Govt prioritising local livestock for food self-sufficiency: Adviser Farida

Fisheries and Livestock Affairs Adviser Farida Akhter on Thursday said the government is working to achieve food self-sufficiency by conserving, developing and producing local breeds of livestock.

She made the remarks after a rally brought out marking ‘National Livestock Week 2025’ at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar of Dhaka, UNB reports. 

Urging the authorities concerned to reduce importing unsafe foreign animal products, the adviser said not only the government is working to meet domestic demand through local production but also trying to create markets abroad.

Later, she joined a seminar titled ‘Challenges, Prospects and Way Forward for the Livestock Sector’ was held at Puratan Trade Fair Ground at Agargaon.

The adviser stressed the importance of reducing import dependency in the poultry sector, urging to minimise reliance on imported maize and soybean—two key ingredients for poultry feed—these crops must be integrated into the agricultural sector through coordinated initiatives.

Regarding Bangladesh’s recent decision on LDC graduation, she said the 2026 graduation timeline was a political decision.

The country, however, has not yet fully achieved all necessary capacities for a sustainable transition.

Highlighting challenges faced by small poultry farmers, she said resolving the poultry feed crisis is crucial. To sustain small farms, feed-related problems must be prioritised and addressed through close coordination.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber presided over the seminar, saying that the Livestock Week aims primarily to raise public awareness and encourage new entrepreneurs in the sector.

Livestock Week 2025 is being celebrated nationwide for the first time with the theme: ‘Local Breeds, Modern Technology: Advancing Livestock Development.’