Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Sunday warned against the use of harmful pesticides that compromise nutritional value, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring public health and nutrition security.  She made these remarks while addressing a roundtable discussion on “Opportunities, Experiences and Challenges in Implementing Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Services at the District Level,” held at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar.  The adviser pointed out that industrial pollution remains a major obstacle to safe food production, with rivers and seas increasingly contaminated. “Microplastics have been found in fish. We are also opposing golden rice, as there are many local foods rich in zinc that can address the deficiency,” she said.  Highlighting the need for grassroots-level awareness, the advisor called for a social movement to promote nutritional consciousness and emphasised empowering women to achieve this goal. She also stressed the importance of safe practices in fish and livestock feed production, underscoring the need to focus on native fish varieties and region-specific livestock. "Nutrition is a fundamental right and ensuring it requires coordinated efforts from all sectors. Departments and agencies must work together to raise awareness on nutritional security," she added.  The advisor also expressed concerns about prioritising farmed fish over native species and the unsafe practices in animal feed. "Increasing local fish production is essential, as we have significant biodiversity that must be preserved,” she noted.  On women's empowerment, Farida Akhter stated, "Nearly half of pregnant women in Bangladesh suffer from anemia. Women's malnutrition is closely tied to their lack of rights. For the betterment of future generations, both men and women must be made aware of nutritional needs. However, women are key agents of change and empowering them will enable them to take a stand."  River, forestland encroachers to face strict action: Rizwana The roundtable was moderated Samakal’s Online-in-charge Goutam Mandal and presided over by Sayka Siraj, country director of Nutrition International. Nutrition International’s National Program Manager Iftia Zerin presented the keynote paper.  Later in the afternoon, the adviser visited the Cox’s Bazar district's ‘Dried Fish Processing Industry Establishment (1st Revised)’ project.