DHAKA — Preserving and developing native cattle breeds is essential to boost productivity, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said.
Bangladesh’s native cattle breeds have survived various adversities over a long period and have adapted to the local environment, Akhter said. The unique genetic traits of these local breeds are a valuable resource for sustainable future livestock development, she said.
Akhter spoke Wednesday, Nov. 5, at a national stakeholders’ validation workshop on “Scaling-Up Livestock Climate Actions to Enhance Nationally Determined Contributions — Phase 2” at a hotel in the capital.
An exclusive shift toward crossbreeds could increase future risks, she said, calling for the conservation of climate-resilient local breeds.
The food habits and lifestyles of developed countries are responsible for huge greenhouse gas emissions, Akhter said. Bangladesh, despite being climate-vulnerable, is often unfairly blamed because the country lacks sector-specific data and a properly established measurement, reporting and verification system.
The workshop was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, director general of the Department of Livestock Services. Guests of honor included Xiaoqun Shi, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Bangladesh, and Dr. Shakila Faruque, director general of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. Jean de Dieu Ayabagabo, livestock and climate change specialist at FAO, also spoke. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Khan Shahidul Haque, national project coordinator for FAO. Dr. Shakif-ul-Azam, deputy director of the LDDP project, presented on the project’s achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy and beef production systems and on the way forward. Senior government and private-sector officials, researchers, development partners and NGO representatives also attended.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report