Experts call for low-carbon, climate-resilient dairy sector 

Government officials, development partners, researchers and industry representatives have called for a climate-resilient, low-carbon and commercially viable dairy sector in Bangladesh at the Annual Green Dairy Partnership Summit 2026.

Held under the theme “Pioneering a Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient, and Viable Dairy Sector in Bangladesh,” the summit highlighted innovation, partnerships and farmer-led initiatives to boost productivity, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen food and nutrition security.

Supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its Danida Green Business Partnerships, the initiative brings together Solidaridad Network Asia, Arla Foods Bangladesh, PRAN Dairy, SEGES Innovation and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, says a press release. 

The partnership works with 10,000 dairy farming households under PRAN Dairy's network in southwest Bangladesh, including 8,549 women farmers. 

Through the Arla Big 5 framework, it promotes feed efficiency, balanced nutrition, herd health, manure management and responsible land use to improve productivity and reduce environmental impacts.

The initiative has also made progress in women's economic empowerment, raising the share of women independently making decisions about dairy income from 23.58% in 2025 to 41.66% in 2026.

At the summit, partners unveiled a commemorative coffee table book, Feeding the Future of Bangladesh: Transforming Dairy, Nourishing Generations, documenting farmers' experiences and the partnership's achievements.

Speaking as chief guest, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku highlighted the dairy sector's importance to 1.5 million smallholder families and the need to bridge the country's milk supply gap.

He stressed reducing emissions while increasing farmers' incomes through climate-smart practices, alongside greater investment in milk collection infrastructure and market access.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain emphasised farmer training, knowledge transfer and effective implementation of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board (BDDB) Act, 2023, to strengthen the sector's long-term growth.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to low-carbon agricultural development through partnerships combining global expertise with local knowledge.

Arla Foods Bangladesh Managing Director Laurent Ponty highlighted the potential of the Arla Big 5 approach to raise productivity, improve livelihoods and reduce farm-level emissions. 

PRAN-RFL Group Director of Finance Uzma Chowdhury stressed the need for quality infrastructure, transparent supply chains and continued investment to build a competitive dairy industry.