Dairy and food conclave in Kozhikode from January 8

Over 2,000 delegates, including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and dairy farmers, will take part in the three-day Southern Dairy and Food Conclave (SDFC 2026), an event organised by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) South Zone Chapter in partnership with Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and the Department of Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Institutions, in Kozhikode beginning Thursday.

The conclave will be held 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 is the main sponsor of the conclave. Leading dairy companies including Amul, Nandini, Aavin, Sangham Dairy, Dodla Dairy, Heritage Foods Limited, and Creamline Dairy Products Limited, along with food manufacturers and multinational technology firms, will participate.

National Dairy Development Board Chairman Meenesh C. Shah, Indian Dairy Association president Sudhir Kumar Singh, and senior IDA office-bearers will attend the closing ceremony on January 10.

Technical sessions and seminars involving institutions such as 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) have been scheduled. The organisers will also hold exhibitions on dairy equipment, traditional industries, and agricultural products. Entry is free.