85 percent of livestock vaccines are imported; state minister pushes to expand domestic production

Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku believes research and innovation activities must be strengthened further to reduce import dependence in vaccine production and to build the capacity to produce the necessary vaccines at home.

He made the remarks as chief guest at the inaugural session of the Annual Research Review Workshop-2026, held on Wednesday (November 4) at the conference room of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI).

The state minister said that at present only 15 percent of the country's livestock vaccine demand is produced domestically, while the remaining 85 percent has to be imported.

Noting that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman the government is working to increase domestic production capacity, reduce import dependence and ensure food security, the state minister said: 'Through research, innovation and collective effort, we must build our own capacity and take the country forward.' He called on everyone to play a responsible role from their respective positions for the country's development.

He added: 'New technology has been added to the country's livestock sector through the research and innovation of BLRI scientists, which is also playing a positive role in the national economy. There is no alternative to safe food production to ensure food security. The One Health concept is gaining importance worldwide. Animal health, the safety of animal-derived food and public health are closely interrelated. So everyone concerned must play a responsible role to ensure that every product produced in the livestock sector is safe.'

At the event, the state minister also said: 'Unnecessary and unplanned use of antibiotics in the livestock sector is creating a serious risk to public health. In particular, awareness must be raised to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Training and motivation activities must be strengthened to keep marginal farmers away from the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. If the rational use of antibiotics can be ensured, it will be possible to protect public health and also reduce livestock production costs.'

Praising BLRI's innovations, the state minister said the institute has already handed over two vaccines to the Department of Livestock Services. He expressed hope that the pace of such innovation and technology transfer would increase further in the future.