Government has undertaken a Tk 3.52 billion project to create employment for flat land ethnic minorities and meet their protein demands.
Leaving out the three hilly districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban, other ethnic minorities spread across 210 upazilas of 29 districts will be served by the project, say t officials of the Ministry of fisheries and livestock.
A decision has been taken to produce better quality grass and improve the management of livestock with the help of technology.
By creating a coordinated system to produce livestock, the project will create employment among the backward communities and improve living standards.
A project in this regard has been submitted to the planning ministry with ECNEC approval.
Under the project, 138,635 workers will be trained and the manufactured produce will be marketed.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said: “The project is aligned to the 7th five year plan plus objectives and will create jobs for people from ethnic minorities.”
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Ashraf Ali Khan said: “Once the project is implemented, ethnic minorities will learn the processes to produce better quality grass and modern day livestock management.”
A member of a flat land ethnic community, adds: “The government almost forgot that there are minority communities on flat land; we welcome the project and once it’s implemented, minorities will get benefits. Their protein demands will be met and jobs created.”