STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government has deployed 475 mobile veterinary clinics (MVCs) nationwide to provide doorstep livestock services, particularly in remote areas.

The specialised vehicles have been distributed to nearly all upazila livestock offices to ensure farmers receive timely treatment and advisory support, officials said at a workshop on the progress of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) at InterContinental Dhaka yesterday.

Mostofa Kamal, project director of the LDDP under the livestock ministry, said the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in rural animal healthcare. “MVCs are specialised vehicles equipped to provide on-site, door-to-step veterinary services,” he said.

The clinics offer diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, minor surgeries and artificial insemination, helping reduce livestock mortality and improve farmers’ incomes.

So far, 135 kitchen markets have been built and handed over, while modern slaughterhouses are under construction in 13 district towns to ensure a safe and hygienic meat supply chain.

Food, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said an agriculture card will soon be introduced to address the lack of accurate farmer data, noting it “will provide authentic information to improve service delivery.”

State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said the government has waived Tk 10,000 crore in agricultural loans to ease the burden on small farmers and boost production.

Under the prime minister’s leadership, multiple plans are already underway to ensure overall sectoral progress, he added.