The government wants Bangladesh to increase domestic milk production to meet rising demand and reduce dependence on imports, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Monday while outlining plans to expand the dairy sector and eventually export dairy products.
Speaking at a World Milk Day 2026 discussion at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka, the state minister said boosting dairy production and increasing women’s participation in the sector would strengthen economic growth and support rural livelihoods, according to a press release.
The event was organised to mark World Milk Day under the theme “Women Dairy Farmers: The Journey of Development”.
“Increasing the participation of women entrepreneurs will accelerate the country’s economic growth,” Tuku said.
“When women are empowered, the nation’s economy becomes stronger. The active participation of women in various sectors, including dairy farming, is a highly promising sign for our society.”
The state minister said women’s contributions to dairy farming were significant and called for expanded training and support programmes to improve their skills.
He also stressed the need to scale up government assistance based on the requirements of local farmers, saying successful entrepreneurs contribute directly to the national economy.
“If everyone fulfils their respective duties properly, we can drive the country forward and build a prosperous Bangladesh,” he said, urging stakeholders in the livestock sector to work with greater responsibility.
Earlier, Tuku distributed milk among underprivileged people in front of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) headquarters as part of the World Milk Day programme organised by the Veterinary Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (VAB).
VAB Acting President Abdur Rahim and General Secretary Kabir Uddin Ahmed attended the distribution programme.
The state minister also distributed milk among madrasa orphans on the DLS premises before joining a rally that began at the department’s compound, passed through the Khamarbari intersection and ended at the KIB complex.
The discussion was chaired by Department of Livestock Services Director General Md Shahzaman Khan.
Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Additional Secretary Md Imam Uddin Kabir attended as special guest.
Department of Livestock Services Director Md Boyzar Rahman presented the keynote paper, while Director Begum Shamsunnahar Ahmed delivered the welcome address.
Later in the afternoon, Tuku paid a surprise visit to the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) headquarters in Karwan Bazar, where he inspected activities of different departments and exchanged views with officials and staff.
He urged BFDC officials to perform their duties with honesty, dedication and responsibility to make the corporation’s operations more effective.
“The public has high expectations from the current government. If government officials perform their duties with sincerity and professionalism, the government will be better equipped to meet those expectations,” he said.
