Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has emphasised the need to expand Chandanaish’s successful “Swapno Bilash” model across Bangladesh while addressing a youth skills development seminar on Saturday.
Speaking at the “Nobochinta 2025” seminar organised by Swapno Bilash Bidyaniketan at Chandanaish Upazila Parishad auditorium, the adviser stressed that supporting small entrepreneurs is crucial for national progress.
The adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s demographic advantage, noting that, “Young people constitute one-third of our population and represent our greatest resource for development.” She praised the youth-led July Uprising for driving national change while urging continuous skills development, particularly in technology-related fields, to maintain this momentum.
Turning to the fisheries and livestock sector, Adviser Akhtar drew attention to Bangladesh’s unique genetic resources, including the prized Red Chittagong poultry breed and indigenous hill-region varieties found nowhere else in the world.
“These genetic treasures must be preserved as they play vital roles in meeting our nutritional needs,” she asserted. The adviser particularly emphasised protecting the purebred Hilsa, Rui, Katla, and Mrigal fish varieties in Halda River, describing them as invaluable national heritage.
The seminar, chaired by Chandanaish UNO Mohammad Rajib Hossain, featured prominent attendees including Assistant Commissioner (Land) Diplomacy Chakma, East West University Professor Omar Faruq, and leaders from various local organisations. Government officials, young entrepreneurs, students, and journalists participated in the event, which focused on developing youth skills for sustainable development.
Advisor Akhter concluded with a powerful statement about inclusive growth: “We only pursue development that genuinely benefits our people – the citizens themselves must shape our development trajectory.”