DHAKA, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – The government will take necessary steps to impose restrictions in selling pesticides at seven haor dominated districts during the upcoming boro season with an aim to protect fisheries and livestocks.

At the same time, the government will impose control on the use of the pesticides in the agricultural sector through the district and upazila pesticide technical advisory committee, said an official handout here today.

The decision was taken following a 2nd meeting of the Pesticide Technical Advisory committee (PTAC), a primary body guiding pesticide control, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) in the secretariat here today.

Besides, easy and clear using instructions in Bengali will be included on the pesticides bottle and packet before marketing the chemical or biological agent. 

Side by side, training and motivational programme on safe and appropriate use of the pesticides will be implemented for the farmers at the haor region.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter who chaired the meeting, said that the cultivation of the winter crops especially the boro paddy begins in the haor region at the end of rainy season and   most of the farmers during this time uncontrollably used pesticides for expecting maximum yield and it is harmful for fisheries and overall bio-diversity in the haor region. 

So, it is necessary to take emergency steps for protecting the fisheries and livestock by impose control on the  pesticide use, she said.  

A sincere and coordinated approach is indispensible from all for defining an appropriate procedure aiming to keep secure the biodiversity of the haor areas from the harmful impact of the pesticides, the adviser added. 

Senior secretary of the fisheries and livestock ministry Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber said  the harmful pesticide like Carbofuran, an insecticide from the carbamate class, which is  highly toxic to birds, fish, and bees, has already been banned and its marketing should be prevented strictly.

He encouraged on using of bio-pesticides and alternative pest management system instead of harmful pesticides.

Participating in the meeting, Agriculture secretary Dr Mohamamd Emdad Ullah Mian said the random use of pesticides will be possible to restrict largely following the finalization of the pesticides usage regulations.

Presently, he said ,about 8100 commercial brand pesticides under 335 different generic categories are being sold in the country which is completely import based.

The meeting  has decided to emphasize on the environment friendly bio-pesticide, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) instead of  harmful chemical insecticides.

Even a decision was taken to complete an implementation of a coordinated action plan in controlling pesticides in the haor region by January 31.

Senior officials of the concerned ministries and agencies along with representatives from different non-government organizations (NGOs) ,among others, attended the meeting.