Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter at a workshop in Barishal on Monday said that declining of grazing fields due to unplanned development put buffalo resources at risk.
Farida Akhter made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the national workshop on 鈥榞razing lands for buffalo in coastal areas鈥� at Barishal Club, said a press release.
Emphasising on rearing of livestock to address the protein deficiency of people, safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring national food security, the adviser observed that it was possible to protect many char areas by fixing right policies and enhancing inter-ministerial coordination.
She also stressed on expanding buffalo rearing to boost meat and milk production at national level.
Terming the rapidly shrinking of buffalo grazing fields in different parts of the country due to unplanned construction as 鈥榰nfortunate鈥�, Farida Akhtar, in this regard, mentioned the demand of establishing a university by filling up a large cattle grazing field at Shahzadpur in Sirajganj.
鈥楬ow much positive contribution to the overall welfare of the country can be expected from destroying a cattle grazing field merely for the purpose of obtaining a degree,鈥� she raised the question, stressing on establishing speedboat-based veterinary clinics in coastal areas to safeguard the buffalo health.
Speakers at the workshop noted that the reduction in grazing fields and the rising cost of feed were leading to a decline in the number of buffalo and other livestock in the country.
Urging the authorities concerned to take effective steps to increase the buffalo production aimed at increasing production of meat milk, they also called for effective local-level planning and sustainable grazing fields鈥� development to address the situation.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Buffalo Association, the Grameen Jana Unnayan Sangstha and the Coastal Vet Society jointly.
Presided over by president of Bangladesh Buffalo Association Professor Omar Faruq, the workshop was attended, among others, by acting director of the divisional livestock office Md Mostafizur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner Barishal Lusikanto Hajong, PKSF deputy managing director Fazle Rabbi Sadeq Ahmed and executive director of the GJUS Zakir Hossain Mahin.