Adviser Farida Akhter today spoke at the National Workshop on ‘Grazing Lands for Buffalo in Coastal Areas: Problems and Solutions’ at Barishal Club. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 25, 2025 (BSS) – Declining of grazing fields due to unplanned development put buffalo resources at risk, observed Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today.

In this connection, she stressed on rearing of livestock to address the protein deficiency of people, safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring national food security.

The adviser made the observations while speaking as the chief guest at the National Workshop on ‘Grazing Lands for Buffalo in Coastal Areas: Problems and Solutions’ at Barishal Club, said a ministry press release here. 

Bangladesh Buffalo Association, Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS) and the Coastal Vet Society jointly orgaised the workshop.

Laying emphasis on expanding buffalo rearing to boost meat and milk production at national level, the adviser observed that it was possible to protect many char areas by fixing right policies and enhancing inter-ministerial coordination.

Farida Akhtar, however, termed the rapidly shrinking of Buffalo grazing fields in different parts of the country due to unplanned construction as “unfortunate”. 

In this regard, she mentioned the demand of  establishing a university by filling up a large cattle grazing field at Shahzadpur upazila in Sirajganj district.

She questioned, “How much positive contribution to the overall welfare of the country can be expected from destroying a cattle grazing field merely for the purpose of obtaining a degree?” 

She stressed on establishing speedboat-based veterinary clinics in coastal areas to safeguard the buffalo health.

Speakers at the workshop noted that the reduction in grazing fields and the rising cost of feed are leading to a decline in the number of buffalo and other livestock in the country. 

They called for effective local-level planning and sustainable grazing fields development to address the situation. They urged the authorties concerned to take effective steps to increase the buffalo production aimed at increasing production of meat milk.

With President of Bangladesh Buffalo Association Prof Dr. Omar Faruq in the chair, the workshop was attended, among others, by Acting Director of the Divisional Livestock Office Dr Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Barishal Lusikanto Hajong, PKSF Deputy Managing Director Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeq Ahmed and Executive Director of the GJUS Zakir Hossain Mahin. 

Senior officials from the government and non-government organizations along with local farmers also attended the event.