The government Buffalo Breeding and Development Farm at Fakirhat in Bagerhat — the country's only state buffalo breeding farm — plays a central role in producing and breeding local and improved buffalo and in spreading buffalo rearing by distributing calves to farmers. The 95-acre farm now holds about 280 animals; 44 of them are in milk, giving about 130 litres a day, which is sold straight from the farm to 50–60 consumers between 10 and 11 am at Tk 70 a kilogram.

Yet 42 of the farm's 52 sanctioned revenue posts have long been vacant through transfers and retirements, leaving just ten officers and staff on the payroll; 22 workers recently taken on through outsourcing keep daily operations going. The sharpest gap is veterinary care: some 42 years after the farm was founded, no post of veterinary surgeon has ever been created, and emergencies depend on outside practitioners.

The farm was established in 1984-85 at Piljanga in Fakirhat upazila with Asian Development Bank financing, starting with two officers and 48 staff and 111 buffaloes. The herd has grown to 280 but the workforce has not kept pace. About 700 kg of concentrate feed mix has to be prepared daily for the 280 animals, adjusted to their number, age and needs.

Farm officials say a permanent veterinary surgeon would allow regular health checks, diagnosis and treatment, breeding management and emergency care to be handled promptly, lifting both productivity and the breeding programme. The farm's purpose goes beyond milk: it breeds improved buffalo and spreads them across the country, and in fiscal 2024-25 it distributed 141 calves to 101 farmers.

Based on BSS's special report from Bagerhat. Source: BSS