National Agricultural Technology Program Phase II Project (NATP-2), Livestock part under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh is one of the most significant projects which has been in progress altogether in 270 upazila throughout the country.
In around 8082 common interest groups (CIG) of 2694 unions, 135 Livestock Extension Officer (LEO) have been rendering a relentless endeavor to increase livestock productivity on cooperative basis to improve national agricultural productivity, market linkage and farm income, with a particular focus on small, marginal and female farmers.
Following the cooperative activities 207750 CIG farmers and more than 600 thousands non-CIG farmers have been continuously increasing the livestock productivity and improving their economic status as well.
The Project Development Objective (PDO) of National Agricultural Technology Program – Phase II Project (NATP-2) is to increase agricultural productivity of smallholder farms and improve smallholder farmers’ access to markets in selected districts.
To ensure the objective fruitful, NATP-2 Livestock component has been working tirelessly to maintain national economic growth by marketing the milk, eggs and meat produced, including increasing the productivity of farmers' livestock during the Corona outbreak.
To continue the production of livestock in case of pandemic, the livestock extension officers of NATP have continued the door-to-door sale of mobile milk, eggs and vaccination activities of the farmers maintaning social distance.
In this situation, in order to eliminate the problem of cattle feed, improved varieties of grass are being expanded by providing grass farming exhibitions among the farmers appearing in person or providing emergency medical services over the telephone.
Dr. Enam Ahmed, President, Livestock Extension Officers Association of NATP-2 said, “at present, the livestock extension officers of the NATP-2 project are working under the direct guidance of the Upazila Livestock Officers (ULO) to ensure safe animal feed production to alleviate the famine in the post-Corona country that undoubtedly deserve praise. Every livestock officer / employee including NATP-2 LEOs is eligible for recognition as a Corona Fighter.
The sale of mobile milk, eggs and meat by NATP-2 under the direct supervision of the Department of Livestock has been widely appreciated across the country. As a result, on the one hand, milk, eggs and meat produced by the farmers involved in such production activities can be sold at fair prices and on the other hand, the buyers can buy milk, eggs and meat at fair prices.”
Dr. Mushfiqur Rahman, General Secretary, Livestock Extension Officers Association said, “In this global problem of Covid-19, the livestock extension officers of NATP-2 are performing other administrative duties in a very efficient manner.
They have been working relentlessly and efficiently as a tag officer in the distribution of relief to the people affected in Corona in different upazilas of the country and in the program of selling rice at the price of Tk 10 per kg. The Livestock Extension Officers (LEO) of NATP-2 express their cordial request to take necessary steps to ensure that such activities continue in the future.
