Savar: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today emphasized that with proper support and the application of accurate systems, local livestock breeds can be developed into world-class breeds. "To ensure the health of livestock, research on the quality and composition of animal feed must be intensified if necessary," she stated during the inauguration of a newly-constructed dormitory building at BCS Livestock Academy in Savar.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Farida Akhter highlighted the importance of training field-level officials to advance the livestock sector. She noted that the training in the new dormitory, which is set in a pleasant environment, will enhance the skills of livestock officers, thereby benefiting farmers nationwide. She acknowledged the role of upazila and district livestock officers and veterinary doctors in ensuring that sacrificial animals were healthy and strong this year.
The adviser expressed concerns over the environmental impact of industrial-based animal husbandry systems, warning that their continuation could harm the marginal livestock farming system. She stressed the need to explore and implement effective vaccination strategies within the current livestock farming system.
Farida Akhter urged the government to provide subsidies in the livestock sector akin to those in agriculture, suggesting that such support would directly benefit farmers. Discussions regarding this matter are ongoing at various government levels.
Additionally, the adviser announced an initiative by the Ministry of the Liberation War Affairs to establish a new directorate for the welfare of the wounded and martyred from the July mass uprising, with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock involved in this initiative. She called on livestock officials to play an effective role in fostering entrepreneurship not only among the families of martyrs and the injured from the July uprising but also among other youths.
During her visit, Farida Akhter also inspected various activities at the central livestock breeding and dairy farms, gathering detailed information about their current operations and activities. She also toured the central artificial breeding laboratory.
The event, chaired by Department of Livestock Services (DLS) director general Dr. M Abu Sufian, was attended by BCS Livestock Academy director Dr. AKM Humayun Kabir, DLS director Dr. Begum Shamsunnahar Ahammad, DLS director M Shahjahan Khan, LDDP project chief technical coordinator Dr. M Golam Rabbani, and officials from different agencies.