Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today attended as the chief guest at the national stakeholders’ validation workshop at a city hotel. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Nov 5, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized the need for conserving and improving indigenous cattle breeds to enhance productivity. 

She said that the indigenous cattle varieties of Bangladesh have survived for generations, adapting to local environments despite various adversities. Therefore, the unique genetic traits found within these native breeds are a valuable asset for sustainable livestock development in the future.

The Adviser made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the national stakeholders’ validation workshop titled “Scaling-up Livestock Climate Actions to Enhance Nationally Determined Contributions – Phase II”, held this morning at a hotel in the capital, said a press release.

She underscored the need to protect climate-resilient native livestock breeds, warning that over-reliance on crossbred varieties could pose future risks. She added that issues such as prolonged heat-waves, unpredictable weather, and production disruptions have emerged as major challenges for the fisheries and livestock sector. 

Therefore, Farida stressed the need to ensure regular participation of Bangladeshi researchers, scientists, officials from the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Fisheries, and field-level officers in global discussions, particularly at COP-31.

The Adviser also remarked that the food habits and lifestyles of developed nations are largely responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions. Despite being a climate-vulnerable country, Bangladesh is often unfairly blamed, mainly because sector-specific data and mechanisms for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) are not yet fully established in the country.

The workshop was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. Special guests included Jiaoqun Shi, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bangladesh, and Dr. Shakila Faruq, Director General of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute.

FAO Livestock and Climate Change Specialist Jean De Dieu Ayabagabo also spoke at the event.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Khan Shahidul Haque, National Project Coordinator of FAO.

Dr. Shakif-ul-Azam, Deputy Director of the LDDP Project, presented a paper on “Achievements of the LDDP Project in Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Dairy and Beef Production Systems and the Way Forward.”

Senior government and non-government officials, researchers, development partners, and NGO representatives attended the workshop.