CLFMA of India has elected Sumit Sureka, Managing Director of Shivshakti Agro India Pvt. Ltd. and Amrit Breeder Farms Pvt. Ltd., and Director of Impressico Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd., as its Chairman for the 2026–2028 term. Announced in Mumbai on October 29, 2026, the appointment places an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in animal feed and poultry at the helm of the association representing India’s livestock feed and allied sectors.
Sureka brings experience spanning poultry, dairy, aquaculture and piggery feed, poultry breeding, hatcheries, broiler integration, business management and finance. His long-standing association with CLFMA includes around 10 years as a Managing Committee Member, more than eight years as an office-bearer and six years as Deputy Chairman. He is also Vice President of the West Bengal Poultry Federation and an alumnus of London Business School and Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi.
Feed Raw Material Availability Tops Industry Priorities
One of the most pressing issues identified for the 2026–2028 term is the availability and affordability of maize and soybean, two important raw materials used in animal feed. Supply uncertainty and price volatility can increase production costs for poultry, dairy and aquaculture businesses, placing pressure on the wider livestock value chain.
CLFMA’s new leadership intends to promote long-term solutions rather than relying solely on short-term responses to market disruptions. The association plans to encourage collective industry action, improved productivity, stronger supply-chain infrastructure and constructive engagement with government authorities to support reliable access to maize and soybean at competitive prices.
For the dairy sector, feed costs are a significant factor in milk production economics. Measures that improve the availability and cost-efficiency of feed ingredients could help livestock farmers and dairy businesses manage input expenses, although outcomes will depend on supply conditions, policy decisions and implementation.
Technology and Knowledge-Sharing to Support Productivity
Technology adoption is another priority for the new leadership. Predictive technologies and other productivity-enhancing tools are becoming increasingly relevant to feed manufacturing and animal agriculture. CLFMA intends to identify useful expertise and technologies available within its membership and facilitate knowledge-sharing across the industry.
The association also plans to expand its membership across India and across livestock-related segments. Broader participation could help bring more businesses and stakeholders into discussions on shared challenges, technical developments and policy priorities.
Another proposed initiative is to raise awareness of career and entrepreneurial opportunities in the animal food industry among higher educational institutions. The effort is intended to highlight pathways for employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship in a sector that connects agriculture, nutrition, manufacturing and rural livelihoods.
Vision 2040: Positioning Animal Food as “Most Economic Protein”
CLFMA’s proposed long-term agenda includes developing a team to plan and work towards Vision 2040 for Animal Food, framed around the concept of “Most Economic Protein.” The initiative is intended to focus attention on the animal food industry’s role in making protein production economically viable while supporting India’s nutritional needs.
The broader agenda covers poultry, dairy, aquaculture, feed manufacturing and allied industries. Coordination across these segments will be important as the industry addresses raw material availability, production efficiency, animal nutrition and the need for competitive, responsible growth.
Commenting on his appointment, Sureka said the livestock sector plays an important role in India’s nutritional security, farmers’ livelihoods and economic development. He highlighted the need for sustained collaboration between industry and policymakers to address feed raw material availability, input-cost volatility, animal nutrition and production efficiency. He also expressed his intention to strengthen stakeholder engagement and support innovation and competitiveness across the animal agriculture value chain.
New Leadership Team for 2026–2028
The association’s office-bearers will represent several key segments of the livestock industry, with responsibilities covering poultry, dairy, aquaculture and other allied areas.
The elected team includes Abhay Parnekar as Deputy Chairman – Poultry; Dony George as Deputy Chairman – Dairy; Ramakanta V Akula as Deputy Chairman – Aquaculture; and Ram Kutty as Deputy Chairman – Others. Abhay Shah has been elected Honorary Secretary, while Nissar Ahmed will serve as Treasurer. Divya Kumar Gulati of Nurture Technology Pvt. Ltd. will continue to be recognised as Immediate Past Chairman.
CLFMA also acknowledged Gulati’s contribution to strengthening the association’s industry representation, policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement during his tenure.
CLFMA’s Role in India’s Livestock Industry
Founded in June 1967, CLFMA of India represents more than 250 members across feed manufacturing, poultry, dairy, aquaculture, animal nutrition and veterinary services. It works with government bodies, livestock farmers, academic institutions and research organisations on issues affecting the development of the sector.
Under Sureka’s chairmanship, the association’s priorities will focus on addressing feed supply challenges, encouraging technology adoption, widening industry participation and advancing a long-term vision for animal food. Progress on these objectives could influence the operating environment for feed producers, dairy businesses and other livestock enterprises, particularly where raw material costs and production efficiency remain central concerns.
The 2026–2028 term will therefore place emphasis on collaboration between industry and government, alongside knowledge-sharing and policy engagement, to support the livestock sector’s contribution to India’s nutritional security and rural economy.
