Misuse of antibiotics must be stopped in safe food production

He said this on Thursday morning at a workshop titled ‘Implementation of the Fish Feed and Animal Feed Act, 2010 and Strengthening Quality Control for Safe Animal Protein Production and Enhancing Export Capacity’ at the PTI Auditorium in Gazipur Sadar.

The state minister said integrated initiatives by farmers, feed producers, and the government are needed to reduce production costs in the poultry industry, ensure quality feed, and supply safe protein to consumers. Unnecessary use of antibiotics not only risks food safety but also increases production costs.

He said marginal farmers are the main driving force of the country's poultry and livestock sector. The government is providing various support, including loans, electricity facilities, and incentives, to sustain them and create new entrepreneurs. He called on livestock officers at the field level to be more active in raising farmers' awareness about production and medicine use in safe and scientific methods.

Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is working to increase the capacity to export animal products alongside meeting domestic demand. Hatching eggs have already begun to be exported. He also emphasized creating new entrepreneurs to strengthen employment and the rural economy.

The workshop was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan, and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md. Shahjaman Khan, along with concerned officials, farmers, and industry stakeholders were present.