Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said the government is working to achieve self-sufficiency in food by conserving, developing and producing domestic animal resources.
She said, “The government is not in favour of importing unsafe foreign animal resources. That is why it is moving forward with the goal of meeting domestic demand through local production and creating markets abroad as well.”
Under the theme “Domestic breeds, modern technology: advancement in livestock”, Livestock Week 2025 is being celebrated simultaneously for the first time across the country, including in the capital Dhaka.
As part of the programme, a colourful rally was brought out on Thursday morning from Manik Mia Avenue and ended at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar field.
Later, the adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock attended a seminar titled “Challenges, prospects and required actions in the livestock sector” as the chief guest at the old trade fair ground.
Emphasising the need to reduce import dependence in the poultry sector, Farida Akhter said, “To reduce dependence on imported maize and soybeans for the poultry industry, these two crops must be included in the agricultural sector and work carried out in a coordinated manner.”
Commenting that Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in 2026 was a political decision, she said, “We have not yet fully achieved the capacities required to exit the LDC category. There is a risk of losses on one hand, but even so we will have to take decisions on this matter.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by small poultry farmers, the adviser said, “It is urgent to resolve the poultry feed crisis. To sustain small farmers, feed-related problems must be prioritised and addressed, and work must be carried out in coordination with them.”
The seminar featured detailed discussions on current challenges in the livestock sector, prospects, safe food production, quality improvement, market systems, research and innovation, sustainable development of small farmers, and future actions. Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, presided over the event.
He said, “The main focus of Livestock Week is to raise awareness among the general public and to undertake activities that will encourage new entrepreneurs in this sector.”
He also called on students to come forward as entrepreneurs in the livestock sector after completing their studies. Abu Taher said discussions had already been held with the SME Foundation regarding training for new entrepreneurs.
