In a landmark initiative aimed at bridging the gap between veterinary education and the evolving demands of the animal husbandry sector, the Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA)/Poultry India, in collaboration with Huvepharma and co-hosted by the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, successfully organized a one-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conclave on “Dynamics of Veterinary Education Ecosystem to Meet Animal Husbandry Industrial Needs.” The conclave was held on 7th July 2025 in the scenic town of Lonavala and drew participation from leading academic heads, industry experts, and policymakers.
The conclave served as a dynamic platform to reimagine veterinary education in tune with India’s rapidly evolving livestock and poultry industries. It emphasized the need for interdisciplinary learning, entrepreneurial thinking, and practical exposure for students. The event enabled active dialogue among academia, regulatory authorities, and industry leaders to shape a responsive, skilled, and industry-ready veterinary workforce.
Key Participants and Addresses
The conclave brought together eminent personalities, including:
- Mr. Uday Singh Bayas, President, IPEMA/Poultry India
- Dr. Dinesh Bhosle, Vice President, Alltech Nutritional Alliance (ANA), India
- Dr. Sandip Ingle, Vice-President, Veterinary Council of India (VCI), New Delhi
- Dr. R. G. Bambal, Joint Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry & Secretary, VCI
- Mr. O. P. Singh, CEO, Huvepharma, Pune
The event commenced with a keynote address by Dr. Niteen Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MAFSU. He set the tone for the day by underlining the need to modernize curricula and deepen academia-industry engagement.
Poultry India’s Role and Upcoming 2025 Expo
Highlighting the impact of Poultry India, Mr. Uday Singh Bayas spoke about the success of the 16th Poultry India Expo (2024), which drew over 40,000 visitors and 400+ exhibitors from 50+ countries. He extended a warm invitation to the 17th Poultry India Expo, scheduled from 25th–28th November 2025 at Hitex, Hyderabad. A special Knowledge Day for academia will be held on 25th November at Novotel, Hitech City.
Mr. O. P. Singh, CEO of Huvepharma, reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting initiatives that foster strong industry-academia partnerships, essential for the sector’s sustainable growth.
As a gesture of appreciation, IPEMA/Poultry India presented commemorative mementos to all distinguished speakers and issued personalized invitations to the upcoming expo.
Key Panel Discussions
The event featured four insightful panel sessions, each exploring critical aspects of veterinary education and livestock development:
- Challenges, Problems, and Opportunities in the Poultry Sector
Moderators: Dr. Mahesh Patlapati and Dr. N. V. Kurkure
A high-impact session featuring experts like Dr. R. N. Chatterjee, Mr. Ranpal Dhanda, Dr. Ajay Deshpande, and Mr. B. S. Rana, focusing on the sector’s current challenges and emerging innovation opportunities.
- Optimizing Dairy Sector Performance for Tomorrow’s Needs
Moderators: Dr. B. N. Tripathi and Dr. Dinesh Bhosle
This session explored strategies to improve productivity, integrate technology, and ensure sustainability in India’s dairy sector.
- Reimagining Small Ruminants, Pig, and Allied Sectors for a Sustainable Future
Chair: Dr. Manish Kumar Chatli | Rapporteur: Dr. Waqar Khan
Discussions focused on innovations and policy support required to uplift underrepresented livestock sectors that are vital for nutritional security and rural livelihoods.
- Integrating Veterinary Educational Institutions with Industry Needs
Moderators: Dr. Niteen Patil and Dr. Shirish Upadhye
Panellists including Dr. K. S. Anil, Dr. Mandeep Sharma, Dr. P. K. Shukla, Mr. O. P. Singh, and senior VCI officials emphasized aligning veterinary education with market needs, public health, entrepreneurship, and cross-disciplinary innovation.
Key Takeaways and the Way Forward
A major outcome of the conclave was the call to revamp the outdated MSVE 2016 curriculum, which lacks integration with current technological and industrial trends. VCI officials announced that the proposed MSVE 2024 framework, currently under government review, would introduce a competency-based, flexible, and industry-integrated education model.
With India’s livestock economy contributing 30.23% to agricultural GVA and 5.5% to GDP, the demand for skilled veterinarians is critical. Currently, India has 67,784 registered veterinarians, far short of the estimated need of 1.1–1.2 lakh professionals—further underlining the urgency for educational reform.
Closing Remarks and Invitation
The conclave concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Dinesh Bhosle, who commended IPEMA/Poultry India and Huvepharma for steering this vital conversation. He also lauded MAFSU for its support in co-hosting the event.
All participants were encouraged to attend the 17th Poultry India Expo 2025, themed “One Nation, One Expo”. The event promises to be bigger and more impactful, featuring:
- 500+ exhibitors
- 50,000+ visitors
- 35,000 sq.m. of exhibit space
The expo will serve as a global stage for collaboration, innovation, and showcasing India’s rise as a leading force in the poultry industry.
