State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Tuesday said the government has been working from the outset to increase egg production to meet domestic demand and build export capacity, while bringing down feed prices to keep the poultry industry afloat.

"We must all work together to produce quality eggs, cut production costs and develop the poultry sector," he said while addressing a discussion on World Egg Day at the Cotton Development Board conference room in the capital.

This year's theme for the day was "Protein That Powers and Protects."

Highlighting a recent export milestone, the state minister said, "This year, we exported hatching eggs to Nigeria for the first time. This is an extremely positive development for our country. If we can produce good-quality products, we will be able to export eggs after meeting domestic demand. Everyone must work together to strengthen the economy and move the country forward."

Stressing food security, he said it is essential to bring feed prices to a tolerable level to reduce production costs in the poultry sector, and that all stakeholders have a role to play.

Tuku also urged those concerned not to use antibiotics in feed under any circumstances.

"We can get protein from eggs at low cost. Eggs are tasty and nutritious. So, including one egg in the daily diet would be good for health," he said.

Emphasising the need to create young entrepreneurs in the poultry sector, the state minister said young people must come forward in the industry.

Their initiatives, he said, will boost economic activity at the grassroots and further strengthen the rural economy.

Speaking on the economic empowerment of rural women, Tuku said, "If we can encourage women to rear ducks and chickens and create opportunities for them to raise the birds in their homestead, they will get eggs and also become financially self-reliant. This will help strengthen women's economic foundation at the grassroots level."

He also assured that the government will provide support in reducing electricity costs for poultry farms, saying the government will help explore how poultry farms can be brought under solar power projects.

Earlier, a rally was held and eggs were distributed free of cost to mark the day.

The Department of Livestock Services, the World's Poultry Science Association–Bangladesh Branch, and the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council jointly organised the programmes.