Livestock experts at a discussion unequivocally called for boosting milk production and its consumption to eradicate the malnutrition problems for building a healthy society and the nation as a whole.
Highlighting the enormous aspects of milk to the nation-building process, they viewed that milk consumption is very important for both physical and mental development of the children. So, utmost emphasis should be given on ensuring fair price of milk and its safe supply.
District Administration and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Rajshahi jointly organised the discussion at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) to mark the 'World Milk Day- 2022' on Wednesday.
The main theme of the day this year was "Sustainability in the dairy Sector as well as Environmental, Nutritional and Socio-economic Empowerment."
Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Zafarullah addressed the discussion as chief guest, while DC Abdul Jalil was in the chair. District Livestock Officer Dr Zulfikar Akhter Hossain also spoke. Professor Dr Shariful Islam from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Rajshahi University highlighted the aspects of milk consumption in terms of building healthy and knowledgeable nation during his keynote presentation.
He defined that protein is the vital nutrition for normal growth and development of the brain and other essential nutrients of the human body while livestock is the pivotal source of nutrition. Illustrating the importance and significance of the day besides giving an overview of milk production in Rajshahi division Prof Islam mentioned that large-scale promotion of the livestock sector is very important to remove the existing protein deficiency alongside ensuring food security. Dr Islam said many of the people suffer from malnutrition, especially lack of animal protein like milk, meat and egg. He revealed that production of huge amounts of meat through the indigenous beef-cattle improvement would supply low cost meat for people and it will ultimately protect them from malnutrition. In his remarks, Commissioner Zafarullah attributed that the present government under the prudent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing a gigantic project at present to mitigate the country's protein deficiency through boosting the livestock sector. He urged the field level officials and staff concerned to supplement the government endeavor through discharging their respective duties with utmost sincerity and honesty.
