Commercial sheep farming can meet protein demand: Experts

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RAJSHAHI, Nov 6, 2018 (BSS)-Experts and academics here observed that a
large-scale promotion of commercial sheep farming can be the vital means of
meeting the existing protein demands.

They also opined that commercial sheep farming is very important for
producing valuable wool to help develop wool-based textile in the country.

As a whole, a successful promotion of sheep farming can contribute to the
increase of woolen fiber production, improving rural livelihood and producing
more meat and milk to meet the country’s nutritional demand.

The observation came at the closing and certificate-giving session of a
two-day training for the trainers on commercial sheep farming at Veterinary
Clinic on Narkelbaria campus of Rajshahi University (RU) on Tuesday.

RU’s Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (DVAS) and Krishi
Goveshona Foundation (KGF) jointly organized the training in association with
‘Validation of Good Practices of On-farm Lamb Production System’ project.

More than 30 entrepreneurs and NGO leaders from Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon,
Pabna and Sirajganj joined the training.

Chaired by DVAS Chairman Prof SM Kamruzzaman, the meeting was addressed,
among others, by RU Chief Engineer Abul Kalam Azad, Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder
of the department and its Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Hemayetul Islam,
Principal Investigator of the project Dr Rashida Khatun and Co-investigator
Dr Akhtarul Islam.

Dr Rashida Khatun said rapid economic growth of the region could be
achieved through proper use and development of livestock resources.

She said the issue of improvement and conservation of native sheep in
society-based and commercial farms should be given priority for poverty
reduction and creating employment opportunities.

Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder told the meeting that the scientists of Department
of Livestock Services and the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI)
have already developed and produced different types of woolen fabrics and
bed-sheet and suiting by using 30 percent sheep wool, 30 percent jute and 40
percent cotton.

“Demand for these products is huge in local market and the same could be
met by commercial sheep farming,” he said. Currently, Bangladesh is producing
about 3,000 tonnes of wool from 34 lakh sheep that are being used in
producing blanket, shawl, bed-sheet and some other winter clothing.