Dhaka: The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board took place in the conference room of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat today. The board, established under the Bangladesh Dairy Development Act-2023, aims to manage activities related to boosting milk and dairy products production, standard setting, and marketing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the 15-member board of directors was chaired by Farida Akhter, Adviser to the ministry and Chairperson of the board. Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Vice-chairperson and Secretary of the ministry, was also present. Akhter highlighted the importance of regular meetings for the effective implementation of the board’s functions as prescribed by the Act.
Akhter emphasized the need for the board’s activities to extend beyond its headquarters, stressing the identification of milk production hubs and the establishment of branch offices nationwide. Developing an appropriate human resource structure was also deemed crucial to ensure safe milk and dairy products for the country’s population.
Vice-chairperson Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber announced the appointment of Ms. Shahina Ferdousi as Executive Director and Member Secretary of the board on deputation. He noted that the meeting was convened to make decisions and approve the implementation of the board’s legally assigned functions.
The meeting also discussed launching extensive publicity and awareness campaigns to increase public awareness about the board’s functions. Members present at the meeting expressed their agreement on these initiatives.
Participants included Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Md Abu Sufian, Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr. Shakila Faruk, Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Zakaria, and several other prominent members and officials from various sectors.