Govt to train up farmers on buffalo milk products: Adviser

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said on Wednesday that the buffalo is an important resource of the country that can play a vital role in boosting country's economy, reports BSS.

She said the government would take necessary steps to train up the farmers to produce yogurt, cheese and other products from the buffalo milk.

The adviser said this while addressing a scientific conference arranged by Bangladesh Buffalo Association at the Buffalo Breeding and Development Farm at Savar as the chief guest.

The adviser said that improper use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture makes the grasses inedible for cows, goats and buffaloes.

For increasing food production, buffalo pastures are decreasing, which is not desirable at all, she said and emphasised on formulating specific policies on the use of pesticides and adopting integrated plans for food production.

Farida Akhter said that buffaloes have not been given a proper place in the list of livestock and the decrease in the number of buffaloes in the country is a matter of concern.

Chaired by the president of Bangladesh Buffalo Association Prof Dr Md Omar Farooq, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry of Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Dr Md Ruhul Amin joined the conference as guest of honour.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Nilufa Akhtar, Director General of the Department of Livestock Dr Abu Sufian and Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr Shakila Faruk, were present as special guests.

Principal Scientific Officer at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr Gautam Kumar Deb delivered welcome speech.

The conference was attended by scientists, high-ranking government and private officials, representatives of farmers and representatives of buffalo association.

Later, the advisor inaugurated the newly built Central Artificial Reproduction Laboratory at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm premises there. After the inauguration, she visited the laboratory. DG of Department of Livestock Services Dr Abu Sufian, Director of the Central Artificial Reproduction Centre Shahzaman Khan and other concerned officials were present.