Bangladesh policy does not take buffalo seriously: livestock advisor

Although the buffalo is a very important part of the social and cultural life of Bangladesh, it is extremely neglected in government policies, Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar said today (October 25).

Policymakers do not think much about buffalo protection in Bangladesh, she said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural program of the 11th Asian Buffalo Congress in Dhaka.

The Asian Buffalo Association (ABA), Bangladesh Buffalo Association (BBA), Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute and Bangladesh Agricultural University are jointly organizing the three-day event.

Researchers at the event presented papers claiming that buffalo numbers in Bangladesh are declining due to the impact of climate change and several other reasons. They said rearing buffalos on pastures (open chars) is becoming difficult due to rising salinity and extreme weather events.

Referring to the issue, Farida said: “We do not take buffaloes seriously in our politics. In some places buffaloes are used as transportation. They are very connected with the social life of people in those areas.

“The buffalo is not only important for food security and livelihoods, but it is also important as a social animal very connected to our culture.”

Speaking at the event, ABA President Professor Omar Faruque said: “We need livestock species that can survive in adverse environments. Furthermore, we want to produce them at low cost. Buffalo was one of the main protein resources for the coastal population, but it was neglected for a long time. We have to adopt policies to increase buffalo farming.

Congress participants will present 85 scientific research papers covering various topics such as ecology, climate change, welfare, sustainability, breeding, adaptability, biotechnology, genomics, healthcare, management and processing of buffalo products.

These studies include research from Bangladesh, other Asian countries, Italy and Canada.