Fisheries and Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Wednesday urged scientists to dedicate themselves to basic, innovative, and quality research focusing on food nutrition, safety, and public health, rather than solely relying on budget allocations.

“There is no alternative to research for achieving sustainable development and ensuring food security in the country,” he said while addressing a view-exchange meeting with officials at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) conference room in Mymensingh, following an inspection of the institute’s activities.

The minister called for securing patents for agricultural research and implementing modern, productive projects to keep pace with changing times.

To tap into global markets, he emphasised the urgent need to safely produce fish feed raw materials maintaining international standards, aiming to increase safe production and expand exports, according to a handout.

In response to a journalist's query regarding supplying electricity at subsidised rates for aquaculture- similar to the agriculture sector, Aminur termed the demand "highly logical" and assured that necessary steps will be taken after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

Earlier in the day, the minister inspected various advanced hatcheries at the BFRI campus.

He reviewed the breeding protocols and production lines for 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.

Aminur also inspected the modern cage culture setups for Shing, Gulsha, Pabda, and Magur, issuing strategic guidelines to respective departmental heads.

Among other, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, BFRI Director General Dr Anuradha Bhadra and Divisional Director of the Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh Nripendra Nath Biswas were present.