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Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has said the government will take steps to make Bangladesh’s poultry industry stronger and more sustainable by reducing production costs, keeping feed prices affordable and ensuring the production of safe food.
He also said small and medium-scale poultry farmers would be brought under easy loan facilities similar to agricultural credit schemes.
The state minister made the remarks while addressing a poultry farmers’ rally and views-exchange meeting organised by the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) at Tangail Model City on Saturday.
He said poultry farmers had highlighted the challenges threatening the survival of small farms, adding that he had already held several discussions with BPIA leaders as well as feed suppliers, raw material traders and day-old chick producers.
“We will sit together with all stakeholders to find practical solutions and bring these problems to a tolerable level,” he said.
Emphasising food safety, Tuku said ensuring safe food was a shared responsibility and called for stronger monitoring by upazila and thana livestock officers.
He urged poultry farmers to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics and use them only under the advice of qualified veterinarians to ensure safe poultry production.
The state minister also said the government would hold discussions with feed manufacturers to keep feed prices at a reasonable level.
“If the poultry industry survives and grows, it will create employment for millions of people and play a vital role in meeting the country’s demand for animal protein. The government is committed to protecting and further developing this sector,” he added.
The meeting was chaired by BPIA Tangail district president Shawkat Ali Mollah.
Among others, Director (Administration) of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) of Tangail Md Robiul Islam, BPIA central president Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury, Secretary General M Safir Rahman and District Livestock Officer Dr Mohammad Osman Gani addressed the programme.
Marginal, small and medium poultry farmers, political leaders and BPIA officials from different levels attended the event.