Bangladesh is the worst affected country by climate disasters in the world. As a result, cattle and dairy sector is at risk like humans. Livestock, a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), could be at risk if action is not taken now to address climate change. In addition, experts believe that the efforts to make the country a developed one by 2041 may become difficult.
Experts say, the temperature is increasing rapidly in the world. Because of this, livestock sector and farmers are at serious risk. They also commented that the supply of cows milk and meat will decrease in the coming days if climate-friendly farming is not done.
They suggest that to deal with the climate change, using cement shed and bamboo ceiling on the farm, arranging the entry of light and air around the house, making the house very high to protect it from rain water and water logging, building houses with two-floors and vertically in the east and west is necessary. Planting sustainable grasses, storing grain feed as an alternative to green grass during cyclones and floods, providing clean water and providing prompt medical care to livestock when they are sick are also important.
According to sources, the government has made sustainable and climate resilient sheds in many areas through the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP). The government has taken initiative to build climate- resilient sheds in 466 upazila through the LDDP while, already 111 sheds had already been handed over to the farmers. Another 100 climate resilient sheds will be handed over to the farmers by next December. They can protect cattle from the cold with a curtain even in winter.
Sources said that the LDDP is scheduled to be implemented in 466 upazilas of 12 districts of the country (excluding three districts in hill tracts) from 2019 to October 2025. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has started the implementation of a project titled "The Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP)" under the Directorate of Livestock (DLS) with funding from the World Bank.
The original cost of the project was Tk 4,280.36 crore and the implementation period was from January 2019 to December 2023. In the revised proposal, the cost of the project has been increased by Tk 1,095 crore to Tk 5,389.92 crore. And the period has been extended by 22 months till October 2025.
Agricultural Economist and teacher of the Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Md Saidur Rahman told the Daily Observer, "Climate change is an important issue for Bangladesh. It won change overnight. Adverse effects should be investigated. Some items are vulnerable to the animal resource sector and should be marked so. There is no substitute for research to do this. Only researchers can tell which areas are at risk for which animals."
He also said that a lot of broiler chickens died in the fire in the last few days due to heat wave. Change is happening again. Those who work with weather need to innovate. What can happen in the future should be taken from them. A sudden decision will not be effective. Of course invest in research to find out the real situation. Developed countries can do a lot. But we can do that. It is not appropriate to make decisions on these issues based on a single study."
Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) President Md Imran Hossain told Daily Observer that the shed they have built is logical and the thing is needed. But it is insufficient compared to the need. There are about 17 lakh farmers, both small and large. 211 shades is not enough. Government should take more such steps. We are talking to the government all the time. At least 1.5 lakh the sheds will be needed."
Md Abdur Rahim, LDDP Director told the Daily Observer, "Cattle farms should be built keeping in mind the natural environment because, Bangladesh is a disaster prone country. There are many quality farms in Bangladesh. But those farms are not climate resilient."
He said, "The government has made sustainable and climate resilient sheds in many places through the LDDP project. It should be done across the country. Thats why farmers need to be aware."
Dr Md Golam Rabbani, Chief Technical Coordinator of LDDP told the Daily Observer, "The dairy cattle sector in Bangladesh is responsible for about 45.9 megatonnes of CO2-eq. Most of this - 79 per cent - is methane. Methane can be an alternative fuel. From here we can get alternative electricity."
He said that an initiative has been taken to build climate-resilient sheds in every upazila. Cattle exercise is very important. Due to this the cows will be healthy.
He said that the DLS is working to expand this work of more grass in less land and more milk and meat with fewer animals.
