Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today spoke at Eco Heritage Hotel and Resort in Syedpur. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Sept 13, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today called upon all concerned to stop the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock, warning that such practices contribute to antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, which could pose a serious threat to human health in the future.

"When humans and livestock live maintaining proximity, harmful substances used in animals can enter the human body. Therefore, we must be cautious in the use of antibiotics," she said.

The adviser made the remarks while delivering her speech as chief guest at the formal inauguration and workshop-2025 of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Regional Centre at Eco Heritage Hotel and Resort in Syedpur, said a press release.

She emphasized the importance of protecting local poultry breeds from extinction, noting that Bangladesh's geographical diversity demands region-specific preservation of domestic resources. 

She called for identifying the causes of regional losses and taking corrective measures, while also encouraging initiatives to boost the popularity of duck eggs alongside indigenous chicken.

Farida further said that the fisheries and livestock sector plays a vital role in achieving self-sufficiency in food production and ensuring food security. 

"We must also attain self-reliance in the feed industry. Dependence on imported ingredients for food production could jeopardize national food security," she added.

During her visit to the BLRI Regional Centre, the adviser responded to a query on beef imports, affirming that the government remains committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers engaged in meat production and will not adopt any policy that harms the country.

Later, while visiting the Freshwater Sub-Centre of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), she said research is underway to restore endangered fish species, and that proper food management and strategic interventions could help conserve them.

Speaking on the occasion as special guest, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammed Zaber said that rising food prices inevitably lead to increased costs of poultry and eggs, making research into low-cost food management essential. He also stressed the need to enhance the ministry's branding among stakeholders and assured full support of training for personnel in the sector.

BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruque, who presided over the workshop, said, "As Bangladesh transitions into a middle-income country, demand for animal protein will rise, and production must be scaled up. Research is the key to achieving this."

She added that BLRI prioritizes domestic resources in its research and will continue efforts to conserve local breeds and reduce food production costs.

Additional Secretary Nilufa Akhtar, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Department of Livestock Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, and Director General of BFRI Dr. Anuradha Bhadra also spoke.

The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Md. Sajedul Karim Sarkar, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Poultry Research Centre at BLRI, and Project Director of the Poultry Research and Development Strengthening Project.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Livestock, BLRI, and other stakeholders were also present.