Zamira brought together its South Asia team, global leadership and key partners for its Annual Kick-Off Meeting, held from 28–30 July 2026 at Aamby Valley, Lonavala. Under the theme “One Team, One Goal,” the three-day event provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year, align priorities for FY27 and strengthen the capabilities and partnerships supporting Zamira’s continued growth across South Asia.

Zamira CEO Stewart Cairns travelled from Australia to open the meeting, reviewing the key drivers behind the previous year’s performance and outlining areas of focus for the year ahead.

“South Asia plays a vital role in Zamira’s global success. The dedication of our local team, combined with the strength of our partnerships, continues to set the standard for what ‘One Team, One Goal’ truly means,” Mr Cairns said.

Dr Shaveta Sood, Director South Asia, then presented the FY27 goals and priorities, setting the direction for the team for the coming year.

The program also focused strongly on the commercial, marketing and technical capabilities required to support these objectives. Dr Shailaja Rajyam, Product and Marketing Manager, presented Zamira’s marketing and new product plans, including the marketing communications that will support upcoming product introductions.

Investment in people and capability development was another key focus of the meeting. Agribusiness specialist David Faulkner and Zamira Global Trainer Jane Enciso delivered an advanced sales training program, providing the team with practical tools and strategies to strengthen customer engagement and sales performance.

A dedicated leadership development program for people managers also explored the skills and behaviours required to develop future-ready sales leaders and support the continued growth of Zamira’s people from within the organisation.

Technical learning formed an important part of the program, with Dr Sujit Kulkarni of Bextral, Netherlands, presenting on the technical aspects of ZamiBoost Immune Defence Liquid. The session provided the team with further technical insights to support informed discussions with customers.

The Kick-Off concluded on 30 July with Zamira’s Channel Partners Forum, recognising the important contribution of the distribution and strategic partners who support the company across the region. Partners received commemorative mementos bearing the message “Zamira Celebrating 16 Years of Excellence” in recognition of their loyalty and continued partnership.
The evening also celebrated the achievements of the Zamira South Asia team, with awards recognising outstanding contributions across both sales and support functions. The awards reflected the teamwork, commitment and shared purpose at the heart of this year’s theme.

Closing the event, Dr Shaveta Sood acknowledged the contribution of Zamira’s people and partners to the company’s continued progress in South Asia.

With its people, partners and priorities aligned for FY27, the Annual Kick-Off reinforced the message at the centre of Zamira’s plans for the year ahead: One Team, One Goal.

Moisture Optimization and Mold Control:
An Integrated Approach to Improving Feed Quality,
Shelf Life, and Feed Mill Profitability in Tropical Climates

Dr. Maloshrie Bora, Senior Program Manager – Feed Safety, Trouw Nutrition South Asia

Across India and South Asia, feed manufacturers today face a common challenge: producing safe, stable, high-quality feed while navigating increasingly variable climate conditions, fluctuating raw material quality, rising production costs, and greater demands for feed efficiency.

Among the many factors that influence feed quality, moisture management remains one of the most underestimated. Yet moisture directly impacts pellet quality, nutrient preservation, feed hygiene, shelf life, production throughput, and overall profitability. Improper moisture management can result in shrinkage, spoilage, mold proliferation, nutrient losses, increased fines, and reduced mill efficiency. Conversely, optimized moisture control can generate significant economic returns while improving feed quality throughout the supply chain.

The Hidden Economics of Moisture Loss
During feed manufacturing, moisture is lost at several stages, including grinding, conditioning, pelleting, cooling, storage, and transportation. Industry observations indicate that feed mills can lose between 0.5% and 1.5% moisture during production, resulting in direct shrinkage and reduced profitability. A feed mill producing 500 tonnes per day can lose approximately 5 tonnes of saleable product for every 1% moisture reduction. In an industry where margins are constantly under pressure, minimizing process losses represents a substantial opportunity for value creation.

