Dhaka – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) organized a validation workshop of key strategic documents related to livestock development in Bangladesh. The workshop took place on 8-9 June in Dhaka and focused on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Control and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Eradication Strategies, Animal Breeding and Artificial Insemination Policy, Poultry Hatchery Act; Livestock Extension Policy and the Livestock Extension Manual. It is part of the initiatives to formulate livestock policies and/or update establish international standards in livestock-related endeavors.

Md Abdur Rahman MP, the Honourable Minister of the Fisheries and Livestock opened the workshop activities and said, “The policy documents and the manuals would support building a prosperous livestock sector in the country. All these livestock policy tools will support building a smart Bangladesh by 2041.”

Dia Sanou, FAO Representative (a.i.) in Bangladesh said in his speech, “FAO continues its support to the Government of Bangladesh and its people in updating and formulating livestock policies, manuals, acts, and strategies. These policies are important steps for the smooth transition of Bangladesh to a middle-income country by 2026.”

Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Secretary, MoFL and Dr Md Reajul Huq, Director General, DLS attended the workshop for stakeholders` authentication of the sectoral leading policy documents. Leading policymakers of various ministries, public and private organizations, research organizations, universities, resource partners, food processors, farmers and their partnership organizations participated in the 2-day workshop. A link of the policy documents and the manual were shared with all participants of the workshop.

Background

The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh through the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) is implementing the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP). FAO provides technical support services for delivering some outputs related to knowledge product development.
Noting the lack of comprehensive and up-to-date livestock extension resource materials, the DLS embarked on developing a forward-looking Livestock Extension Manual (LEM) to support the implementation of the Livestock Extension Policy. The LEM consist of 13 chapters that refer to the livestock extension policy and the mandate of the Department of Livestock Services. This manual is expected to be an invaluable document for field-level livestock extension workers, researchers, academia, students, farmers and many others, empowering them to provide efficient livestock services.

FAO | Headquarters | Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy | (+39) 06 570 53625 | www.fao.org