Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, today announced that 5,500 farmer groups will be created and receive investment in a major boost to the country’s livestock sector. 

The groups will help livestock farmers to become more productive, provide them with better access to markets, and improve their resilience to climate change and other risks. They will be formed across 61 districts and will include dairy cattle, dairy buffalo, beef, goats, sheep, and poultry.

A workshop was held in Dhaka today, attended by  Mr. S M Rezaul Karim, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Dr. Monjur Mohammad Shahjada Director-General, Department of Livestock Services.

FAO Representative in Bangladesh Robert D. Simpson said: “Producer groups present a key opportunity to drive transformation of the livestock sector in Bangladesh. They empower their members economically and socially, and create sustainable rural employment through business models that are resilient to economic and environmental shocks.” 

He added: “Producer groups are also of great benefit to women and youth who make highly valuable contributions to the groups they belong to and lead. With the right training and investment opportunities, producer groups can fulfil their potential, generating more wealth and producing more nutritious food while reducing their carbon footprint.”

In both developed and developing countries, livestock contributes from between 20 to 40 percent of agriculture, supporting 1.3 billion people worldwide. A total of 34 percent of global food protein supply comes from livestock

Around the world, FAO supports the transformation of animal production systems, small and large, in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. The organization provides policy advice, technical support, advocacy, information, knowledge and guidance to help produce high quality animal products, safely, efficiently and responsibly, while improving poor people’s livelihoods and meeting consumers’ needs. 

FAO’s Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP), funded by the World Bank, is working with the Department of Livestock Services to establish and mobilize the farmer groups which will receive technical and financial support. LDDP is also working to create a national management strategy for the livestock sector, supporting livestock farmer field schools, and assisting in drafting national policy. These interlinked measures will contribute to the transformation of livestock and dairy development in Bangladesh.