Tuku highlights govt plans for livestock growth

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku on Tuesday said the government is working to develop the country’s livestock sector by strengthening the capacity of marginal farmers and entrepreneurs.

He noted that the initiative is being implemented in line with the current government’s electoral manifesto, with a focus on expanding opportunities and improving productivity in the sector.

The state minister made the remarks while inaugurating a motivational training programme for buffalo entrepreneurs at the conference room of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute in Savar.

Tuku said the government has taken steps to provide training, essential medicines, and quality veterinary services to livestock farmers at the upazila level, aiming to ensure the production and supply of safe, standard animal-based food.

He added that the government’s broader goal is to make protein-rich food more accessible to rural communities while transforming the livestock sector into a stronger industry through the expansion of the poultry and dairy sectors.

The minister also highlighted efforts to enhance the capacity of marginal farmers by encouraging women entrepreneurs and strengthening vaccination programmes.

Emphasising the importance of buffalo farming, Tuku said the government is giving increased attention to buffalo rearing alongside poultry and dairy farming to help meet the country’s growing demand for protein.

He added that buffalo meat is highly nutritious and that buffaloes make a significant contribution to milk production. To promote the sector, the government is providing training and support to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in buffalo farming.