Dhaka:State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has called on scientists and researchers to ensure that all livestock vaccines are produced domestically to fulfill the country's entire demand and decrease reliance on imports.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister emphasized that achieving self-sufficiency in livestock vaccine production would conserve foreign exchange and bolster the country's capacity in the livestock sector.
Tuku made these remarks as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting held at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) conference room. He highlighted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is prioritizing the development of the fisheries and livestock sectors, noting that significant initiatives were taken during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and continued to be prioritized during the term of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Tuku stressed that the fisheries and livestock sectors are crucial for strengthening the national economy, empowering marginalized communities, and meeting the country's demand for animal protein. To unlock the full potential of these sectors, he called for enhanced government institutional capacity and the practical application of research findings in production and at the field level.
Professor Dr. S M Abdul-Awal, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister's Office, also spoke at the meeting, advocating for long-term, practical research projects to address the nutritional needs of the population, increase livestock production, and reduce import dependence. He underscored the importance of expanding livestock production using alternative land and resources while preserving agricultural land.
The meeting was chaired by BLRI Director General Dr. Shakila Faruque, and attended by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahjahan Khan and other senior BLRI officials. Following the meeting, the state minister visited the cattle and sheep research farms of BLRI and the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar.