INFAH National Seminar 2025-Focuses on Strengthening Animal Health through Public-Private Partnerships
The Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH) hosted its National Seminar 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, under the theme “Strengthening Animal Health and its Economics through Public-Private Partnership for Viksit Bharat” on March 20, 2025.
In the day-long event, over 100 delegates, including scientists, academicians, policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders, participated to deliberate on advancing veterinary health through Public Private Partnerships.
INAUGURAL SESSION
– Dr. Anup Kalra, Joint Secretary, INFAH, opened the session by highlighting the evolution of INFAH as a pivotal bridge between government, academia, and industry, and emphasized that collaborative models are crucial to realizing India’s Viksit Bharat goals.
– Dr. Shirish Nigam, President, INFAH, delivered the welcome address, reiterating that while business can drive progress 364 days a year, one day must be dedicated to industry introspection and united advocacy. He outlined INFAH’s commitment to policy reforms and presented key demands to the Ministry for regulatory clarity, faster product approvals, and technology enablement. He also acknowledged the support from current management committee comprising of Dr. Aman Syed (Vice President), Dr. Anup Kalra (Joint Secretary), Dr. Manoj Sood (Treasurer) as well as Executive members Dr. Vijay Makhija, Mr. Vijay Teng, Mr. Satish Pasrija, Dr. Arun Atrey, Mr. Gautam Chatterjee, Ms. Ashwini Deshpande, Dr. Vinayak Surve & Mr. Sushanta Dey.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
– Prof. Dr. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, served as the Chief Guest. He expressed his admiration for INFAH’s proactive role and emphasized that while laboratories are critical, outcomes must reach quickly, and that farmers and animals truly benefit. He called PPP models the “most successful approach” for rural transformation. Hon’ble minister also mentioned that animal husbandry is not a parallel economy; it should be considered a primary sector. The government aims to double farmers’ income, and livestock farming is crucial in achieving this goal.
– Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, IAS, Secretary, DAHD, delivered the Thematic Address, emphasizing a One Health approach and public-private convergence to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic threats, and animal welfare challenges. She shared how India is now 100% self-reliant in vaccine production for livestock sector. She even demonstrated recent studies which highlight the importance of deworming before vaccination to improve animal health.
She also highlighted the issue of mastitis and called for a nationwide program to address mastitis awareness and prevention. Madam Secretary acknowledged the critical role INFAH plays in shaping policies for the livestock sector and called for increased engagement between policymakers and industry stakeholders before formulating regulations.
– Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, highlighted the issue of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and shared how INFAH is helping by providing the data on the sale of Antimicrobials in animal health. He also reiterated the importance of government, industry, and research institutions working together to achieve self-reliance in veterinary medicine and improve animal health standards.
– Shri Abhay Mahajan, KVK, DRI, Chitrakoot, emphasized holistic rural development through ethnoveterinary practices, traditional knowledge, and youth empowerment. He mentioned the aim should be to expand the Chitrakoot model beyond MP & UP to other regions of the country.
– Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG (Animal Science), ICAR emphasized on the livestock sector’s contribution to the economy and India’s goal to be PPR and rabies-free by 2030. He encouraged the industry to align with global export standards and leverage the growing market for preventive animal health solutions. He encouraged all participants to shift mindset from “PPP” to “Partnership for Prosperity”.
– Dr. Gauri Shankar, Deputy Drugs Controller, CDSCO, shared CDSCO’s progress with digital platforms like Sugam and underscored the need for mutual trust and accountability in regulatory pathways to foster innovation.
– Dr. Hirofumi Kugita, Representative for Asia-Pacific, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), through his message highlighted international collaboration for disease surveillance and control. He emphasized aligning India’s veterinary health standards with global guidelines to improve trade access and animal welfare outcomes.
TECHNICAL SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Session 1: Topic of “Public-Private Partnerships in Animal Health & Nutrition”
– Chairperson: Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG (Animal Science), ICAR
– Dr. P. K. Shukla, President, Indian Poultry Science Association,
– Dr. Praveen Malik, CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd.
Keynotes of the Session:
– Identified key roadblocks in testing protocols and regulatory timelines and called poultry India’s “protein factory” and outlined innovations in feed efficiency, circular economy practices, and waste minimization to combat malnutrition. Advocated for better technology transfer, nutrition security, and disease surveillance.
Session 2: Topic of “Regulatory Framework for Animal Health Drugs & Biologicals”
– Chairperson: Dr. Praveen Malik, CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd
– Dr. Arun Atrey, Managing Committee, INFAH
– Dr. Gauri Shankar, Deputy Drug Controller, CDSCO
-Dr. M. Kalaivani, Senior Scientific Officer, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
– Dr. Nitin Bhatia, Member of INFAH Subcommittee
– Dr. D.J. Kalita, Member of INFAH Subcommittee
Key notes of the session:
– Discussed IPC’s initiative to draft vaccine monographs and supported waivers based on global benchmarking.
– The session stressed that a unified, efficient framework will de-risk innovation and fast-track animal health solutions.
Session 3: Topic of “Imports & Exports of Veterinary Products”
– Chairperson: Dr. Indrajeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, Bihar Veterinary University
– Dr. Manoj Sood, Treasurer, INFAH
– Dr. Gagan Garg, Deputy Commissioner (Trade), DAHD
– Dr. Vijay Makhija. Managing Committee, INFAH
– Dr. Shyam Vane, Member of INFAH Subcommittee
Key notes of the session:
– Outlined regulatory inconsistencies and called for standardized classifications of feed additives, medical devices, and diagnostics as well as single window clearance.
– Emphasized the need for policy predictability, indigenous manufacturing, and incentives for global veterinary product exports.
Session 4: Topic of “Ayurveda & its Role in Animal Health”
– Dr. Mohan ji Saxena, shared his wisdom and thoughts on health & ayurveda. He highlighted how our economy is going to be affected due to animal health. He appealed everyone to think of not just being healthy but Health Index. He also encouraged for scientific validation of Ayurveda for mainstream application in animal care and emphasized the importance of hygiene, immunity and nutrition in animal care.
Session 5: Topic of “Navigating the Intellectual Property & Trade Regime”
– Dr. Manisha Shridhar, Regional Advisor (WHO SEARO), delivered a compelling address tracing the history of IP—from the Paris and Berne Conventions to TRIPS. She emphasized India’s opportunity to lead global innovation by bridging traditional knowledge with patent systems, and the value of technology transfer via models like the Bayh-Dole.
Way Forward
A comprehensive report compiling all session discussions and outcomes will be submitted to the Hon’ble Minister and DAHD. This will serve as a roadmap for targeted policy actions and collaborative innovations in animal health.
