product quality for consumers, and strengthen the organised dairy sector under initiatives such as White Revolution 2.0. During the event, traditional and indigenous cattle breeds were also showcased, and discussions covered sustainable livestock practices, including biogas generation and scientific manure management to address environmental challenges tied to large livestock populations.
India consistently retained its top position globally in milk production: Govt
Source: News on AIR
India has consistently retained its top position globally in milk production, contributing nearly 25 per cent of the world’s total output.Over the decade, the sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate of around six per cent, with production increasing from 146 million tonnes in 2014-15 to over 247 million tonnes in 2024-25, representing a growth of over 69.4 per cent.This sustained expansion has contributed to improved nutritional access, reflected in per capita milk availability of 485 grams per day in 2024-25, significantly exceeding the global average of 328 grams.The government has said that India’s agricultural progress is increasingly supported by the expansion of allied sectors such as livestock, dairy, poultry, and fisheries.These sectors have become major contributors to agricultural Gross Value Added and rural employment.
NDDB assures full support for strengthening Nalgonda Dairy
Source: Thehansindia
Hyderabad: Dr Meenesh C Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has assured full cooperation for strengthening Nalgonda Dairy. He responded positively during a high-level review meeting and reiterated NDDB’s commitment to supporting measures aimed at stabilising and reviving the dairy.
The meeting, held in Ahmedabad, was attended by Vakiti Srihari, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Youth Services; Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MP from Bhongir; Beerla Ilaiah; Gutha Amith Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Dairy Development Corporation; and G. Madhusudhan Reddy, Chairman of Mother Dairy.
During the meeting, participants conducted a detailed review of the dairy union’s financial and administrative position. Key issues discussed included clearing outstanding bank dues, settling pending payments to farmers, reviving dairy operations, and strengthening the organisation’s administrative framework.
Minister bats for Amul model to give boost to TG dairy sector
Source: The Hans India
Hyderabad/Ahmedabad: Ministerfor Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports Vakiti Srihari said Telangana should adopt the Gujarat model in milk production and asserted that the State government is preparing an action plan to make Telangana number one in the sector. A ministerial delegation led by Srihari visited the renowned Amul milk processing plant in Anand to study the dairy development policies being implemented in Gujarat. The delegation included Gutha Amith Reddy, Chairman of the State Dairy Development Cooperative; Government Whip Beerla Ilaiah; Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MP from Bhuvanagiri; and G Madhusudhan Reddy, Chairman of Mother Dairy. The team was warmly welcomed by Dr Meenesh C Shah,Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), along with senior officials. During the visit, Dr Shah briefed the delegation on modern technologies adopted by Amul, including milk collection, storage, processing and marketing systems. NDDB officials explained how the cooperative dairy model has strengthened the rural economy, ensured stable incomes for farmers and expanded the cooperative network across Gujarat and the country. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Srihari said the success of the Amul model would serve as an inspiration for Telangana. He stated that the government is committed to developing the dairy industry, increasing farmers’ incomes and creating employment opportunities for rural youth. He noted that the dairy sector plays a crucial role in women’s economic empowerment. The minister said Telangana would implement Gujarat’s best practices to enhance milk production, adopt modern technology, strengthen the cooperative system and ensure better prices for farmers. He added that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is giving special attention to the dairy sector. Srihari thanked Dr. Meenesh C. Shah and Gujarat officials for their warm welcome and support during the visit.
Skill development prog on fisheries held
Source: Arunachaltimes
ROING, 27 Feb: A three-day skill development training programme on ‘Species diversification to augment productivity and return from carp polyculture’ was conducted by the Central Institute of Fisheries Education’s (CIFE) Kolkata Centre, in collaboration with the fisheries department here in Lower Dibang Valley district on recently. The programme was aimed at empowering fish farmers by imparting practical knowledge and skills to meet the increasing fish demand. The objective is to increase the income of socially backward farmers by at least two-fold, thus improving their livelihood standards and ultimately enhancing the total fish production of the state. The training programme was inaugurated by progressive farmer Jatin Pulu, who underscored the importance of adopting scientific fish farming to increase productivity and double farmers’ incomes. He motivated the farmers to make full use of the CIFE initiative to bring more areas under modern fish culture methods and increase fish production in the district. District Fisheries Officer Neriyang Jamoh highlighted the importance of advanced aquaculture methods to augment fish production and commended the CIFE for providing the training to benefit the fish farming community. She urged the participants to make full use of the knowledge and skills developed through the programme, along with critical inputs such as lime, soil and water test kits, study materials, etc, to manage their culture ponds. CIFE Kolkata Centre principal scientist Dr GH Pailan conducted various theory and hands-on classes on nursery and rearing pond management for raising carp; feed and feeding strategies in aquaculture; and on-farm cost- effective feed formulation and preparation.
