The contribution of livestock sector in the economy of agrarian Bangladesh is significant. At constant prices, the livestock sector contributed 1.8% to the GDP in 2013-14 and the growth rate was 2.63%. The contribution of livestock sector to the total agricultural GDP is about 14.07%. Moreover, the export income of raw and processed products produced in the livestock sector in the financial year 2013-14 was about Tk 9080.69 crore (Source: Export Promotion Bureau, 2013-14). About 20% of the total population of the country is dependent on the government and 50% indirectly on the livestock sector. The vision of the Department of Livestock is to build a talented, healthy and intelligent nation by increasing the production of milk, meat and eggs in the country and meeting the demand for essential meat. With this goal in mind, the Department of Livestock is working on the transfer and expansion of modern technology. The significant development activities and achievements of the Department of Livestock performed at the national level are presented below.
- Increased production and availability of milk, meat and eggs
The Department of Livestock is conducting various activities to increase the production and availability of milk, meat and eggs. In the last financial year 2005-06, the production of milk, meat and eggs was 22.70 lakh metric tons, 11.30 lakh metric tons and 542.20 crore respectively. In the light of the far-reaching plan and vision 2021 of the present government, effective and fruitful measures taken by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Department of Livestock have resulted in an increase in milk, meat and egg production at the end of 2013-14 to 60.90 lakh metric tons, And 1017.60 crore.
- Poverty alleviation and job creation
The officials and employees of the Department of Livestock are working directly with the rural poor to develop the livestock of the country. Poverty alleviation and job creation is an important task of the Livestock Department. The Department of Livestock is continuing its efforts to alleviate the poverty of the rural population of the country by creating self-employment by involving lakhs of unemployed youth, young women, landless and marginal farmers in raising cattle and poultry. In the last 2013-14 financial year, the Department of Livestock has tried to reduce unemployment by providing training to a total of 10.15 lakh farmers (unemployed youth, young women, destitute women, landless and marginal) in raising cattle and poultry. In addition, the project has been approved to set up an Entrepreneur Development Training Center for the development of new entrepreneurs, the implementation of which will lead to extensive development of livestock and employment at the private level. As a result, it will play an effective role in reducing employment and poverty in the country.
- Expansion of modern methods of rearing, management and technology in livestock development
A. Cow fattening in a healthy and scientific way
Cow fattening package technology has been invented with the aim of producing meat profitably in a scientific manner. As a result, farmers are benefiting more by marketing more beef cows in just 4 to 6 months through selection of specific cows, deworming, nutrition and food management.
B. Commercial layer and broiler rearing models for small farms
Raising chickens according to the commercial layer and broiler rearing model at the small farm level with the help of the Department of Livestock is providing economic benefits including meeting the nutritional needs of the family. The Department of Poultry has also achieved unprecedented success in the last one decade as a result of various timely initiatives taken by the Department. At present, 1,400 metric tons of chicken meat and 15 million pieces of eggs are being produced commercially daily, which is enough to meet 100% of the domestic demand (Source: Center for Policy Dialogue, CPD).
C. Goat rearing in slat-stall system
In Bangladesh, goats are usually reared in the open and no special house is made for goats. As a result, goats are often infected with pneumonia and various parasitic diseases, resulting in severe disruption of production. In order to prevent these problems and increase production, the department is working on the expansion of stall-feeding technology in a science-based SAT system with complete accommodation.
D. Poultry technology in rural environment
In this riverine agricultural country, ducks have been reared as a family since ancient times. However, in modern technology, it is possible to reap the benefits of improved breeds like Khaki Campbell, Jinding, Indian Runner etc. in year round confinement or semi-confinement through standard brooding and balanced food management. Ducks reared with this technology start laying eggs from only 18 to 20 weeks and an average of 250 to 300 eggs are laid annually.