USDA launched Climate Smart Livestock
The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock urged to increase the production of natural feed for animals
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new Climate Smart Livestock Project in Bangladesh to increase efficiency in Bangladesh's livestock sector, promote climate resilience and encourage sustainable innovation.
The project was inaugurated in a joint initiative of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and ACDI/VOCA (Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance) at Hotel La Méridien in the capital on Saturday.
It was informed at the event that this innovative project will significantly increase livestock production, increase market opportunities and implement climate-smart systems in 16 designated districts. This will ultimately benefit more than 250,000 cattle farmers. The project will introduce improved production technologies, improve animal health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with Bangladesh's national climate goals. By connecting producers to the end buyer and increasing access to investment capital, the project aims to increase cattle sales by $940 million over five years.
In the project opening ceremony, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Md. Abdur Rahman, urged to increase the production of natural food in a safe way for animals.
Calling upon the concerned parties to find ways to properly utilize the gas produced from dung, he added that if the production of cow food is increased naturally, the amount of greenhouse gas emission will decrease. The nature of animal feed should be changed. The production of animal feed should be increased by modern methods.
He expressed his interest in working with the United States Department of Agriculture on these issues and mentioned the United States as one of Bangladesh's development partners. He commented that it will be possible to face all the challenges by working together.
The minister said to the farmers to change the feeding habits of the animals; we should not only increase the production of our livestock. Rather, it should be increased environmentally. In this regard, he emphasized on increasing the production of grass that can be used as fodder and urged the farmers to emphasize on grass cultivation.
On the other hand, USDA Agricultural Attaché Sarah Gileski said, "We are happy to launch this innovative project." The project will also help small-scale livestock producers increase production and improve livelihoods, while also reducing methane emissions. It will show us that agricultural production will not decrease in exchange for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Director General of Animal Resources Department Dr. Mohammad Reyazul Haque presided over the event while Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr. SM Jahangir Hossain, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Attache Sarah Gileski, ACDI/Voca Chief Executive Officer Sylvia J. Maigret were present special guests in the program.
