Scientists at the Lal Teer Livestock Limited and Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) jointly unveiled the whole genome sequence of water buffalo yesterday for the first time.
Lal Teer Director Tabith M Awal told Dhaka Tribune that it was a draft buffalo genome decoding and would take more time for final sequencing.
Molecular scientist Md Moniruzzaman, who leads the buffalo genome project, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have unveiled the draft of the genome decoding and will improve it to further levels.”
He said since a private company had initiated the genome decoding and they would use it for commercial purposes, it would take more time to improve the decode and do more sequencing and improvements for commercial use.
When asked how long it would take, he denied giving any exact timeframe and said: “It depends on many factors that include efforts from scientists, progress of the work and luck.”
The announcement of the buffalo whole genome sequencing was held at a city hotel yesterday.
Addressing the ceremony, speakers said local cattle and buffalos were less productive and genetic enhancements were very important to improve the livelihood of farmers by increasing farmers’ income through adaptation of different means.
Bangladesh, having about 20 lakh buffaloes, stands ninth in Asia in terms of population; however, there is still a big gap between the demand and supply of both milk and meat, Awal said.
“Bangladesh imports 80% of its milk to meet the demands since it produces only 51ml milk per-day against the FAO-recommended 250ml-per-day-per-capita and 24.2g meat per-day-per-capita against the FAO-recommended 120g,” he added.
He said in Bangladesh, 3% or less of the total milk production was buffalo milk, while it was 60% in India or Pakistan. In Bangladesh buffaloes yield 2 litres milk per day while it is 10 litres in the other countries, reproductive efficiency is 90 days in Bangladesh while 300 days in others, and in Bangladesh, per animal weight is 300kg while it is 600kg in the other countries.
The company has collected samples from Subarna Char at Bhola, and some parts of Thakurgaon and Dinajpur.
To minimise the gap, speakers suggested using buffalo production saying there was a phenomenal potential opportunity to promote milk production through intensive buffalo production both in household and commercial farming along with cattle.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, prime minister’s international affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi, Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh Li Jun, Charge de affairs of US Embassy in Bangladesh Jon Danilowicz and Chairman of Beijing Genomics Institute Jian Wang also spoke on the occasion.