Ms. Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh and Mr. Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, MP, Honorable Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh visited the Dairy Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) of the USAID Agricultural Extension Support Activity (Ag Extension Project) at Lebutola Union, Jessore on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) in consortium with CARE Bangladesh and mPower is implementing this USAID funded project in 12 districts of the southwest and central areas of Bangladesh namely, Barisal, Jessore, and Khulna regions.
The visitors observed different activities of the improved practices of dairy productions at Lebutola. They learnt about the benefits of vaccination, de-worming and disease management of the cows from the beneficiaries in presence of the local Vaccinator and the Veterinary Field Assistant (VFA). The Artificial Inseminator (AI) was also present at the event with AI materials and instruments. Demonstration on feed management on green fodder (Napier grass) and concentrated feed were also shown to the visitors. The farmer ICT Champion also demonstrated the ICT apps with smart phone to the visitors. The local service providers (LSPs) were also present on the spot during the visit.
The visitors were happy to observe the improved practices on Dairy productions and also appreciated the linkages between the FPG members and the public and private extension agents and market actors. They discussed different issues of dairy productions from the dairy farmers and also learnt about the challenges they face in dairy farming.
Mr. Bidyuth K. Mahalder, the Chief of Party of the USAID Ag Extension Project, Mr. Paul Sabatine, the Acting Mission Director of the USAID and Mr. Farhad Ghaussy, Office Director, Economic Growth Office and Mr Ajay Kumar Roy, Director General of Livestock department were present during the visit. The District Commissioner of Jessore Dr. Humayun Kabir along with other representatives of the US and Bangladesh Governments and the Ag Extension Project were also present at the occasion.