For an efficient dairy sector
Monday, 14 September 2009
Md Selim Bhuiyan
ACCORDING to an estimate, 41 thousand tons of powdered milk, worth $150 million, was imported by Bangladesh in fiscal 2007-08. By boosting the domestic dairy industry, such drainage of resource could be avoided.
Even in the mid nineties, Bangladesh had to import much less of powdered milk. From the import of powdered milk worth about Taka 2.2 billion in 1996 it has gone up to Tk 10.5 billion now, an increase by five times in twelve years. The import growth was caused by insufficient domestic production and growing demand.
The soaring imports points to gross neglect of a sector which can ensure nutrition of the nation. In the first half of the nineties the government policy systematically encouraged the domestic dairies industry. Sagging interest after this period gradually turned Bangladesh into a paradise for the import of powdered milk. It nourished the importers and not the consumers.
Bangladesh with its agrarian characteristics has the advantage of producing ample milk and milk products. Of course, planned efforts are necessary to develop the dairy industry.
A dairy industry would mean import substitution and improved balance of payments. The national nutrition picture would change positively with the people consuming fresh milk. Contaminated imported powdered milk gave families with kids an extra worry.
The dairy industry would also create employment opportunities across the countryside. It would also foster the growth of the tanneries and leather industries. Import and smuggling cows from across the border would stop or drastically decline. It would boost domestic output and consumption of animal protein. Cow horns and bones would support more and more cottage industries making button, combs and similar products. Other spin-offs would include bio-gas produced from cow-dung.
The obvious first step for all this would be to encourage the rural people to rear cows. Institutional credit, currently inadequate for the sector could be expanded through the Krishi Bank and other institutions, under a clear government policy. Credit availability would encourage raising dairy cattle across the countryside.
The government should develop the research activities for breeding healthier cow species. The marginal dairy producers would never have the resources to expand their output. But the government should invest in such projects. Better breeds of cow could be sold to private sector diaries.
Side by side, the government has to expand its veterinary service throughout the country to support the growing dairy enterprise. The veterinary service is in a shocking state. The ratio of veterinary surgeons to farm animals, estimated at 1: 1.7 million a few years back needs to be increased. Only 5.0 or 10 per cent of farm animals receive routine vaccination, according to a recent estimate. Both the situations call for a drastic improvement.
ACCORDING to an estimate, 41 thousand tons of powdered milk, worth $150 million, was imported by Bangladesh in fiscal 2007-08. By boosting the domestic dairy industry, such drainage of resource could be avoided.
Even in the mid nineties, Bangladesh had to import much less of powdered milk. From the import of powdered milk worth about Taka 2.2 billion in 1996 it has gone up to Tk 10.5 billion now, an increase by five times in twelve years. The import growth was caused by insufficient domestic production and growing demand.
The soaring imports points to gross neglect of a sector which can ensure nutrition of the nation. In the first half of the nineties the government policy systematically encouraged the domestic dairies industry. Sagging interest after this period gradually turned Bangladesh into a paradise for the import of powdered milk. It nourished the importers and not the consumers.
Bangladesh with its agrarian characteristics has the advantage of producing ample milk and milk products. Of course, planned efforts are necessary to develop the dairy industry.
A dairy industry would mean import substitution and improved balance of payments. The national nutrition picture would change positively with the people consuming fresh milk. Contaminated imported powdered milk gave families with kids an extra worry.
The dairy industry would also create employment opportunities across the countryside. It would also foster the growth of the tanneries and leather industries. Import and smuggling cows from across the border would stop or drastically decline. It would boost domestic output and consumption of animal protein. Cow horns and bones would support more and more cottage industries making button, combs and similar products. Other spin-offs would include bio-gas produced from cow-dung.
The obvious first step for all this would be to encourage the rural people to rear cows. Institutional credit, currently inadequate for the sector could be expanded through the Krishi Bank and other institutions, under a clear government policy. Credit availability would encourage raising dairy cattle across the countryside.
The government should develop the research activities for breeding healthier cow species. The marginal dairy producers would never have the resources to expand their output. But the government should invest in such projects. Better breeds of cow could be sold to private sector diaries.
Side by side, the government has to expand its veterinary service throughout the country to support the growing dairy enterprise. The veterinary service is in a shocking state. The ratio of veterinary surgeons to farm animals, estimated at 1: 1.7 million a few years back needs to be increased. Only 5.0 or 10 per cent of farm animals receive routine vaccination, according to a recent estimate. Both the situations call for a drastic improvement.