He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the LSD and goatpox vaccination campaign, organized by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), at Raichu Eidgah Field in Adarsha Sadar Upazila, Cumilla, on Friday.

The minister said that about 2.5 crore doses of LSD vaccine are needed in the country every year. Although it was necessary to rely on foreign vaccines until now, initiatives have been taken to develop and produce the vaccine domestically. He also emphasized regular vaccination of livestock at scheduled times to keep them healthy.

Urging farmers to cultivate high-nutrition grass developed by BLRI to reduce livestock feed costs, the minister said the new variety of grass contains about 18% protein. Cultivating this grass would make it possible to produce better quality animal feed at lower cost and reduce dependence on grain feed.

Saying that a new programme is being taken for the preservation and expansion of Black Bengal goats, he said union-based entrepreneurship development, training, supply of improved breed goats and marketing support will be provided. In this programme, women and youth entrepreneurs will be given priority.

Under the campaign, the application of 2,000 doses of LSD and 100 doses of goatpox vaccine for livestock in Adarsha Sadar upazila has begun. Officials of BLRI and the Department of Livestock, along with local farmers, were present at the event.