With the current deficit of about 5.0 million metric tons and an additional requirement of 6.0 million tons in 2030, Bangladesh needs to produce 11.0 million metric tons of milk. Therefore, we need to produce more milk through increased per-animal milk production within the next 5 years
a) Breed development: Need to increase the number of crossbreeds. As only about 35-40% of the cattle in the country are crossbreeds, a high potential exists for milk production to continue increasing until the national demand for milk is satisfied (DLS, 2020). We should focus on increasing the productivity per cow but not the number of cows.
b) Increase the coverage under artificial insemination (AI): The current coverage under artificial insemination (AI) is about 65-70% in our country. With a significant penetration of AI services, the percentage of crossbreed animals needs to be increased to improve production and should attempt to reach nearly 90% within the next 5 years. The AI has achieved great success in our country. The demand for fertile embryos is expected to increase within next 3- 5 year
c) Control of diseases: Some major diseases such as FMD, Mastitis, Lumpy Skin Disease, etc. must be controlled to keep the expected production.
d) Increase technical know-how and provide extension services: The government and private sector should work together and provide training, and technical services to improve farmers’ knowledge and skills.
e) Access to finance: According to the Bangladesh Bank BDT 30.57 billion had been disbursed to livestock sub-sector in 2018. Apart from bank loans, MFIs, cooperative funds, and private financing are the most common choices for value chain actors, particularly for small-scale producers. This process should be continued.
f) Formation of producer group/cooperative: Framers group or cooperative should be formed by the government, private sector, and NGOs. Farmers generally have limited bargaining power. If they form a group, they can bargain the price the buyers set.
g) Enabling Environment: Policies, Regulations, and Laws: The National Livestock Policy (NLDP) encouraged the participation of the private sector in livestock development while shifting the role of the public sector to a facilitator and enabler. They approved about USD 93 million (Over BDT 700 crore) to support 620,000 small and medium poultry, dairy, and other livestock farmers. This will help small and medium dairy farmers to sustain in the COVID-19 situation. The government should continue to provide incentives, minimizing VAT, AT, AIT from inputs and outputs of dairy production.
h) Impose reasonable tariff/tax on imported powder milk to protect dairy farmers: It would be a safeguard for dairy farmers. However, the farmers have to increase production efficiency to reduce the costs of milk production to sustain in this competitive market.
i) Improve feeding practices: The farmers who do not use improved feeding practices for their crossbreed cows, they must be encouraged to use the best methods of feeding – using concentrates, enriched straw, and green roughage.
j) Food safety and quality product production: It is always one of the core criteria when consumers purchase certain products. During production, processing, and storage, these products are subjected to contamination by pathogenic bacteria, and producers/processors should consider these points.
k) Improve cattle health: While in some area’s farmers vaccinate their cattle for the primary diseases, and the use of deworming tablets but in other areas, they do not give priority to this issue which needs to be further focused.
l) Animal Health Laboratories: DLS has set up an Animal Health Central Disease Investigation Lab with nine field investigation labs as well as 63 District Veterinary Hospitals equipped with mini-laboratories. (http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/299827/an356e00.pdf 43 Guideline on Animal Vaccine (2018). The farmers must be encouraged to use these laboratory facilities
m) Create a network of stakeholders: For sustainable dairy development, a strong network for sustainable dairy development should be created in our country with all stakeholders (Government, NGOs, policy makers, processors, traders, farmers etc.)