Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter has said that although Bangladesh is set to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category in 2026, the decision was largely political, and the country has not yet fully developed the capacities required for a smooth transition.
She noted that while there are risks in exiting LDC status, a national decision will still have to be made.
She made the remarks on Thursday after the rally marking National Livestock Week 2025, which began at Manik Mia Avenue and concluded at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar field.
The adviser said the government is working to conserve, develop, and increase production of local livestock to achieve self-sufficiency in food. She added that unsafe foreign animal imports are not favored, and domestic production is being prioritized to meet local demand and create export opportunities.
Later, she attended a seminar titled “Livestock Sector: Challenges, Opportunities and Future Actions” at the old trade fairgrounds as chief guest. Emphasizing the need to reduce import dependence in the poultry sector, she urged integration of maize and soybean crops—key poultry feed ingredients—into agriculture through coordinated efforts.
Highlighting challenges faced by small poultry farmers, she stressed that resolving the poultry feed shortage is urgent and requires prioritizing feed-related issues while supporting farmers.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Jaber presided over the seminar. He said the main goal of Livestock Week is to raise public awareness and encourage new entrepreneurs. Many students graduate from universities each year, and the ministry plans to help them launch livestock ventures, with training support from the SME Foundation.
The seminar featured discussions on current challenges in the livestock sector, opportunities, safe food production, quality improvement, market systems, research and innovation, sustainable development for small farmers, and future strategies.