Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in Mymensingh has long occupied a central position in the country’s agricultural and livestock advancement. Beyond its scenic campus and historic architecture, the university’s contribution to human capital development and applied research remains its most enduring asset. At the heart of this mission lies BAU’s dairy farm, a 70-acre facility that has evolved into a critical hub for education, research and sustainable dairy development.
Established just three years after the founding of the university, the dairy farm has undergone decades of incremental modernisation. What began as a modest teaching unit has today become a multi-functional platform integrating animal husbandry, milk production, research experimentation and student training under one operational framework.
A Diverse and Functional Herd
According to farm officials, the dairy unit currently manages approximately 270 animals, including 70 lactating cows, 120 calves, 31 dry cows, and 49 buffaloes. This diversity allows students and researchers to study a wide range of physiological, nutritional and reproductive variables.
Improved cattle breeds such as Holstein Friesian, Jersey, Shahiwal and Red Chittagong are maintained alongside Murrah, Nili-Ravi and indigenous buffalo breeds. The mixed genetic pool provides a valuable foundation for comparative research on productivity, adaptability and disease resistance under Bangladeshi climatic conditions.
Production with a Purpose
The farm produces an average of 380 litres of milk per day. While a portion is reserved for calf nutrition, the remaining milk is distributed to university faculty, staff, students and nearby residents at Tk 75 per kilogram. In addition to raw milk, the unit produces yoghurt, cheese and ghee, products that have earned consistent appreciation for quality and freshness.
However, production is not the farm’s primary objective. Rather, it functions as a living laboratory, where output supports learning and research rather than commercial scale efficiency.
Hands-on Education and Applied Research
The dairy farm plays a pivotal role in the academic training of graduate and postgraduate students from the Department of Dairy Science. Students gain practical exposure to animal nutrition, milk production systems, disease prevention, breeding management and farm operations, bridging the gap between classroom theory and field realities.
Simultaneously, ongoing research focuses on enhancing milk yield, improving animal health, optimising feed efficiency and controlling infectious diseases. Such applied research is particularly relevant for Bangladesh, where smallholder dairy farmers dominate the sector and productivity gains must be both affordable and scalable.
Graduate student Tamanna described the farm as an indispensable learning platform, noting that direct observation and hands-on practice significantly strengthen professional preparedness. Postgraduate researcher Md. Abdur Rahman emphasised the facility’s research potential, suggesting that with upgraded laboratories and modern equipment, the farm could support international-standard dairy research.
Animal Health and Preventive Management
Animal welfare and biosecurity remain integral to farm operations. Regular vaccination and deworming programmes are conducted, with preventive measures in place against major infectious diseases such as anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease (LSD). Structured feed management further contributes to maintaining herd health and productivity.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Dr AKM Masum, professor of Dairy Science and an executive member of the dairy farm, highlighted the institution’s long-standing role in producing skilled dairy professionals now working both domestically and internationally. However, he also underscored the need for enhanced budgetary support and adoption of modern technologies to expand research capacity and advanced training programmes.
A Model for Integrated Dairy Development
BAU’s dairy farm stands as more than a milk-producing facility. It represents a holistic model of integrated dairy education, research and sustainable livestock development, one that aligns academic objectives with national agricultural priorities.
In a country where the future of dairy depends on skilled professionals, resilient breeds and evidence-based management practices, BAU’s dairy farm offers a blueprint for how universities can anchor progress across the value chain.
