October 18, 2023

     

Bangladesh embarks on modernisation to push milk and meat production

 

 

Bangladesh has undertaken a project to boost milk and meat production through the modernisation of the cattle breeding systems in all eight divisions of the country to meet the demand.

 

Bangladesh's Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has submitted a development project proposal (DPP) titled "Proven Bull Creation to Increase Milk and Meat Production" for approval, an official said.

 

The Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) will implement the project by June 2028, the official said.

 

AKM Fazlul Haque, Member (Secretary) of the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the planning commission (under the executive committee of the National Economic Council, or ECNEC), said that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock had sent a proposal to the commission. The commission will approve the project after reviewing it, he added.

 

The project aims to use proven bulls to increase and sustain cow productivity and conservation as well as develop genetic characteristics of indigenous breeds, stimulate skill development of farmers and employ departmental manpower to increase milk production.

 

Officials of the planning commission said that the project would help to meet Bangladesh's food security and improve living standards.

 

Additionally, the National Livestock Development Policy-2007 has set the agenda of selecting animals with high breeding value through proper genetic evaluation in order to produce superior breeding bulls and proliferate them across Bangladesh, the officials said..

 

Based on the project's proposal, several hybrid cows in rural environments can produce 25-30 litres of milk per day.

 

Under the project, a total of 1,200 bull calves, including Desi-Friesian and Desi-Sahiwal crossbred, Red Chattogram, Pabna, Munshiganj and North Bengal Gray breeds, will be collected from all upazilas based on the average milk production of the mother.

 

Furthermore, 34,375 farmers will receive training under the project. Out of this number, 7,500 high productive cow owners will be provided 'elite cow' incentives.

 

- Bangladesh Post