Why Adding Water Alone Does Not Solve the Problem
A common industry practice for compensating moisture losses is the addition of water during feed processing. While this may appear straightforward, water possesses high surface tension and does not distribute uniformly throughout the feed matrix. Instead, free moisture often remains on the surface of feed particles, increasing water activity and creating favourable conditions for microbial growth. The challenge for the modern feed industry is therefore not simply increasing moisture content, but ensuring moisture is effectively distributed and retained throughout the feed while maintaining microbial stability.

Mold Growth: A Feed Quality and Profitability Threat
Molds are among the most significant biological threats to feed quality. Beyond visible spoilage, molds consume valuable nutrients, reduce energy content, affect feed palatability, shorten storage life, and create conditions favourable for mycotoxin production. The economic implications can be significant. Raw materials often constitute up to 80% of total feed production costs. Any reduction in nutritional value, shelf life, or feed volume directly impacts both manufacturers and producers downstream.

Emerging Scientific Approaches to Mold Inhibition
Advances in feed preservation technology have moved beyond conventional organic acid applications. Modern solutions increasingly combine multiple modes of action to optimize efficacy under practical feed manufacturing conditions. These technologies typically integrate:
Organic acids
– Buffered acid systems
– Moisture management agents
– Surfactants and emulsifiers
– Synergistic bioactive compounds
Such approaches improve moisture distribution, enhance contact between active ingredients and microbial cells, and prolong preservation effectiveness throughout storage. This scientific evolution reflects the industry’s transition from simple preservation strategies toward integrated moisture and microbial management systems.

Commercial Validation: Integrating Moisture and Feed Hygiene
Research and commercial evaluations have demonstrated that moisture management and mold control must work together. In one reported study, the addition of plain water alone reduced feed shelf life by approximately 33%. However, when moisture was combined with an integrated mold inhibition program, shelf life improved compared to untreated feed while preserving feed quality and stability. Additional commercial applications have shown benefits including:
– Improved feed mill throughput
– Enhanced pellet durability
– Reduced reprocessed fines
– Better moisture retention
– Improved production efficiency
– Greater feed stability during storage
These findings highlight that effective moisture optimization depends on simultaneously managing microbial risks

A Modern Approach for South Asia
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by feed manufacturers in tropical climates, Trouw Nutrition has developed integrated solutions specifically designed to optimize moisture management and feed hygiene.

Among these solutions is the Fylax® portfolio, which combines organic acid technology, moisture management agents, surfactants, and the proprietary ActiProp® technology platform. The objective is to improve moisture distribution, enhance mold inhibition, preserve nutrient value, and support feed mill efficiency within a single integrated program. ActiProp® technology works by increasing mold cell wall permeability and improving access of active ingredients to microbial targets, resulting in enhanced preservation performance compared with conventional approaches. At the same time, moisture-management components facilitate more uniform distribution of moisture within the feed matrix, helping improve operational efficiency and shelf-life outcomes.

In today’s feed industry, moisture management can no longer be viewed simply as a processing parameter—it is a critical driver of feed quality, feed safety, and profitability. As feed manufacturers across India and South Asia face increasing challenges from humidity, raw material variability, and shelf-life pressures, an integrated approach that combines moisture optimization with effective mold control is becoming essential. By preserving nutrient value, reducing shrinkage, improving pellet quality, and enhancing microbial stability, modern feed hygiene solutions can help mills achieve greater operational efficiency while delivering safer, more consistent feed to livestock producers. Ultimately, successful feed preservation is not just about preventing spoilage—it is about maximizing value throughout the feed-to-food chain.

Bengaluru, 18^th Oct 2024 – NUQO Animal Nutrition India Pvt. Ltd., a leader in innovative animal nutrition solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of Reena Rani as Head of Marketing, South Asia. In this role, Reena will oversee all marketing functions and will lead strategies & key initiatives of NUQO in the South Asia region and will be driving growth and engagement across key markets.

