The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock imported some 3.5 million doses of high-quality vaccines for the country's cattle from Russia to curb foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to offset losses of farmers amid the Covid-19 crisis.
As the country's livestock sector will face losses due to this disease, the government has taken initiative to import about 30 million doses of vaccine at a cost of Tk 1.96 billion under a PPR disease eradication and the FMD disease control project.
In the first phase, over 13. 71 million doses of vaccine worth Tk 900 million (90 crore) have been ordered from Russia, according to ministry data.
Foot and mouth disease, also known as FMD, is the most- deadly infectious disease of cattle in terms of economy and productivity.
The vaccines will play an effective role in reducing the losses of farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Through this project, a large number of cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep are being vaccinated, which is a landmark step in the development of the country's livestock sector.
The vaccine has recently been imported under ‘the PPR disease eradication and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control project’ being implemented by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) under the ministry, according to the ministry data.
The imported vaccines have already been sent to Pabna, Sirajganj, Manikganj and Bhola districts.
Some 967,500 doses of vaccine to Pabna, some 1. 067 million to Sirajganj, some 670,000 to Manikganj, some 795,000 to Bhola district have already been sent, the ministry data showed.
To this effect in a statement issued on Tuesday, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said to control FMD for cattle is a very vital issue in the international arena as it provides the economic benefits for the livestock farmers and helps export the country's livestock products to the international market.
Of total vaccines, some 3.5 million doses of vaccine have recently arrived in the country from Russia, the minister stated.
Through this, a large number of cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep are being vaccinated, which is a landmark step in the development of the country's livestock sector under the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government, he said.
In the Covid-19 crisis, the government is committed to reducing farm losses and developing the livestock sector, the minister added.
sajibur@gmail.com