Adviser on Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhtar on Wednesday emphasised the need to conserve and develop indigenous cattle breeds to enhance livestock productivity in Bangladesh.

Speaking at a national stakeholders’ validation workshop titled “Scaling-up Livestock Climate Actions to Enhance Nationally Determined Contributions – Phase II” held at Hotel Sarina in Dhaka, she said the country’s indigenous cattle breeds have survived for centuries, adapting to local conditions and overcoming various adversities.

The unique genetic traits within these local breeds are a valuable resource for sustainable livestock development in the future,” she added.

Highlighting the risks of focusing solely on crossbred cattle, the adviser urged prioritising the preservation of indigenous breeds.

She noted that long-term heat waves, climate uncertainty, and production disruption are now among the biggest challenges facing Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sector.

She stressed that Bangladeshi researchers, scientists, officials from the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Fisheries, and field-level personnel must regularly participate in global discussions, including at COP conferences.

Farida Akhtar also pointed out that the high greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries’ food consumption and lifestyles often unfairly cast blame on climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.

She added that sector-specific data collection, measurement, reporting, and verification systems remain underdeveloped in the country.

The workshop was chaired by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Md Abu Sufian. Special guests included Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, and Dr. Shakila Faruk, Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. FAO livestock and climate change expert Jean De Dieu Ayabagabo also addressed the workshop.