Minister: No plans to import livestock ahead of Eid ul-Azha

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman has said that there is no plan to import any livestock during Eid ul-Azha, but there are plans and initiatives have been taken to ensure that livestock are within the purchasing power of people.

He said this while attending an orientation program for newly commissioned officers of the 41st Fisheries Cadre in Savar on Sunday.

The minister said: “We have plans to encourage farmers, stand by them and increase livestock production. Our livestock, such as cattle, and goats, are prone to various diseases. Disease prevention poses a major challenge.

“That is why we have taken initiatives to modernize and activate veterinary hospitals. We have decided to import modern machinery to manage them so that they can serve people well,” the minister added.

He said: “We have already taken the plan to motivate the farmers. For example, we have a World Bank project. If the farmers invest Tk100 in this project, we will give Tk60 from our side.

“Allowing farmers to repay their money over a long period at nominal interest. So surely farmers will show interest and be encouraged,” he added.

Earlier, Commerce State Minister Ahsanul Islam Titu had requested the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to send cattle ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.

Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres also expressed hope about the possibility of getting live cattle from Brazil but said that the process would be complicated.