Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar stated that Bangladesh needs to reduce foreign technology and import dependence in the dairy sector.
She highlighted the need to reduce the country's reliance on imports to bridge the deficit in milk production and to minimise dependency on foreign technology.
The adviser made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Challenges, Prospects, and Actions for the Country’s Dairy Sector" organised by the Fisheries and Livestock Journalists’ Forum (FLJF) at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club on Monday (11 November).
The livestock adviser emphasised that a substantial portion of the country’s protein supply originates from the fisheries and livestock sectors.
"If we do not prioritise development in these areas, survival will become increasingly difficult. Specifically, to reduce the deficit in milk production, we must move away from dependency on imports. Continued reliance on imports threatens the potential for domestic milk production from cattle and goats. While cow's milk is typically prioritised, buffalo milk presents a viable alternative to meet demand, with numerous dairy products that can be derived from it," she said.
Comparing productivity, Farida Akhtar acknowledged that local cattle produce less milk than foreign breeds.
However, she suggested that, instead of feeding cattle with imported feed that raises production costs, productivity could be increased by cultivating grass and expanding grazing lands.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of integrating weed control in agriculture to prevent the loss of fodder.
Farida Akhtar further proposed reducing dependency on major companies and facilitating the collection of milk from small-scale farmers for distribution in urban areas.
"Many children in Bangladesh suffer from malnutrition. Plans are underway to introduce eggs alongside milk as part of children's midday meals," she noted.
The seminar, presided over by FLJF President MA Jalil Munna Rayhan, also featured contributions from ATM Mostofa Kamal, acting secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, along with various small and medium-scale farmers.