Key Update

The Southern Dairy and Food Conclave (SDFC) 2026 is set to attract more than 2,000 delegates, including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and dairy farmers, to Kozhikode for a three-day conclave commencing on Thursday.

Hosted at Calicut Trade Centre from January 8 to 10

Organised by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) South Zone Chapter in association with Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and the Department of Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institutions, the event will take place at Varghese Kurien Nagar, Calicut Trade Centre, from January 8 to 10.

Ministers for Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry from southern States—J. Chinchu Rani (Kerala), T.T. Mano Thangaraj (Tamil Nadu), K. Venkatesh (Karnataka), Kinjarapu Atchannaidu (Andhra Pradesh), Vakiti Srihari (Telangana), and C. Djeacoumar (Puducherry)—will jointly inaugurate the conclave on January 9 at 10.30 a.m.

Milma Leads Sponsorship; Major Dairy Brands to Participate

Milma is the principal sponsor of the conclave. Leading dairy companies such as Amul, Nandini, Aavin, Sangham Dairy, Dodla Dairy, Heritage Foods Limited, and Creamline Dairy Products Limited, along with food manufacturers and multinational technology firms, will be participating.

Focus on Policy, Technology, and Food Safety

The conclave will feature technical sessions and seminars involving key institutions, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). In addition to discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, the organisers will host exhibitions showcasing dairy equipment, traditional industries, and agricultural products. Entry to the conclave is free, making it accessible to all stakeholders.

Closing Ceremony on January 10

The conclave will conclude on January 10, with National Dairy Development Board Chairman Meenesh C. Shah, Indian Dairy Association President Sudhir Kumar Singh, and senior IDA office-bearers scheduled to attend the closing ceremony.

Source: The Hindu