Boost local vaccine production to cut import dependence: State minister

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has called for stronger research and innovation to reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported livestock vaccines, saying the country currently produces only 15 per cent of its required vaccines locally while importing the remaining 85 per cent.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Annual Research Review Workshop-2026, held at the conference room of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) on Wednesday.

The state minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was working to strengthen domestic production capacity, reduce import dependence and ensure food security.

He urged researchers and relevant stakeholders to enhance the country's capabilities through research, innovation and collective efforts, and called on everyone to play a responsible role in national development.

Praising the contributions of BLRI scientists, Tuku said their research and innovations had introduced new technologies to the livestock sector and contributed positively to the national economy.

He stressed that safe food production was essential to ensuring food security, highlighting the growing global importance of the One Health approach, which recognises the close links between animal health, food safety and public health.

He called on all stakeholders to ensure that livestock products were safe for consumption.

The state minister also warned that unnecessary and unplanned use of antibiotics in the livestock sector posed serious risks to public health. He stressed the need to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthen training and motivational programmes to discourage indiscriminate antibiotic use among marginal farmers.

He said rational use of antibiotics would help protect public health while reducing livestock production costs.

Tuku also praised BLRI's innovations, noting that the institute had already transferred two vaccines to the Department of Livestock Services. He expressed hope that the pace of innovation and technology transfer would increase further.

Earlier, speaking to journalists, the state minister said workers had returned to garment factories after the government formed a minimum wage board to address demands for higher wages.

However, he alleged that a group was attempting to create instability by obstructing workers from returning to their workplaces.

"There will be no benefit from such conspiracies," he said, adding that the government had already taken action and law enforcement agencies were identifying those involved in disorder and taking necessary measures.

The workshop was chaired by BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruk.

Dhaka-1 lawmaker Khondaker Abu Ashfaq, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Md Yasin Ferdous Murad and Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahjahan Khan attended the event as special guests.

Senior ministry officials, university teachers, BLRI scientists and researchers, and livestock farmers were also present.

sks