Scope to invest in livestock development projects in Bangladesh Dr. A.K.M. Serajul Hoq, Dairy Development Consultant Introduction: The agricultural sector has been a subject of considerable interest since time immemorial as it provides the essential link between farmers and the consumers through production chain. Agriculture sector remains the mainstay of the country’s economy, contributing about 22% and employing about 62% of the labor force. A tremendous scope of value addition exists in this sector through production and processing the agricultural products including milk, meat, eggs, hides and skins etc. The livestock sub- sectors may not only contribute in the economic development but also will provide direct and indirect employment for a huge number of people of Bangladesh. Livestock wealth of the Country: Cattle keeping practice is a traditional and essential event of farmers’ livelihood in agro-based Bangladesh as it provides milk, meat, draught power ,fuel, manure, etc and keep balance in ecosystem in crop production from very old days. Country accounts 24.40 million cattle & buffaloes, 26.25 million goats & sheep (BBS/DLS 2010). Female-cattle estimated 50.29% of total cattle yielding average production of 200 – 300 liters a year from local indigenous varieties in a lactation period of 160 - 180 days, except some of the cross breed producing 1000 – 3000 liters/year in 210 - 300 days of lactation. Milk Production: Current milk production of the country is about 2.36 million metric tons (BBS/DLS 2011) mostly received from cows of rural areas. Livestock Development activities in Bangladesh: Department of Livestock services, Govt. of The Peoples Republic of Bangladesh is the only organization has been working on Livestock Development activities in Bangladesh since its inception. Private sectors, N.G.O’s are taking little part in Livestock development program except poultry production. This caused very poor development in milk and meat production in our country. Demand of Milk in Bangladesh. Per capita availability of milk in Bangladesh ranges from 44gms– 50gms/day (2011), for a total of per capita consumption of 16.00 kg/year as against global averages of 80 kg/year. Nutritionally, by way of providing 250 grams/ day/ person (as a nutritional supplement to the conventional diet-habit) to the population of 150 million a total 14.00 million metric tons milk per year is required depicting a monumental deficit of about 82% (Source: BBS/DLS 2010). Uplifting this situation is a huge national task. Other than infants and children, Bangladeshis are not a milk consuming nation, but are fond of sweet-meat and milk delicacies. However, nutritionally, there exists large deficit. Moreover, though there are a number of dairy organizations in the country, but – No one produces Baby Food. Scope to invest in Dairy Sector in Bangladesh: To cater the huge national demand private entrepreneurs may envisages to invest for commercial dairy with imported exotic cows to produce more milk augmenting to produce Dairy products including Baby Food, Pasteurized Whole Milk, milk based beverages like Toned Milk, Fruit added Milk, different flavored Milk, Yogurt Drinks, quality hygienic Sweetmeats, etc. through improved and up-to-date technology by offering: • Good Quality. • Changing variety in the diet • Providing Attractive Flavors, Colors, Aroma, Nutrients, and texture. • Upholding Consumers’ Satisfaction In addition, the process of developing high quality tailor-made products/solutions for each individual market and customers according to the local and international market demand. Aim of the project: The aim will be to cater the demand of dairy-products, baby-food, and beverages with quality supply. The integrated approach with rural production side by side establishment of modern dairy farms with high yielding verity of dairy cows to produce milk which will be processed in processed in high-quality machinery will in one hand contribute local market demand and on the other will also help earning foreign currency through export. It will create job opportunities both at rural and urban areas and assist in the poverty alleviation process of the country along with developing life-style. In brief – such project will be dedicated to administer service to the nation and Lead the Country’s Dairy and Food sector by the next 5 years with – • Novelty of products and • Establishing economic tie between urban and rural population. Special Effort for Milk Production The poultry sector, which has developed in the country by the private entrepreneurs from Grandparent Stock to Commercial Poultry to cater the demand of table eggs and meat in the country for last three decades. Similarly our valued entrepreneurs can come forward to establish dairy farms with imported HYV cattle as are being going on in other Asian countries like China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and in the Middle East. This effort will help increase number of exotic dairy cows and bulls with high genetic value in terms of milk production in the country. In the process, sustainable milk production and collection systems are to be undertaken while, integrated cattle and milk production packages will be offered to farmers. Such organization will develop the milk production system through introduction of high yielding dairy cattle by exchanging HYV cattle with the farmers and upgrading existing indigenous breeds of cattle by Artificial Insemination with semen of exotic breed, providing preventive and curative treatment of the cattle round the year, improving cattle management practices, providing balanced cattle feed and arrange soft loan for cattle purchase by the farmers and will offer better price of milk. Besides, the farmers will be trained and motivated to increase production activities of milk to supplement their personal/ family income as well as contribution in the national economy. Scope to take part by Financial institutions, N.G.O’s and Foreign donors in Dairy project in Banladesh. The following are the fields for participation: 1. Establishment of Chilling Centers in the rural milk production areas enabling farmers to sell their milk in fresh condition twice every day at better price. 2.Dairy cattle development program by establishing Bull station with exotic Breeding Bulls for collection, processing, freezing, packaging and distribution of frozen semen. 3.Establishment of training centers to train local unemployed youths in Artificial insemination, Veterinary paramedics, Management of dairy cows, etc. 4.To undertake Animal Nutrition program by establishing Animal Feed Mill and Technology Transfer for manufacturing Dairy cattle feed (Concentrates),Calf milk re-placer, Calf starter feed. 5.To undertake Animal health care services program to protect dairy cattle from various infectious, contagious and parasitic diseases by establishing Veterinary Health Care services centers at rural areas. 6.To undertake Fodder development program by establishing a modern fodder farm and production of fodder seeds and seedlings to distribute among farmers. 7.To establish a Dairy farm with cows and heifers of exotic breeds (to be imported ) for increasing number of exotic cow rapidly in the country. Conclusion: To update the modern technical aspect in relation with our Dairy based processing lines, local and foreign organizations are to be associated as scientific, technical and financial collaborative business partner. Therefore, it is anticipated that Financial Institutes, NGO’s may come forward to join with Dairy Projects on mutual benefit basis and to take active part in social development of our country.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 04:54:34 +0000
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