Staff Reporter :
Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, on Saturday emphasized the need to formulate a national policy to determine a fair price for milk in order to ensure the sustainable development of the livestock and dairy sector.
The Adviser said, “Farmers are working very hard to rear cattle, yet they are not receiving fair prices. At the same time, the cost of cattle feed has also increased. To sustainably resolve these issues, it is essential to fix fair prices and take steps to reduce expenses.”
She made these remarks this afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at a gathering and exchange meeting with smallholder farmers at the Potajia Dairy Producer Group (PG) under the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) in Potajia village, Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj district.
Commending Sirajganj district’s significant contribution to milk production, the Adviser said, “As a single district, the amount of milk produced in Sirajganj is highly commendable. This has only been possible due to the sincere efforts of the farmers in this region.” She also announced that initiatives would be taken to set up milk collection centers (chilling centers) in Sirajganj to facilitate easier milk storage and marketing for the farmers.
To reduce feeding costs, she stressed the importance of using grass-based feed for cattle and noted that increasing grass cultivation could significantly lower farmers’ expenses. Referring to efforts to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle, she mentioned that vaccination programs have been launched in Sirajganj, as in four other districts. This initiative will help protect farmers from losses due to the disease and boost production.
The event was presided over by Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nazrul Islam. Special guests included Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director Begum Shamsunnahar Ahmed, and LDDP Project Director Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers were Md. Abdul Khaleq Fakir, Md. Abdul Matin, Zakaria Jihad (Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement), and Farzana Mimi. The welcome address was given by Sirajganj District Livestock Officer Dr. A.K.M. Anwarul Haque. Livestock farmers and other stakeholders also attended the meeting.
Earlier, the Adviser participated in an exchange meeting with officials from various levels of the Department of Livestock in Pabna district. Present at the event were Director General Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director Begum Shamsunnahar Ahmed, Rajshahi Divisional Director Dr. Ananda Kumar Adhikari, Pabna District Livestock Officer Dr. A.K.S.M. Musharraf Hossain, District Training Officer Dr. Krishnamohan Halder, and Upazila Livestock Officers from different areas.
In the evening, the Adviser visited the Baghabari Ghat Dairy Factory. During the visit, the factory’s Deputy General Manager (Factory) Dr. Saidul Islam and Deputy General Manager (Cooperative) Amiya Kumar Mondal, along with other relevant officials and employees, were present.
Additionally, the Adviser visited Bengal Meat’s red meat processing plant, slaughterhouse, fish processing factory, and biogas plant in Kashinathpur, Santhia upazila.
