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A BNP government in the early part of the decade of the nineties could substantially help increase local milk production that led to the import of powdered milk falling to about one fourth of its previous level. It was astounding that a poor country like Bangladesh having facility to increase milk production because of its largely agrarian features, was importing powdered milk valued at Taka 2.0 billion (200 crore) annually, on an average. This amount was reduced to about Taka 500 million (50 crore) as a result of right policies of the past BNP government. Unfortunately, the policy was reversed later by the success government and, as an outcome, the local milk production that was going up started declining.
But the present BNP government also does not seem to be so keen on producing milk and milk products locally. Thus, the import of these products is rising again. The government should go for a multi-facet programme to increase milk production, market the same successfully, create refrigeration and other preservation facilities, plus stimulate production of milk-based products such as ghee, butter, cheese and cud.
Not only, the import of powdered milk and milk foods presently constitute a drain on the foreign currency reserve, the same is also hazardous considerably for public health. In their lust for profits, importers of powdered milk and milk foods have been importing even sub-standard products suspected for radioactivity. With local production rising, consumers are likely to experience benefits from the consumption of fresh milk.
Presently, a number of agro-products such as spices, pulses and cooking oil are also regularly imported at huge costs. But the country was once self-sufficient in these products. It is possible to again become self-sufficient in these products if promotional programmes are taken up and implemented by the government to increase their production in the country.
Habibul Bashar
DOHS, Dhaka
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