RAJSHAHI, April 27, 2024 (BSS) - Veterinary and animal husbandry specialists here urged all concerned for a substantial and sustainable promotion of the region's veterinary sector to meet protein demand.
 
They attributed that the contribution of the sector is immense in terms of meeting up the protein demand and socio-economic development.
 
They viewed that boosting production of both food grains and animal resources has become an urgent need to build a healthy nation.
 
The observation came at a post-rally seminar titled 'Veterinarians are indispensable health workers' at Rajshahi University (RU) here today.
 
The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of RU organised the seminar at Momtazur Rahman Gallery of Agriculture Building to mark the World Veterinary Day-2024. "Veterinarians are essential health workers" was the theme for the day this year.

Associate Prof Jasim Uddin presented the keynote paper.

 
Earlier in the morning, a colorful rally was brought from the premises of the administrative building. Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar, Pro-VC Prof Humayun Kabir and a large number of teachers and students of the department joined the rally.

With Prof Dr SM Kamruzzaman in the chair, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Dean of Veterinary and Animal Science Faculty Prof Mozaffar Hossain, former dean Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder and Chairman of the department Prof Moizur Rahman.
 
Prof Mozaffar Hossain said the livestock sector could be developed through the best uses of existing natural resources.
 
He stressed the need for uplifting the sector for food security, self-employment and poverty reduction. Due importance needs to be given on adopting modern technology, promotion of high yielding varieties and farmers training to overcome the crisis.
 
Large-scale farming of fodder could further develop the livestock sector to contribute immensely to fulfilling the protein deficiency in the country, he added.
 
In his remarks, Prof Dr SM Kamruzzaman said collaborative efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned has become an urgent need for protecting public health through ensuring quality of animal source foods.
 
Adulterated and unhygienic animal source foods always push public health towards endangered conditions. So, forging social resistance against any ill-motive of making the foods unhygienic has become crucial.
 
He said the number of patients suffering from various contagious and non-contagious diseases has increased to a great extent due to the rise of contaminated foods.
 
This is the high time to contain the problem collectively, he added.
Prof Kamruzzaman also talked about the prevention of zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance together with ensuring food security and safe food to the public in general as a whole.