State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, has directed law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local administration, to maintain strict vigilance at the borders to prevent the illegal entry of cattle from neighbouring countries.
The state minister issued these directives while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Sustainable Livestock Development: Modern Farm Management, Market Linkage and Value Chain” held at the Momo Inn Convention Centre in Bogura on Sunday.
The event was organised by the Livestock and Dairy Development Project.
Minister Tuku emphasised that the government is taking all necessary measures to protect the interests of local farmers and to ensure the sustainability of the domestic production system.
He highlighted that Bangladesh has reached a position of self-sufficiency in meeting the demand for sacrificial animals.
“There are currently over 1.23 crore livestock animals in the country, which represents a surplus of approximately 22 lakh animals compared to the potential demand,” the minister stated, adding that there is no need to import cattle from neighbouring countries to meet the requirements of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.
He further outlined the government’s vision to transform the livestock sector into a future export-oriented industry. This involves strengthening the sector through modern farm management, safe production practices, enhanced animal healthcare, and robust market linkages to increase competitiveness.
He noted that the government aims to ensure a balanced market where farmers receive fair prices for their livestock while general consumers can purchase sacrificial animals at affordable rates. To encourage productivity and profitability, the government is implementing various programmes to reduce production costs, providing farmers with access to agricultural cards, incentives, and subsidies.
Calling for a collective effort, the state minister urged the government, farmers, entrepreneurs, and the general public to work together and prioritise national interests for the country’s progress and the welfare of its citizens.
Following the seminar, the state minister inaugurated the District Slaughterhouse and the newly constructed building of the District Livestock Office.
The seminar was presided over by Md Shahzaman Khan, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. Special guests in attendance included Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, Member of Parliament for Bogura-6, and Md Delwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The event saw participation from government officials, researchers, and various stakeholders who discussed enhancing farmer capacity and developing the value chain from production to marketing to ensure safe animal-based food production.
