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Future of country’s livestock

Published : Thursday, 29 August, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 257
Md Arafat Rahman
The role of livestock in the economy of Bangladesh is quite important. Livestock especially cattle and poultry is raised for economic gain in farms. Cow, buffaloes, goats and sheep are notable among the cattle in Bangladesh. They are an important resource for any country, as these animals provide driving power for agricultural activities, hides, and manure and are the main source of meat and milk for a large portion of the population. Livestock industry is essentially concerned with the health and welfare, data of production quality and effective measures for business development.

A large number of Bangladesh's population earns its living through livestock and poultry rearing and breeding programs. Cultivation, bearing and supply of manure and fuel are important contributions of livestock. Moreover, animal skins and bones help in earning foreign exchange. Livestock is a major source of livelihood for landless people. In Bangladesh, the density of animals and birds per acre of arable land is increasing year by year. 

Compared to other countries in the world, the density of animals and birds per hectare is higher in Bangladesh. Recently, a lot of improvement has been observed in the annual growth rate. To meet the needs of the country, the production should be increased. For that, investment in the research and extension sector of animals and birds should be increased. The noticeable difference is that the inequality in the distribution of animal-bird resources per family is very less. Increased investment in the livestock sub-sector will have a positive impact on the inequality of income distribution.

Livestock development depends on various factors. These are livestock animal health services, animal-support activities, animal-related habitat allocation, expansion of quality production, animal extension services and greater cooperation between the public and private sectors. Dealing with various animal health problems such as disease detection, treatment, disease prevention and control are some of the major aspects involved in livestock development. 

Apart from these, there are also some other essential aspects like animal husbandry through breed improvement, artificial insemination, technology transfer etc. Various organizations in Bangladesh including government and private sectors are playing an effective role in livestock development. International organizations like World Bank, Asian Development Bank can be involved in livestock development activities.

Domestic breed of poultry is small in size and lays fewer eggs. The government has established many chicken and duck farms in many parts of the country. Poultry rearing program started in many village households with financial support provided by UNICEF in the mid-eighties. Many commercially viable poultry breeds are now well established in Bangladesh and are being used profitably in various farms. 

As a result of the expansion initiatives taken by the government and poultry traders, such farms are continuously increasing in the country. In addition to government and private farms, there are some such farms of the military department which meet the partial needs of the army. In some areas of the country, the inhabitants keep horses as carriers. How many horses there are in the country has not been calculated even today.

The Government of Bangladesh has prioritized livestock development to meet the growing demand for milk, meat and eggs and to increase employment and income of the rural poor. For the effective organization of the practical aspects of these activities, various educational institutions like Bangladesh Agricultural University and other universities and colleges of the country provide education and training to the necessary skilled workers.

 

The government provides various assistance to those who wish to raise cross-breeding dairy cow. The government also provides substantial support for vaccinations and artificial insemination. Bangladesh has a high density of animals and birds, but their productivity is low. Because of that, there is a huge shortage of animal and poultry products in this country. Behind this are underdeveloped breeds of animals and birds, food problems, diseases and management problems etc. 

Apart from this, the difficulties in the marketing of animal and poultry products should be removed and necessary funds should be provided for the management of animal and poultry farms. For the implementation of all these goals, many practical recommendations have been formulated in detail. Here are some recommendations in a nutshell:

1. Strengthening of artificial breeding activities for the development of animal and bird breeds and preservation of domestic improved breeds. 2. Encouraging the expansion of improved grass cultivation and establishment of animal and poultry feed factories. 3. Expansion of production, distribution and treatment of animal and bird vaccines. 4. Providing training to farmers in improved farm management. 5. Encouraging the private sector to set up new farms and ensuring the supply of necessary materials. 

6. Providing subsidies to keep the price of animal feed and veterinary medicine within the purchasing power of farmers. 7. Involving of private organizations in the development and expansion of livestock. 8. Giving priority to research on animals and birds. 9. Providing special facilities in storage, processing, transportation and marketing of animal and poultry products. 10. Provision of guaranteed institutional loans on easy terms and low interest. 11. Increasing the allocation in the government sector for the development of animals and birds. 12. Undertaking special schemes for rearing animals and birds for landless farmers and rural women.

It is noteworthy here that the farmers of Bangladesh do not make a living by rearing animals and birds. They follow mixed farming system. They have many sources of income. Animals and birds are only one source of them. Therefore, there is some complexity in assessing the impact of livestock development on poverty and income inequality in the country. However, it is not difficult to ascertain whether the per capita income of small and landless farmers is increasing through poultry rearing and whether it has any positive impact on their poverty. It is imperative to conduct regular surveys in this regard.

The rate of population growth along with the increase in animal and poultry products greatly affects the market system. Interventions are currently underway to increase the rate of growth in the former and reduce growth in the latter. As a result, sometime in the future, the supply of animal and poultry products may increase and the product price may go against the interest of the producer. Then intervention in the marketing system and price support will be necessary.

However, since the demand and supply of poultry products are still very tight and since the per capita income is steadily increasing, the possibility of an abnormal fall in the price of poultry products in the domestic market is very unlikely in the near future. Therefore, increased investment in this sub-sector will have a positive impact on income, employment and social inequality. 

It will increase self-employment opportunities, increase the income of common people, reduce their malnutrition and reduce socio-economic deprivation. For that reason, the investment in the public sector should be increased for the development of animal and bird resources. At the same time, target group oriented development programs should be intensified. The objective of poverty alleviation will be successful.

The writer is columnist and Official of Southeast University


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