Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Tuesday announced that vaccines for avian influenza and goat pox, developed by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), will soon be commercially produced and become accessible to farmers nationwide. This announcement was made during a ceremony at the ministry’s conference room, where the vaccines were formally handed over to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), paving the way for their commercial production and distribution at the field level.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister emphasized the critical role of the livestock sector in the country’s agricultural economy. He highlighted the potential financial losses farmers face if diseases in the poultry and livestock sectors are not controlled, particularly noting the disruptive impact of avian influenza on poultry production and farm management. Aminur stressed the importance of boosting domestic capacity to develop and produce effective vaccines, viewing the event as a significant step in translating laboratory innovations into practical solutions for farmers.
He further explained that vaccines developed through indigenous research will be crucial in controlling diseases, lowering production costs, and reducing the country’s reliance on imported vaccines. BLRI scientists and researchers, he noted, have created these vaccines using local technology and materials after extensive research and trials, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.
The minister pointed out that laboratory innovations must reach ordinary people to realize their full potential, making it imperative to transition research-based innovations to commercial production and practical use at the farmer level. He also highlighted various government initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture, noting that a significant portion of the population is connected to agriculture, and enhancing this sector would benefit the overall economy.
Aminur mentioned the government’s focus on river re-excavation, improving water flow, protecting juvenile hilsa, and banning the use of harmful fishing nets to preserve hilsa production and quality. Additionally, he noted efforts to create alternative employment opportunities for fishermen, beyond mere food assistance.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, speaking as a special guest, echoed the importance of building domestic vaccine production capacity, which he said would reduce import dependence and gradually lead the country towards self-sufficiency.