Reena brings over 12 years of extensive experience in marketing. Campaigns, pricing strategy, digital marketing, content creation, social media strategy, branding, marketing communication, and business analytics are her core strengths. Her deep expertise spans across top industry players such as Cargill and Novus, where she developed and implemented marketing programs that delivered measurable success.

With a strong academic background, Reena holds a master’s degree in industrial chemistry and an advanced Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIMK). Her blend of technical knowledge and strategic marketing insights makes her a valuable addition to NUQO India’s leadership team.

Ewenn Helary, CEO
NUQO Feed Additives

“We are thrilled to have Reena join us at NUQO. Her proven ability to lead and execute innovative marketing strategies will be instrumental in expanding our presence in South Asia,” said Ewenn Helary, CEO at NUQO Feed Additives. “We are confident that Reena’s leadership will bring fresh perspectives and help elevate our brand in the region.”

Neeraj Kumar Srivastava
Managing Director, South Asia
NUQO Feed Additives

“We are delighted to welcome Reena to the NUQO team. Her deep understanding of the South Asia market and her exceptional track record in marketing make her the perfect fit to lead our efforts in this important region. Reena’s leadership will help us strengthen our marketing capabilities and further solidify NUQO’s position as a leader in animal nutrition solutions. We look forward to the innovative strategies she will bring to the table,” said Neeraj Kumar Srivastava – Managing Director, South Asia.

Stephanie Ladirat, Technology Director
NUQO Feed Additives

“We are thrilled to welcome Reena to the NUQO team. She brings a unique blend of technical expertise and sharp strategic marketing insight,” said Stephanie Ladirat, Technology Director at NUQO Feed Additives. “Her skills and vision will be key assets as we drive growth and innovation in South Asia market. We are looking forward to collaborating with her and see her talents and ideas flourish”

Reena’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for NUQO as the company continues to expand its footprint in the global animal nutrition market. Her role will be crucial in driving customer engagement and market penetration, further positioning NUQO as a trusted provider of natural, sustainable animal nutrition solutions.

About NUQO Feed Additives
NUQO© is a pioneer in combining phytogenics & phycogenics with a unique and cutting-edge micro- encapsulation technology that preserves efficacy and ensures optimal release of active ingredients.

Based on this expertise, NUQO© promotes various solutions that help professionals to better address challenges related to performance, health or welfare of animals.

For more information, please contact: info@nuqo.eu

AB Vista, a leading global supplier of innovative feed ingredients and technical services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Atmaram Yadav as the new General Manager of South Asia. This strategic appointment is set to mark a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth in the region.

Mr. Atmaram Yadav brings a wealth of experience to his new role, with an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the poultry industry. Over the past 14 years, Mr. Yadav has been an integral part of AB Vista, where his leadership and expertise have played a pivotal role in driving the company’s success.

Throughout his tenure at AB Vista, Mr. Yadav has demonstrated exceptional acumen in market development, customer relations, and strategic planning. His deep understanding of the poultry industry, coupled with his innovative approach, has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint and enhancing its market position. His contributions have not only strengthened AB Vista’s presence in the industry but have also paved the way for innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the market.

In his new role as General Manager of South Asia, Mr. Yadav will oversee the operations and strategic initiatives in the region, focusing on driving growth, enhancing customer engagement, and fostering innovation. His extensive experience and proven track record make him ideally suited to lead AB Vista into a new chapter of success.

“I am honoured to take on this new role and lead the South Asia region for AB Vista,” said Mr Atmaram Yadav. “I look forward to working closely with our talented team and valued partners to continue our journey of growth and innovation. Together, we will build on our achievements and strive to deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Dieter Suida, Global Commercial Director of AB Vista, expressed his confidence in Mr. Yadav’s appointment, stating, “Atmaram’s extensive industry experience and deep knowledge of our business make him the perfect fit for this role. His leadership will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success and strengthen our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to the poultry industry in South Asia.”

Under Mr. Yadav’s leadership, AB Vista is poised to further consolidate its position as a market leader in the region, driving forward with renewed energy and a clear vision for the future.