Fisheries And Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized the need to limit the use of antibiotics in animals to ensure a safe food supply for the population.
While exchanging views with poultry, livestock, and fisheries farmers in Delduar Upazila on Wednesday, she said: "The human foods are closely related with the animals."
She pointed out the problem of contamination, saying: "All the foods people consume like vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat are being contaminated with the effect of antibiotics."
As a result, human bodies become resistant to antibiotics, and when people consume those foods, the usual doses of antibiotics often fail to treat diseases, she added.
Highlighting the need for raising awareness among farmers, the adviser said: "The growers have to give importance on producing poultry feed from their own rather than buying products of the company."
She assured that the Department of Fisheries and Livestock would support farmers in this regard.
When farmers raised concerns about the increasing prices of poultry feed and day-old chicks, the adviser encouraged them to become independent rather than contract farmers.
Farida also mentioned that companies producing feed are creating monopolies through contract farming, and real farmers are the one at a disadvantage.
She further said: "The poultry industries are contributing a lot in creating women entrepreneurship in the country, and it helps women to become self-dependent.”
