Dhaka | July 10, 2025 — In a landmark initiative for sustainable agriculture, Bangladesh officially launched the Dairy Value Chain Forum on Wednesday, setting a new direction for the country’s dairy industry with a strong focus on green transformation, inclusive growth, and climate resilience.
The forum is part of the Green Dairy Partnership in Bangladesh, a five-year project supported by the Danida Green Business Partnership (DGBP) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The goal: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% while enhancing productivity and livelihoods across Bangladesh’s southwestern dairy belt.
🧑‍🌾 Empowering 10,000+ Dairy Households — 80% Women
At the heart of the initiative lies a mission to increase income for over 10,000 smallholder dairy farmers, with women comprising 80% of the beneficiary base. The project has long-term plans to scale up to 50,000 households, transforming dairy into a climate-smart and commercially viable sector.
The launch event, held at a prominent city hotel, was attended by:
- Dr. Md. Abu Sufiun, Director General, Department of Livestock Services (Chief Guest)
- Anders B. Karlsen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Denmark
- Dr. Shakila Faruque, Director General, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute
🤝 A Consortium for Change
The forum is backed by a powerful multi-stakeholder consortium including:
- Solidaridad Network Asia
- Arla Foods
- PRAN Dairy
- SEGES Innovation
- IDRN – Bangladesh Agricultural University
- Danish Agriculture & Food Council
Together, they aim to tackle systemic barriers in Bangladesh’s dairy ecosystem through climate-smart technologies, improved feed and animal health systems, and responsible business conduct.
đź„ The “Arla Big Five” Sustainability Model
The event introduced the “Arla Big Five” framework—a cornerstone of the project’s sustainability agenda. The model focuses on:
- Feed Efficiency
- Feed Balance
- Animal Robustness
- Manure Handling
- Efficient Land Use
These pillars will help optimise resources, reduce emissions, and improve dairy yields without overburdening environmental systems.
đź“ What the Forum Will Do
The Dairy Value Chain Forum is envisioned as a long-term platform that:
- Coordinate collaboration between public and private stakeholders
- Builds capacity through training and field support
- Hosts regular forums at cthe ommunity, district, national, and international levels
- Prepares a policy white paper to guide future investments and regulations in Bangladesh’s dairy industry
The initiative comes at a time when dairy sectors across South Asia—including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—are seeking sustainable solutions amid growing environmental concerns, feed price volatility, and rural income inequality.
🔍 Sector Outlook
With consumption of dairy products rising and increasing scrutiny on food systems’ carbon footprints, the Green Dairy Partnership and the newly launched forum are expected to serve as blueprints for climate-smart dairy growth in the region.
The project also aligns with Bangladesh’s broader SDG goals, including climate action, gender equality, and sustainable agriculture.
