Fisheries, Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid on Wednesday urged scientists to dedicate themselves to basic, innovative, and quality research focused on food nutrition, safety, and public health, rather than relying solely on budget allocations.
Rashid emphasised that there is no alternative to research for achieving sustainable development and ensuring food security within the country.
He made these remarks during an exchange of views with officials at Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) conference room in Mymensingh, following an inspection of the institute’s activities.
Rashid called for securing patents for agricultural research and implementing modern, productive projects to keep pace with changing times. To better access global markets, he stressed the urgent need to safely produce fish feed raw materials according to international standards, with the goal of increasing safe production and expanding exports.
In response to a query from journalists regarding the provision of electricity at subsidised rates for aquaculture, similar to the agriculture sector, Rashid described the demand as “highly logical”.
He assured that necessary steps would be taken after the matter is discussed with the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources.
Earlier in the day, Rashid inspected various advanced hatcheries at BFRI campus. He reviewed breeding protocols and production lines for several high-value and indigenous species, including Subarna Rui, Mekong Pangas, Mahseer, Small Mahseer, Freshwater Pearl, Khoksa, Dhela, native Sarputi, Baam (Eel), Bhagna, native Tit Puti, Ghaura, Monosex Tilapia, small shrimp, Galda Chingri, and Kuchia.
Additionally, he inspected modern cage culture setups for Shing, Gulsha, Pabda, and Magur, issuing strategic guidelines to the respective departmental heads.
The meeting was attended by Md Delwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Anuradha Bhadra, director general of BFRI; Nripendra Nath Biswas, divisional director of Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh; Md Latiful Islam, director (Finance & Administration), BFRI; Md Amirul Islam, director (Research & Planning), BFRI; and Md Shahidul Islam, chief scientific officer, BFRI, alongside other senior regional officials.
