Bangladesh's annual liquid milk production capacity has reached 1.55 crore (15.538 million) metric tons, according to Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid. This announcement was made while responding to a starred question in the Jatiya Sangsad. The production capacity is slightly below the annual demand of 1.62 crore (16.233 million) metric tons recorded in the 2024–25 fiscal year.
Government Initiatives to Boost Milk Production
The minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at ensuring the supply of pure, safe, and quality milk to meet the growing demand. These initiatives include the establishment of an internationally accredited quality control laboratory with ISO certification to ensure the quality of livestock products and strengthen food safety.
Infrastructure Development for Milk Collection and Preservation
Under various development projects of the Department of Livestock Services, 40 milk chilling plants and 466 milk analysers—one for each of 466 upazilas—have been supplied. These facilities enable rapid and accurate testing of the purity and quality of liquid milk, improving milk collection, preservation, and quality control.
Establishment of Dairy Hubs and Processing Plants
The Matching Grant Programme has led to the establishment of 15 dairy hubs, 300 village milk collection centres, and 186 small-scale milk processing plants across different districts and upazilas. These facilities have significantly strengthened the collection, processing, preservation, and marketing of safe and quality milk.
Significance and Future Outlook
These initiatives are crucial for meeting the country’s growing demand for dairy products. The establishment of quality control laboratories and milk processing plants ensures that the milk supplied is safe and of high quality. The government's continuous efforts in this sector are expected to bridge the gap between production and demand in the coming years.
