RANGPUR, Nov 30, 2024 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said here today influence of middlemen must be reduced to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce.
 
“The demand for fish and meat increases during the holy month of Ramadan. Therefore, production of fish and meat must be increased to meet that increased demand,” she said.  

The adviser said this today while addressing the Rangpur divisional level meeting with officials of the Departments of Livestock and Fisheries at the Eque Heritage Hotel and Resort in Saidpur of Nilphamari district, a local PID press release said this evening. 

She said that every year many farmers are in danger due to cattle hoof disease. To face the situation, the government is working to fill the shortage of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, he added. 

 To discourage tobacco cultivation, the fisheries and livestock advisor said that tobacco is an addictive substance, which increases the risk of premature death of people. 
 
“Therefore, cultivating corn instead of tobacco should be encouraged to help meet the shortage of cow fodder too,” she said.
 
Regarding the initiative to stop illegal fishing nets, she said that not only the fishermen should be punished for illegal nets, but also illegal net manufacturing factories should be closed. 
 
Regarding the improvement of the quality of life of fishermen, she said that the government has distributed smart registration cards to improve the quality of life of fishermen. All relevant grants will be provided to these card holders, he added.  

 She especially urged the officials of the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Livestock to work with utmost dedication and sincerity for the development of marginal farmers and farm owners. 
 
With Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nairuzzaman in the chair, Director of Rangpur Divisional Livestock Office Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries for Rangpur Md Saifuddin Yahiya addressed the programme as special guests. 
 
At the beginning of the programme, Assistant Director of Department of Fisheries for Md Manjurul Islam presented a documentary about the Rangpur divisional activities of the department. 
 
Fisheries officers, livestock officers and journalists from different districts of Rangpur division were present at the event.