Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter spoke at a small farmers' gathering and exchange meeting held at Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj today. Photo : BSS

SIRAJGANJ, July 5, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has underscored the urgent need for a national policy to determine fair milk prices as part of efforts to ensure the sustainable development of the country's livestock and dairy sector.

"Farmers are raising cows with great dedication, but they are not getting a fair price for milk," she said at a small farmers' gathering and exchange meeting held at the Potajia Dairy Producer Group under the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) in Potajia village of Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj this afternoon.

"At the same time, the rising cost of cattle feed is worsening the situation. It is essential to set fair prices and take concrete steps to reduce production costs to solve these problems sustainably," she added.

Farida Akhtar highlighted the benefits of grass-based livestock feed, urging farmers to expand grass cultivation to reduce dependence on commercial cattle feed. 

"Increasing grass cultivation will help reduce the overall cost of raising livestock," she added.

Addressing animal health concerns, she noted that vaccination campaigns against foot-and-mouth disease (commonly known as foot disease in cattle) have been launched in Sirajganj along with four other districts.
 
"This initiative will protect farmers from major losses due to the disease and help improve livestock productivity," she said.

Earlier in the day, the adviser held a meeting with officials of the Livestock Department in Pabna district, discussing policy and field-level implementation issues.

In the evening, she visited the Baghabari Ghat Dairy Factory and later toured Bengal Meat's red meat processing facility, slaughterhouse, fish processing plant and biogas plant located in Kashinathpur of Santhia upazila.