India Eats Less Protein Than Needed-Experts Call For Egg And Poultry Push.
Source: Citytoday
Highlighting the growing burden of protein deficiency in India, Dr.Krishnamurthy T. N., Professor and Head, Department of Poultry Science, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru, under the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, along with departmental experts, noted that nearly 70–80% of Indians do not meet recommended daily protein requirements. They observed that cereal-dominated dietary patterns often lack essential amino acids and show lower digestibility, thereby contributing to widespread nutritional gaps. Speaking at a press interaction, Dr. Krishnamurthy emphasised that eggs and chicken serve as complete protein sources containing all nine essential amino acids necessary for growth, immunity and tissue repair. Eggs, he said, function as affordable “protein capsules” in addressing malnutrition, offering 6–7 grams of high-quality protein per egg along with vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, zinc and choline. Nutritionists, he added, strongly advocate egg consumption among children and pregnant women to support brain development and prevent stunting, while eggs also played a supportive dietary role in immunity during the Covid-19 period. Despite the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition recommending an annual intake of about 180 eggs per person, current per-capita consumption remains around 106 eggs. The department further highlighted the importance of chicken meat as a concentrated lean protein source beneficial for muscle maintenance and metabolic health. Lean chicken breast provides approximately 25–31 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it more protein-dense than many dairy products and pulses. As a healthier alternative to red meat, chicken also supplies essential B-vitamins such as niacin and vitamin B6, along with minerals including phosphorus and selenium.
Northeast India’s first blind groundwater fish discovered
Source: Nenow
Guwahati: An international team of scientists from Germany, India, and Switzerland has described a remarkable new genus and species of blind, groundwater-dwelling fish from a dug-out well in Assam. The discovery marks the first-ever record of an aquifer-dwelling (phreatobitic) fish from Northeast India and the Eastern Himalayan landscape, revealing hidden subterranean biodiversity beneath the region’s feet. Named Gitchak nakana, the species draws from the Garo language, “Gitchak” meaning red, referencing its striking blood-red live colour, and “na-tok” and “kana” referring to a blind fish. Belonging to a newly described genus within the family Cobitidae (loaches), the tiny fish grows to just 2 cm and displays classic subterranean adaptations, or troglomorphies: no externally visible eyes, a translucent, pigmentless body, and extreme miniaturization. The species was first collected in March 2021 from a well in Assam’s Goalpara district by PhD scholar Wimarithy K. Marak of Assam Don Bosco University and her brother Leminard K. Marak. Initially unsure of their find, further examination with Dr. Lokeshwor Yumnam confirmed it as a loach. Only 13 individuals were collected over three visits from the same well, suggesting the species may be rare. While caves of the Shillong Plateau host blind subterranean fishes such as Neolissochilus pnar, Schistura papulifera, and Schistura larketensis, these are cave-dwellers. Gitchak nakana is different. It lives in aquifers, groundwater habitats far more difficult to access. Such phreatic ecosystems are typically revealed only when wells are emptied for cleaning, making discoveries largely accidental.
India, Israel Sign MoU To Boost Fisheries & Aquaculture Cooperation
Source: Knnindia
New Delhi, Feb 28 India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture on 26 February 2026. Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, signed the agreement.
Focus on Technology and Sustainability
The MoU aims to strengthen India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector through technology-driven and sustainable practices, while promoting the Blue Economy and improving the livelihoods of coastal and fishing communities. It also provides for professional collaboration in setting up new Indo–Israel Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and technical support for establishing an oceanarium in India. The framework covers cooperation in advanced Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), water reuse, automation-based farming and data-driven management. Both sides will work on bio secure and climate-resilient farming models suited to water-scarce and climate-stressed regions, and on improving aquatic disease management through innovative and scientific approaches.
Mariculture, R&D and Capacity Building
The MoU expands cooperation in mariculture, including seaweed-based systems and Integrated Multi- Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), with seaweed used as a biofilter and alternative feed resource. It also promotes joint research and development, environmentally responsible fishing practices and technology- led marine conservation. Capacity building will include exchange programmes, training, exposure visits and expert interactions.
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