Calling the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) as a gene bank for local species, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has asked the institute to focus on adapting foreign breeds while prioritising the conservation of native ones. The adviser came up with the instruction at the inaugural session of the “Annual Research Review Workshop-2024” at BLRI in Savar on Sunday. Farida Akhtar stressed the need for BLRI to issue red alerts, if necessary, to safeguard endangered species, and called for creating a detailed map pinpointing regions abundant in specific livestock species, an initiative she described as crucial for efficient management and conservation efforts. The adviser warned against importing meat, labelling such a decision as ‘suicidal’. “Many foreign companies have proposed supplying meat at lower prices, but we have the capacity to enhance domestic meat production,” Farida  said, urging stakeholders to focus on year-round meat demand rather than limiting efforts to the sacrificial season alone. About the surging price of meat, she called for identifying the root causes and instructed the BLRI to boost productivity through local breed development. AL's accomplices tasked with destabilising country: Jamaat Ameer The session, presided over by BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruque, was attended by several prominent figures, including Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Vice Chancellor AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Additional Secretary of Fisheries and Livestock Ministry ATM Mostafa Kamal, and Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Director General Reajul Huq.  

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has outlined its 100-day initiatives under the interim government, emphasising efforts to ensure a steady supply of essential animal protein—fish, meat, milk and eggs—to address the population's nutritional needs. Speaking at a press conference held at the ministry's conference room on Wednesday, Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter stressed the importance of the ministry’s responsibility of meeting citizens' daily nutritional demands while safeguarding fisheries and livestock. “Ensuring adequate nutrition, particularly for women, men and children, is a vital responsibility of the state. The success or failure of this ministry directly impacts this objective,” she said. With an estimated Tk 100cr fish trade annually, Kushtia’s Daulatpur still lacks wholesale market Over the past 100 days, the ministry has initiated administrative reforms to enhance the efficiency of its two departments. This included transfers, promotions, and addressing inequalities affecting officials. The adviser expressed optimism that these changes would improve operational efficiency and departmental effectiveness. August Floods The August floods wreaked havoc on fisheries and livestock, causing massive losses across 88 upazilas in 13 districts. The fisheries sector suffered damages in 197,166 ponds and farms, resulting in the loss of 107,517 metric tonnes of fish and shrimp worth Tk 1,899 crore. Dhaka, Delhi discuss consular access for Indian fishermen, repatriation of Bangladeshi fishermen The livestock sector was similarly devastated, affecting 260,000 cattle, 93,000 goats, and over 34 lakh chickens, with 39,000 cattle, 16,000 goats, 21 lakh chickens, and 2 lakh ducks perishing. In total, over 782,000 families were impacted, with damages in this sector alone amounting to Tk 428 crore. Rehabilitation Initiatives The government launched various measures to assist farmers and households in flood-affected regions. A total of 220 metric tons of animal feed, 75 metric tons of hay, 357 metric tons of silage, and 60,000 improved grass cuttings were distributed. Additionally, a process is ongoing to provide animal feed to 12,000 farmers with support from the FAO. Emergency veterinary services treated 2.68 lakh animals and vaccinated 1.23 lakh. Fisheries Sector Contributions The fisheries sector contributes 2.43% to the GDP and 22% to the agricultural GDP, earning 1% of foreign revenue through exports. Rivers, beels, haors, and millions of people are integral to the marine fishing industry. Beyond increasing fish production, significant efforts focus on safeguarding the livelihoods of fishermen. Hilsa Conservation Efforts Under the 'Ma Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2024,' 2,165 mobile courts and 9,802 drives were conducted to protect mother hilsa. These operations led to the seizure of 54.84 metric tons of hilsa and 611.638 lakh meters of nets. Authorities filed 3,025 cases, collected fines amounting to Tk 75.273 lakh, and jailed 2,009 individuals. Additional Secretaries of the ministry ATM Mostafa Kamal, Syeda Nowara Jahan, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Suraiya Akhtar Jahan, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Mostafizur Rahman were, among others, present on the occasion.  

Markets for sacrificial animals officially opened in the capital city on Saturday, but their arrivals are very slow as huge tailbacks on highways and ferry terminals  stranded hundreds of cattle-carrying trucks for hours. The delayed arrivals may cause a shortage of cattle in the markets and push the prices up at the last moment, said traders talking to the UNB correspondent.   Over 500 trucks carrying cattle and goods were found waiting for five to 10 hours to cross River Padma due to heavy traffic at Banglabazar-Shimulia route, according to UNB local correspondent on Saturday afternoon. Though trucks from various districts in the south are waiting to cross, cattle traders have complained that more private vehicles are getting priority to board the ferries. Read: Atiqul warns stern legal action for Covid rule violation in cattle markets The long agonising wait on board the trucks in intense heat is making many animals sick. Traders reported the death of 25 cattle because of their being stranded on not-too-comfortable trucks amid hot sun and occasional rains. The traders said it is taking 10 to 12 hours to get a ferry to cross the river which is time-consuming and making the cattle sick.

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque has said that Bangladesh will have surplus production of fish, egg, meat and milk in the space of the next 3-5  years. He said, "One of the main challenges of the current government is to ensure nutritious food to all.We recognise that the fisheries and livestock sector can play a vital role in that." "We are gradually becoming self-reliant in food for the steps taken by the government in the last few years. Not only that, if we keep up the good work, we might have surplus productions of fish, milk, meat and egg in the next 3-5 years," the minister hoped. Also read: Govt to procure 5-6 lakh metric tonnes of rice to reduce shortage: Razzaque He came up with the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a virtual discussion meeting organized by Bangabandhu Veterinary Council on the occasion of World Veterinary Day 2021 on Saturday. Addressing the veterinarians, the agriculture minister said the sector needs to be taken further through technology expansion and entrepreneurship. He also advised them to work hard in ensuring  nutritious and safe food for all. Dr. Razzaque added that in order to ensure nutritious food, people's incomes must be increased and employment must be created.  Otherwise, even if enough food is produced, people will not be able to buy and enjoy it. Also read: Will take initiative to harness potential of mushrooms: Razzaque The minister also emphasised on the importance of agriculture in alleviating poverty at the event. "The government is working tirelessly to bring down the poverty rate to 12% and extremely poor to 5%......The fisheries and livestock sector can play a huge part in that," he concluded.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Thursday said the government won’t allow import of sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.   “Under no circumstance, it will allow bringing cattle from abroad this year,” he said while addressing an online meeting on ensuring the supply and sale of healthy cattle at ‘Haats’.   The minister noted that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure the animal sacrifice in a healthy manner.   “With a view to protect the environment, all necessary arrangements will be made for marketing and selling of sacrificial animals in a healthy way during Eid-ul-Azha,” the minister said.   He cautioned all to abide by health guidelines at cattle markets and urged to discharge own duties with responsibility and ethics.   Recalling previous experience, Minister Rezaul said, “We want no incident of extortion to happen this year. If animals are sold from farms, the lessee won’t be allowed to collect tolls from there. ”     He also assured that there is an adequate supply of sacrificial animals.    According to the Department of Livestock Services, there is a stock of around 1.18 crore of sacrificial animals this year, he said.   The Minister mentioned that 1200 medical teams will work at the cattle markets to prevent sale of sick cattle and monitoring teams will be formed in coordination with the officials of the ministry.   He also revealed that the authorities are trying to focus on arranging online markets due tpo the coronavirus situation.   Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Raunak Mahmud, Additional Secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Abdul Jabbar Sikder, among others, participated in the occasion.