Implementing good practices is essential for expanding sustainable livestock sector Speakers express their views at PKSF-organized policy dialogue
With a view to promoting of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the country’s livestock sector, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) today organized a policy dialogue titled ‘Implementing Good Agricultural Practices for sustainable expansion of the livestock sector in Bangladesh’ at the PKSF Bhaban-1.
The Chief Guest of the event, Md Shariful Haque, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Services, said, “Although we have achieved self-sufficiency in milk, egg, and meat production, we are still lagging behind in ensuring safe livestock products.” He noted that developing context-appropriate standards and ensuring proper certification mechanisms would greatly benefit farmers. Dr ABM Mustanur Rahman, Additional Director of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, emphasized on the need for developing and widely promoting a ‘Good Agricultural Practices for Livestock Guideline’ tailored to the country’s context in order to strengthen the sustainability of the countries livestock sector.
At the policy dialogue, the keynote paper was presented by Dr A K M Ahsan Kabir, Professor of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University. He noted that adherence to global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the country’s livestock sector remains insufficient. Gaps persist in farm management, livestock product quality, environmental protection, and the availability of quality vaccines and veterinary services. He commented that formulating a ‘Bangladesh Good Agricultural Practices for Livestock’ policy is essential for strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global market.
Speaking as the Chair, Dr Akond Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF, said that PKSF is implementing a range of innovative initiatives across the country with microentrepreneurs. This includes introducing IoT-based farm technologies, expanding milk and meat processing facilities, establishing vaccine hubs, and supporting private veterinary laboratories. Ensuring safe food production and expanding market access are the core objectives of these initiatives. He further noted that formulating a national Good Agricultural Practices guideline for livestock entrepreneurs would play a leading role in advancing the development of this sector.
The event was attended, among others, by faculty members from various agricultural universities, officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, and representatives from private organizations working in the livestock sector.
