The Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock (BCSL) Project, a pioneering initiative designed to improve production of milk and meat and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in Bangladesh, launched at the Hotel Le Meridien in Dhaka on Sunday.
ACDI/VOCA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering broad-based economic growth, is managing BCSL with funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The BCSL Project aims to enhance efficiency, promote climate resilience, and foster sustainable innovations in the livestock sector. This innovative project will significantly boost livestock productivity, improve market access and implement climate-smart practices across 16 targeted districts, ultimately benefiting over 250,000 livestock farmers.
The event, themed “Livestock Leap: Elevating Efficiency, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Innovations” will feature key presentations and discussions led by distinguished guests.
Md Abdur Rahman MP, minister of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), graced the event as the Chief guest.
Other notable speakers include Dr Nathu Ram Sarker, executive director of Krishi Gobesona Foundation and former director general of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Dr SM Jahangir Hossain, director general of BLRI, Sylvia J Megret, CEO and president of ACDI/VOCA, Sarah Gilleski, agricultural Attaché, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA, Dr Md Reajul Huq, director general of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) chaired the event.
The BCSL Project is funded through USDA’s Food for Progress initiative. USDA’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and economic development is crucial to the success of this project.
Their extensive expertise and substantial financial support are instrumental in driving the transformative goals of the BCSL Project.
The project will introduce advanced production technologies, improve animal health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Bangladesh’s national climate goals.
By linking producers to end buyers and increasing access to investment capital, the project aims to grow livestock sales by $940 million over its five-year period.
The BCSL Project underscores the joint commitment of the governments of Bangladesh and the USA to advancing sustainable development goals, particularly those related to climate action, poverty alleviation, and food security.
By harnessing the potential of climate-smart livestock, BCSL aims to build a resilient and prosperous future for its livestock sector and rural communities.
