Anand, Feb 10: The 9th IDF Symposium on Sheep, Goat, Camel, and other Non-Bovine Milk, organized by the Indian National Committee of the International Dairy Federation (INC-IDF), commenced at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand on 9 February 2026 and will continue until 11 February 2026. The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Gilles Froment, President, IDF; Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman NDDB and Secretary, INC-IDF; Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India; Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India; Ms. Laurence Rycken, Director General, IDF; along with IDF Board Members, academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals from across the dairy sector.
Over 90 international and national delegates are participating in the symposium, which features seven technical sessions covering topics such as emerging markets, consumer trends, smallholder empowerment, farm management strategies, processing technologies, quality and innovation in non-bovine milk, biosecurity, disease management, and global standards. Posters and exhibits showcase innovations, technologies, and services related to non-bovine milk.
Mr. Gilles Froment highlighted the sustainable potential of goat, sheep, and camel milk in regions with harsh climates, emphasizing priorities such as environment, animal welfare, nutrition, food safety, health, and inclusivity. He stressed the importance of expanding non-bovine dairy through innovation, robust nutrition data, and adherence to global standards.
Dr. Meenesh Shah underlined India’s dairy journey from scarcity to self-sufficiency through Operation Flood and emphasized the growing significance of non-bovine milk for climate resilience, nutrition, and women’s empowerment. He highlighted NDDB initiatives including disease control programs, advanced breeding technologies, goat artificial insemination, and camel milk marketing through Amul’s Sarhad Dairy, calling for scale-up of such models.
Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa emphasized non-bovine milk’s nutrient-rich, climate-friendly production systems and advocated for science-led, cluster-based approaches with traceability to create resilient value chains.
Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara praised India’s efforts in promoting camel, goat, and sheep milk and highlighted successful models in Rajasthan and Kutch, encouraging further research and stronger value chains to unlock the sector’s potential.
Ms. Laurence Rycken acknowledged India’s leadership in inclusive, science-driven dairy development and underscored the role of non-bovine milk in supporting livelihoods, addressing climate change, and meeting shifting consumer expectations. She called for data-driven strategies to strengthen sustainability and connect global expertise.
The symposium serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation, reinforcing India’s pivotal role in advancing non-bovine milk production and establishing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive dairy value chains globally.