Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Sept 14, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter 
today said that chilling points (chilling centers) would be set up across the 
country to reduce milk import. 
 
These points will be set up to meet the shortage of milk produced and also to 
ensure that farmers do not suffer due to lack of proper collection and 
storage. 
 
"In addition, arrangements will be made to collect milk produced by farmers 
and bring it to the cities to reduce their dependence on big companies in the 
country," she said.
 
The Adviser said this while speaking as the chief guest at the "Divisional 
Progress Review Workshop" of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project 
(LDDP) held at the Begum Rokeya Auditorium of RDRS Bangladesh in the city. 
 
Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian 
presided over the event.
 
The main article at the workshop was presented by LDDP's Chief Technical 
Coordinator Dr Md Golam Rabbani. 
 
Farida Akhter said that disease control is a big challenge in cattle farming. 
There is no alternative to vaccination to control preventable diseases. 
 
"Vaccine production and use must be ensured to prevent animal diseases. This 
is related to the livelihood of farmers and is also important for public 
health," she said. 
 
She said that it is important to control use of antibiotics in animals to 
ensure safe food for people. 
 
The Adviser said that the livelihood of women in the char lands is deeply 
linked to raising cattle. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the 
livestock sector for the development of char areas. 
 
Stating that most children in Bangladesh suffer from malnutrition, she said 
that plans are being made to provide eggs as well as milk as a mid-day meal 
to children in schools. 
 

The Adviser urged the livestock officials present to check the expiration 
date of the medicines for domestic animals and distribute it. 
 
Speaking as a special guest, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and 
Livestock Abu Taher Muhammad Zaber said that entrepreneurs should be 
encouraged to innovate and their products should be distributed among other 
farmers. 
 
"If the excess milk produced by Rangpur division can be processed and 
distributed across the country, milk shortage will be reduced to some 
extent," he said. 
 
Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian 
said that a vaccine has been developed domestically to prevent the newly 
spread lumpy skin disease. 
 
Two and a half lakh doses have already been distributed and five lakh doses 
will be prepared by December. 
 
He said that on an emergency basis, the government is importing 12 lakh doses 
from abroad for distribution across the country. 
 
LDDP Project Director Dr Md Jasim Uddin, senior officials of the ministry, 
district and upazila level officials of Rangpur division, farmers, and 
journalists were present at the event.