Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim has called upon the private sector to come forward to increase milk production.
The minister made the call while addressing as the chief guest at the celebration of World Dairy Day 2022 and Dairy Icon Celebration at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Department of Livestock.
"We have not achieved self-sufficiency in milk, but we have achieved self-sufficiency in fish, meat and eggs. Many educated people are now investing in the livestock sector. They are creating themselves as entrepreneurs. Development of livestock sector would not have been possible without private sector. The private sector needs to come forward to increase milk production," he said.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury was present as the special guest at the function presided over by Director General of the Department of Livestock Dr Manzoor Mohammad Shahzad. Robert D. Simpson, Bangladesh Representative of FAO and Christian Berger, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the World Bank were also present on the occasion. Welcoming remarks were made by the Director of Livestock and Dairy Development Project. Abdur Rahim. Dr. Mohd Golam Rabbani, Chief Technical Coordinator of the project presented the Dairy Icon Celebration. Besides, senior officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, teachers of different universities and dairy entrepreneurs were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that Bangabandhu had brought cattle from abroad to enrich the livestock sector.
"We have taken a lot of strategic steps to address the problems in the livestock sector. At one time sacrificial animals used to come from India and Myanmar. Considering the interests of farmers and producers in this sector, now we are not allowing animals to come to the country from abroad in any way,” he said.
He further said that the government has extended its hand of cooperation in the development of livestock sector. The government wants to provide tax rebates and other benefits to those who want to produce animal feed and fish feed. Prices of animal feed and other foods are rising due to some strategic problems. There are some stockbrokers and profiteers who are bad guys, they hide a lot of things themselves, they are less likely to be trapped and let out. In addition to the extra ingredients that have to be brought in from outside to make animal feed, many people keep it in warehouses and show artificial crisis.
There is no better food than milk in building a meritorious nation, the minister said that milk production in the country is gradually increasing. The trend of increasing milk production is very nice. The government is emphasizing on quality milk production. For this, the quality of food given to the animal in milk production has to be determined in a scientific way. We will not be able to reach the target only if the number of liters of milk increases. If there is no quality milk, there will be questions about the nutritional value of the food produced from milk.
He added that the Dairy Icon Award winners are getting state recognition. It is a matter of honor. This trend will continue and will be done on a large scale. We want to establish Bangladesh as an example in the world in the dairy sector.
The minister further added that powdered milk is imported in the country. We do not want to import powdered milk. Private entrepreneurs should come forward in this regard. If necessary, facilities will be provided for the establishment of powdered milk industry in the country. Milk multinational must be used as well. This sector needs to be enriched through the production of versatile products from milk and its versatile use.
Later, the Minister handed over the award to the Dairy Icon 2021 Award winning farmers and entrepreneurs.
