Bangladesh dairy development board holds first board meeting
The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board was held this morning in the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The board was formed under the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board Act 2023, with the objective of increasing the production of milk and dairy products for balanced nutrition, setting and regulating quality standards, ensuring effective marketing, and streamlining related activities.
The 15-member board meeting was chaired by Farida Akhter, Chairman of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board and Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, served as Vice-Chairman of the board.
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Speaking at the meeting, Farida Akhter said that regular board meetings are essential to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the responsibilities stipulated by law. She said that, to ensure the supply of safe milk and dairy products to people across the country, the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board's activities must expand beyond its central office and reach nationwide.
She stressed the need to identify milk and dairy production hubs, establish an adequate number of branch offices, and develop an appropriate human resource structure to support the board's expanded operations.
Vice-Chairman Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber said that, following a decision by the Ministry of Public Administration, Joint Secretary Ms Shahina Ferdousi has been appointed on deputation as Executive Director of the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board. She will also serve as the board's Member-Secretary.
He said the meeting was convened to present the board's statutory responsibilities to the directors for discussion, decision,and approval.
The meeting also discussed the adoption of extensive publicity and awareness campaigns to increase public understanding of the board's activities. Board members expressed consensus on the issue.
Among those present at the meeting were Dr Md Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services; Dr Shakila Faruk, Director General of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute; Zakaria, Chairman (Additional Secretary) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority; Commander Zahidul Amin (retd), President of Bangladesh Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited and member of the National Cooperative Union; Md Mohsin, Joint Secretary of the Health Services Division; Mohammad Enamul Haque, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; Ms Dilsad Begum, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Professor Gautam Kumar Debnath of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University; board members representing dairy cooperatives and farms; and Ms Shahina Ferdousi, Member-Secretary.
