Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has announced plans to establish a Fisheries and Livestock Bank to provide financial support to farmers. She made the statement on Sunday, August 10, while addressing the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) Barishal Divisional Progress Review Workshop at a hotel in Barishal.
The adviser said women at the grassroots are becoming self-reliant through fisheries and livestock projects and are playing a significant role in supporting their families financially. She noted that discussions have been held in the advisory council on the possibility of creating a dedicated bank to supply funds to farmers in the sector.
Highlighting shortages of milk in Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Bhola, and Patuakhali districts, Akhter pointed out that the national deficit is currently met through imports, which she described as regrettable. She urged farmers to focus on boosting milk and meat production.
She also noted that increased tariffs in the United States have affected the meat sector and stressed the need to expand domestic production. To improve livestock healthcare in remote areas, she announced plans to introduce mobile veterinary hospitals soon, with the goal of reducing the price of beef to Tk 500 per kilogram.
The workshop was chaired by Acting Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Md. Abu Sufian and attended by officials from various districts and upazilas, along with local farmers.
