Adviser Farida Akhter today spoke as chief guest at a policy dialogue at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Nov 24, 2025 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said pesticides widely used in crop production are emerging as a serious threat to Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sectors.

“It is urgently needed to integrate pesticide-related concerns into fisheries and livestock policies,” she said.

She was speaking as chief guest at a policy dialogue titled “Basic Policies of Fisheries and Livestock Sector: Implementation Challenges and Transitions” at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.

Agroecology Coalition Bangladesh, PKSF, Welt Hunger Hilfe, Wave Foundation, and FIVDB jointly organized the event to bring together senior government officials, NGO representatives, and farmers.

The adviser stressed that natural water bodies must be protected and endangered indigenous fish species conserved, she said, adding regulating fishing alongside safeguarding aquatic ecosystems is vital. 

Mentioning that although several haors have been declared fish sanctuaries, she noted that irresponsible tourism is undermining conservation efforts—an issue that should be addressed through revisions in tourism policy.

She also pointed out that fisheries and livestock, despite being key food production sectors, receive less policy priority than agriculture—a gap that must be closed. 

The adviser urged for immediate action to address rising fish deaths in the Barendra region, linked to temperature increases driven by the climate change.

The dialogue was chaired by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation PKSF Managing Director Md. Fazlul Quader and attended by FAO Bangladesh Representative Jiaoqun Shi, Director General (Interim Responsibility) of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr. Shakila Faruque and other sectoral leaders. 

Convener of the Agroecology Coalition and Executive Director of Wave Foundation Mohsin Ali delivered the welcome address, while Research Director at the Center for Social Research Ahmed Borhan presented key findings. 

Deputy Director of Wave Foundation Kaniz Fatema moderated the discussion.

Participants highlighted cross-sector cooperation as essential for safeguarding Bangladesh’s fisheries, livestock, and aquatic biodiversity in the face of increasing environmental threats.