Fisheries, Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid addressed a workshop on ‘Buffalo Research and Development’, held at BLRI in Savar today. Photo: PID

SAVAR, June 16, 2026 (BSS)-Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today said that the allocations for research will be increased in the future emphasizing that no country could progress without research.

“Research is essential for national development. Government will not be reluctant to provide funding for research. However, it must be ensured that genuine and effective research is being conducted,” he said.

The minister made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the concluding workshop of the ‘Buffalo Research and Development’, being implemented by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) here as the chief guest.

Highlighting the importance of promoting buffalo farming, he said buffalo milk is a valuable resource in many developed countries. He noted that the agricultural activities are relatively limited in the country’s char areas and that expanding the cultivation of salt-tolerant grasses suitable for saline soils could create significant opportunities for buffalo farming.

The minister also pointed out that pressure on agricultural land is expected to increase in the future. Therefore, he said, further research is needed on how buffalo farming can be conducted profitably within limited land areas.

Earlier in the day, the minister visited BLRI’s goat research farm. During the visit, he described the Black Bengal Goat as a symbol of Bangladesh’s centuries-old heritage and pride.

“We want to work for the expansion and improvement of the Black Bengal Goat across the country,” he said.

He further stressed the need to encourage educated unemployed youths to become agricultural entrepreneurs by investing in Black Bengal Goat farming and establishing goat farms. Such initiatives, he said, would generate employment opportunities and further strengthen the country’s livestock sector.

The workshop was chaired by the Director General of the BLRI Dr. Shakila Faruk where Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain and Vice Chancellor of Mymensingh Agriculture University Prof. Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan joined as special guests. Besides, Director General of the Directorate of Livestock Md Shah Zaman Khan was present there as a guest of honour.

Project Director and BLRI Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Gautam Kumar Dev delivered the welcome address and presented the project’s implementation progress and achievements.