Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has issued a compelling call for integrating food safety measures with food security initiatives, stating that Bangladesh’s nutritional strategy must address both availability and safety simultaneously.
Speaking at the Divisional Progress Review Workshop organised by the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) at Barisal’s Hotel Grand Park, Akhtar emphasised that training programmes for farmers should equally prioritise safe protein production and basic food security.
The adviser delivered a stark warning about public health priorities: “Merely increasing the number of hospitals becomes meaningless if we fail to maintain food safety standards.” She elaborated on how ensuring food safety could serve as preventive healthcare, potentially reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer.
This dual approach, she argued, would address both nutritional deficiencies and growing public health challenges.
Turning to dairy production, Akhtar acknowledged Bangladesh’s ongoing reliance on milk imports despite gradual improvements through LDDP interventions. She positioned increased domestic milk production as a solution to multiple challenges – bridging protein gaps while simultaneously strengthening national food security.
The adviser particularly spotlighted Barisal division’s untapped potential, noting its ideal conditions for cattle, goat, poultry, and especially buffalo farming. Highlighting Bhola district’s successful buffalo farms as a model, she advocated for expanded buffalo milk production to tap into international markets.
The workshop revealed several innovative programmes, including a school nutrition initiative distributing 200ml of milk daily to students, demonstrating measurable improvements in children’s immunity and physical development. Discussion also covered practical measures to reduce production costs, such as promoting grass cultivation as alternative fodder and extending agricultural electricity tariffs to livestock operations.
Akhtar specifically encouraged greater participation from women farmers and youth entrepreneurs, urging them to move beyond traditional employment models and lead sectoral transformation.
Chaired by Livestock Director General Dr Md Abu Sufian, the event featured insights from Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Delowar Hossain and detailed technical presentations by LDDP Project Director Dr Md Jasim Uddin and Chief Technical Coordinator Dr Md Golam Rabbani. Participants unanimously emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to achieve sustainable production growth at local levels.
Concluding the workshop, Faridha Akhtar conducted an inspection tour of key facilities including district dairy development centers, demonstration farms, and Rahmatpur’s wet market, demonstrating the government’s commitment to hands-on oversight of livestock development initiatives.