DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) -The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board was held at the conference room of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat here today. 

The board was formed under Bangladesh Dairy Development Act-2023 to ensure the systematic management of the activities related to increasing the production of milk and dairy products as balanced food, setting and controlling standards, marketing and related functions.

The meeting of the 15-member board of directors was chaired by its Chairperson and Adviser to the ministry Farida Akhter, where it’s Vice-chairperson Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Secretary of the ministry was also present.

The Chairperson of the board Farida Akhter stated that holding of regular meetings of the board is extremely important for the proper and effective implementation of the functions prescribed by the Act. 

She emphasized that to ensure safe milk and dairy products for the people of the country, the activities of the board must expand beyond the boundaries of its headquarters and be extended nationwide. To this end, she stressed the importance of identifying milk and dairy production hubs, establishing the necessary number of branch offices and developing an appropriate human resource structure.

Vice-Chairperson of the board and Secretary of the ministry Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber stated that Ms. Shahina Ferdousi, Joint Secretary of the ministry has been appointed on deputation as the Executive Director of the board. At the same time, she will also perform the duties of its Member Secretary. 

He noted that the meeting was convened to take decisions and for giving approvals by the board for implementation of the functions assigned to the board by law.

The meeting also discussed the adoption of extensive publicity and awareness-raising activities to increase public awareness about the functions of the board. The members of the Board present expressed their agreement on these matters.

Director General (DG) of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian, DG, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr Shakila Faruk, Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Zakaria, President of Bangladesh Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd and member of the National Cooperative Union Commander Jahirul Amin (Rtd), Joint Secretary of the Health Services Division Md. Mohsin, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mohammad Enamul Haque, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Ms. Dilsad Begum, Prof. Gautam Kumar Debnath of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, its Members Ms. Shiuly Ghosh of Jeyala Dakshinpara Primary Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society Ltd, Mohammad Iqbal Hossain of A.K. Agro and Dairy Farm, Ms. Rokeya Akhtar of Rokeya Dairy Farm and Member Secretary of the board Ms. Shahina Ferdousi were present at the meeting.