‘Increase productivity to develop living standard of ultra poor'

Speakers at a workshop yesterday underscored the need for proper training and supply of vaccine to increase productivity in the livestock sector.
They also asked for coordination between private and government organisations concerned to help ultra poor develop their life standard.
The workshop titled 'The combined role of livestock division of the government in developing the life standard of ultra poor sector' was organised by the Brac under its 'Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction: Targeting the Ultra Poor (CFPR-TUP)' project in the city.
Speaking about the CFPR-TUP project Rabeya Yasmin, programme chief of the project, said it differs from other poverty alleviation programmes in the way that the CFPR-TUP is aimed to reduce poverty through handing over the assets.
Proper monitoring is another distinguished feature of the project as Brac staff strictly monitor the utilisation of the assets mostly rearing of livestock in 21 districts of the country, she added.
Rabeya urged the livestock department to provide training to this ultra poor section for proper rearing up of their livestock so that they can develop their life standard.
While presenting a paper on the CFPR-TUP Project, Wazedul Islam Pahloan, senior area manager of the project, said Brac initiated the programme in 2002 with a view to develop the life standard of the ultra poor section of the country.
He said CFPR-TUP project also conducts enterprise development training, social mobilisation and health care programme to integrate the ultra poor section into the mainstream of development activities.
He, however, pointed out that lack of adequate supply of vaccine and skilled manpower in the livestock department remain a major barrier to the success of the CFPR-TUP project.
Describing livestock sector as promising, A Salek, project chief of Agro and Salt Industries of Brac, called for improved technology to increase the productivity in the country's livestock sector.
He also stressed the need for proper coordination between private and government organisations concerned for the success of different poverty reduction programmes.
Sunil Chandra Ghosh, director general, and Dr Shanti Ranjan Das, director of livestock directorate, also spoke on the occasion.
Around 50 representatives from the livestock division of the government and non-government organisations participated in the daylong workshop.