BAU Correspondent : The government is planning to establish a specialised veterinary hospital in every division of the country, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said on Saturday.

He said steps have already been taken to create employment opportunities for veterinary graduates after completing their studies, while more than 500 posts have also been approved in the fisheries sector. “There is no alternative to research in the livestock sector to ensure food security. Increased research will strengthen the country’s capacity to ensure safe food,” the state minister said.

He made the remarks while speaking at the inaugural session of the 32nd scientific conference of the Bangladesh Society for Veterinary Education and Research (BSVER) at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).

The three-day conference was inaugurated by the state minister at the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Auditorium on the university campus. It is being held under the theme, “Translating Veterinary Education and Research into Sustainable Livestock Development and Global Health.”

Scientists, researchers, teachers, veterinarians, policymakers, livestock-sector entrepreneurs and students from home and abroad are participating in the conference. A total of 318 research papers will be presented in 16 parallel scientific sessions, including 116 oral and 202 poster presentations.

The inaugural session was chaired by Professor Dr Md Alimul Islam, president of BSVER and vice-chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU). Mymensingh-4 MP Md Abu Wahab Akand attended the programme as a special guest, while BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan was present as the chief patron. 

Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science Professor Dr Md Bahanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahjahan Khan, and Dr AKM Khasruzzaman, managing director of Inter Agro BD Ltd, were also present. BSVER Executive Committee General Secretary Professor Dr Sukumar Saha, 32nd annual conference organising committee Chairman Professor Dr Md Mahbub Alam, General Secretary Professor Dr Tahsin Farzana, and members of the BSVER executive and organising committees also attended the event.

BAU VC Professor Dr AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan said Bangladesh needs to focus on developing livestock breeds suited to the country’s environment and rural farming systems, alongside highly productive commercial breeds. Research and planning should aim to develop indigenous cattle capable of producing an average of four litres of milk, goats producing one litre of milk, and poultry producing at least 150 eggs a year, he said. He also called for greater involvement of BAU in policymaking and research to ensure the country’s food and nutrition security.