RANGPUR, July 14, 2018 (BSS)-The livestock sector in the district witnessed
a huge boost in the last 10 years through attaining autarky in meat, egg and
milk production.
“A revolutionary success has been achieved in livestock sector as
production of meat became doubled while egg and milk output increased three
times during the period here,” said District Livestock Officer Dr Md Mahbubul
Alam.
During the period, the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) provided
training to 2.90-lakh farm-owners, unemployed male and female youths, small
and marginal farmers and landless people on animal husbandry, poultry and
grass cultivation.
“Of them, over one-lakh people have achieved self-reliance through animal
husbandry, poultry, diary and grass cultivation on commercial basis,” he
said.
The private sector entrepreneurs have set up 5,486 livestock farms,
including 2,341 for cows, 430 for goats, 340 for sheep, 523 for layer
chickens, 1,648 for broiler chickens and 204 for grass production creating
jobs of over 40,000 people.
Dr Alam said 1.20-lakh tonnes of meat was produced against demand of 1.18-
lakh tonnes during the 2016-2017 fiscal though meat production stood at
56,000 tonnes against demand of 1.07-lakh tonnes during 2007-2008 fiscal in
the district.
“Over 2.37-lakh tonnes of milk was produced against demand of 2.37-lakh
tonnes during the 2016-2017 fiscal while milk production stood at 78,000
tonnes against demand of 2.12-lakh tonnes during the 2007-2008 fiscal,” he
said.
Besides, 55.68-crore pieces of eggs were produced against demand of 32-
crore pieces during the 2016-2017 fiscal.
“The production of milk may cross demand of 2.40-lakh tonnes while meat and
egg productions would mark a further increase here during the current 2017-
2018 fiscal,” said Dr Alam.
Talking to BSS, a successful couple Habibur Rahman and Monwara Khatun of
village Chhatas Chawrabari under Kawnia upazila said they began journey with
rearing only one cow in 2001.
They got training and inputs from government departments and loans from
Milk Vita and BRAC Bank and expanded their farm every year. Currently, they
have 12 cows which give 150 kilograms of milk daily. Besides, they have eight
pregnant cows which will give birth to heifers and produce milk soon.
They also produce 100 tonnes of vermin composts annually, have 16 black
Bengal goats and their 25 turkey hens give eggs and they already produced 300
turkey chicks.
“The total value of our livestock resources may be around Taka 40-lakh
now,” said Rahman adding that they have employed eight workers permanently
who get Taka 36,000 as monthly salary.
Youth Shahinul Alam Bakul of village Moyenpur under Mithapukur upazila said
he started the venture with rearing four cows in 2004 and continued to expand
his farm.
Now, Bakul has 25 cows, of them, seven cows give 60 kilogram milk daily,
six pregnant cows will give birth to heifers and milk soon and he sold nine
bullocks and oxen recently.
“Besides, I have now 65 goats after selling 10 goats and 4,000 pieces of
Belgium variety ducks after selling 3,000 pieces recently,” he said adding
that he has employed seven persons permanently.
Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hasan Ahmed said the livestock sector has
achieved the success following various realistic steps taken by the
government.