Local LSD vaccine to cut cattle farmers’ costs: Minister
Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid on Friday said Bangladesh's locally developed vaccine against lumpy skin disease (LSD) would lower costs for cattle farmers and strengthen nationwide livestock protection.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a campaign to administer LSD and goat pox vaccines developed by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) at Raichu Eidgah Field in Adarsha Sadar upazila of Cumilla, according to a press release.
The minister said LSD caused severe financial losses to cattle farmers. He added that the commercial rollout of locally produced vaccines would lower costs, increase availability and improve the sustainability of the livestock sector.
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Bangladesh requires around 25 million doses of the LSD vaccine annually, he said.
The country previously depended on imported vaccines, but domestic vaccine development initiatives have now begun, the minister added.
Addressing farmers, he stressed the importance of routine vaccination in maintaining healthy herds and urged them to follow vaccination schedules strictly.
He warned that an outbreak on one farm could spread rapidly and devastate neighbouring farms.
The minister also advocated cultivating a newly developed high-protein grass variety to reduce livestock feeding costs.
Developed by BLRI, the grass contains around 18% protein and could help farmers produce nutrient-rich fodder at a lower cost while reducing dependence on commercial concentrated feed, he said.
Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid also announced a government initiative to conserve and expand the traditional Black Bengal goat breed.
Under the programme, union-level entrepreneurs will receive training, high-quality breeding stock and marketing assistance, with priority given to women and young people.
Describing the Black Bengal goat as an important national asset, the minister highlighted international demand for its meat and leather.
He said planned expansion and scientific management of the breed could strengthen the rural economy, create employment and increase export earnings.
BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruq chaired the event. Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Director General Md Shahzaman Khan attended as a special guest.
Senior officials from DLS and BLRI, local political leaders and livestock farmers also attended the programme.
Under the campaign, supported by DLS, the administration of 2,000 doses of the LSD vaccine and 100 doses of the goat pox vaccine was formally launched in the upazila.
