Recognising buffalo yoghurt as a GI product is a necessary step forward

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said, "Buffaloes are our assets. Buffalo farmers are our assets.

Buffalo meat contains lower cholesterol, so we must promote its consumption. Various types of buffalo yoghurt are found nationwide, and efforts should be made to recognise buffalo yoghurt as a Geographical Indication (GI) product."

Urging for support for buffalo farmers, she added, "Data must be collected from the field level, and research should be conducted on the findings."

The adviser made these remarks as the chief guest at a workshop on reviewing the progress of the 'Buffalo Research and Development (First Revision)' project, implemented by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI). The event was held this afternoon at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium.

The livestock adviser said, "Climate change is now a reality. We must prioritise buffaloes as they can adapt to climate change conditions. Buffaloes have long faced discrimination, and to promote buffalo farming, work must be done at the community level. Experienced buffalo farmers can identify when buffaloes come into heat and hold extensive knowledge about them. This traditional knowledge must be translated into scientific terms."
She further stressed that research activities should be transferred to the revenue sector after the project ends to ensure no continuity gaps.

The adviser remarked, "If we want to diversify protein sources in our food supply, including dairy, we do not receive adequate support. What kind of development are we achieving if we fail to develop our cattle, goats, buffaloes, ducks, and chickens? The concept of development itself needs to change. What progress are we making if we cannot support buffalo farmers?"
She also said, "We are learning more about buffaloes through research. The way researchers at BLRI dedicate their emotions and love towards their institution is inspiring. The outcomes of BLRI's research on animal protein must be shared with the public. The results of such research should not remain confined to a small scale but must be expanded further."

"I do not wish to remain a guest; I want to be involved. I do not want to be deprived of the opportunity to contribute," she added, assuring full ministry support in addressing BLRI's challenges.
BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruq presided over the event. Special guests included Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, BARC Executive Chairman Dr Najmun Nahar Karim, and Department of Livestock Services Director General Dr Md Abu Sufian.

BLRI Additional Director Dr ABM Mustanur Rahman delivered the welcome speech, followed by a presentation on the objectives, progress, and achievements of the Buffalo Research and Development project by its project director and BLRI's Chief Scientific Officer Dr Gautam Kumar Deb.

Also present were former BLRI Director General Dr Talukdar Nurunnahar, retired Professor Dr Md Omar Faruq of Bangladesh Agricultural University, former BLRI director generals, professors and teachers from various universities, and representatives from different organisations.