Boosting lamb farming to meet protein demands stressed

Boosting lamb farming can be the best way of meeting the existing demands of animal protein besides improving living and livelihood conditions of the people, particularly the marginalized and ethnic minorities, in the region.

Promotion of commercial sheep farming can also be an effective means of exploring the vast opportunity to boost woolen fiber and production of more meat and milk.

Academics and experts made the observation while distributing certificates among participants of a two-day intensive lamb farmers training here Wednesday afternoon.

On behalf of the ‘Up scaling of Small Scale Sheep Rearing Model for Lamb Production in Barind area’ project, the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Rajshahi University organized the training at its Narkelbaria campus supported by Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF).

Some 40 people including 25 women from different villages in the district took part in the two-day training course in two batches.

KGF Executive Director Dr Nathuram Sarker accompanied by Co-investigator of the project Prof Akhtarul Islam, Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder and Dr Hemayetul Islam distributed the certificates.

Dr Nathuram Sarker said quick economic growth of the region can be possible through proper uses and development of livestock resources and urged the rural people to boost commercial sheep farming to meet the nutritional demand.

Currently, the country is producing 3,000 tonnes of wool from 34 lakh sheep that are being used to make blanket, shawl, bed-sheet and some other winter clothing.

As a whole, the project intends to boost the supply of nutritious lamb meat with improving the living and livelihood conditions of the marginal farmers through rearing lambs. (BSS)