ZCZC
BSS-09
MILK-DISCUSSION-RAJSHAHI (with picture)
Experts hope Bangladesh to be self-reliant in milk production
RAJSHAHI, June 1, 2019 (BSS) – Livestock experts at a post-rally discussion
here today expressed their hopefulness that Bangladesh is going to achieve
self-reliance in milk production in near future. They told the meeting that
the county produces 94 lakh metric tonnes of milk against the demand of 140
lakh tonnes annually at present.
Rajshahi district produces four lakh metric tonnes of milk against the
demand of 5 lakh tonnes, they said.
Divisional and district offices of Department of Livestock Services (DLS)
jointly organized the discussion at the city bhaban conference hall of
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) to mark the ‘World Milk Day- 2019’.
The theme of World Milk Day 2019 is “Drink Milk: Today and Everyday.”
Chaired by divisional deputy director of DLS Dr Kolyan Kumar Fouzder, the
meeting was addressed, among others, by RCC Panel Mayor Rajab Ali, Additional
District Magistrate Nazrul Islam and District Livestock Officer Dr Humayun
Kabir.
Dr Jalal Uddin Sarder from Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at
Rajshahi University, Poultry Genesist Zulfiker Muhammad Akhter Hossain and
Assistant Director of Animal Production Dr Ismail Haque also disseminated
their expertise on the issue.
The discussants unequivocally called for boosting consumption of milk to
eliminate the malnutrition problems particularly among the poor and
distressed children.
They said milk consumption is very important for both physical and mental
development of the children. So, utmost emphasis should be given to ensure
fair price of milk and its safe supply.
During his keynote presentation, Dr Ruhul Amin Al Faruque, divisional
assistant director of DLS, highlighted the importance and significance of the
day besides giving an overview of milk production in the division.
Quoting a new study done by the International Food Policy Research
Institute the keynote presenter told the meeting that milk consumption has a
large impact on linear growth in the crucial first 1,000 days of an infant’s
life.
Before the meeting, the DLS officials and employees accompanied by large
number of dairy and poultry farmers and volunteers also brought out a rally
from the city bhaban premises to mark the day.
On the occasion, the DLS officials fed milk to 150 babies and children in
two orphanages in the city.
BSS/AH/GMR/1418 hrs