Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar said that the government is sincerely considering how to provide more incentives to the livestock sector.
She said that milk is not just a product at present, but it is a part of our culture. That is why our mothers say that my child should be fed with milk and rice.
The advisor said these things in his speech as the chief guest at a discussion meeting and seminar on the occasion of World Milk Day-2025 at the Krishibid Institution (KIB) in the capital last morning.
The advisor called for employment for the fighters of the July Mass Uprising in various sectors of the livestock sector. She said that the fighters of the July Mass Uprising were strong and capable, even a few days ago. We have to make arrangements for them to get employment so that they do not go out of our mainstream due to injuries.
She further said that, through a newspaper, we have come to know that every year, 118,000 tons of powdered milk is imported from abroad. And to meet this import cost, we have to spend Tk 4000 crore every year. We have to take initiatives so that in the future we do not have to import this kind of milk, and high-quality milk can be produced in Bangladesh. On the one hand, this will reduce imports, and on the other hand, our country`s farmers will benefit.
She questioned, whether the government can provide subsidies in the agricultural sector, why can`t it do the same for farmers?
She further said that our neighboring country produces buffalo milk on a large scale. Although buffalo milk is not very popular, people still have a demand for it. Besides, goat milk has medicinal properties. Therefore, the government will take initiatives so that Bangladesh can achieve self-reliance in milk production in the future.
Earlier in the morning, the advisor inaugurated the program by feeding school milk to primary school students at Rajdhani High School and participated in a rally centrally to mark the day.
The program was presided over by the Director General of the Department of Livestock, Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, and the Project Director of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project, Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin, delivered the welcome speech. "With the immense power of milk, let`s get excited together" was the main theme of this year`s World Milk Day, presented by the Director (Administration) of the Department of Livestock, Dr. Md. Boyzar Rahman. Professor Dr. Khaleda Islam of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Raihan Habib of Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Professor Dr. Ariful Islam of Bangladesh Agricultural University were present as discussants.
Farm representatives, senior government officials, and private officials were present at the time.
It is worth noting that this day is celebrated in Bangladesh to popularize milk and dairy products as a source of safe nutrition among all circles, increase public awareness of the sector`s development, attract investment, etc.
