Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has emphasized the need to reduce the dominance of middlemen to ensure fair prices for farmers' produce. She also highlighted the necessity of increasing production to meet the rising demand for fish and meat during Ramadan.
Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting with fisheries and livestock officials of the Rangpur division at the Iqoo Heritage Hotel & Resort in Saidpur, Nilphamari, on Saturday, she said this.
Farida Akhter said that every year, farmers face significant challenges due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) among cattle. The government is taking steps to address the shortage of FMD vaccines.
To discourage tobacco cultivation, she said: "Tobacco is an addictive substance that increases the risk of premature deaths. Cultivating maize instead of tobacco can help address the shortage of cattle feed."
Regarding illegal nets, the adviser said: “Punishing fishermen alone is not enough; factories producing illegal nets must also be shut down.” She added that the government has introduced smart registration cards for fishermen to improve their living standards. Cardholders will receive all relevant government benefits.
She urged fisheries and livestock department officials to actively work for the betterment of marginal farmers. “Identify their problems and take swift measures to resolve them,” she said at the meeting.
