Farida Akhtar, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has long been an advocate for safe agriculture and food production. In an exclusive interview with the Kaler Kantho, she shared insights into the challenges, opportunities, and solutions related to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock. The interview was conducted by Said Shaheen.
How would you evaluate the current state of the agriculture sector?
A significant portion of the country's workforce is involved in agriculture, particularly in crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry. Agriculture contributes a substantial share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The fisheries and livestock sector ensures a steady supply of safe protein and contributes to export earnings. These sectors are intertwined with both economic and social aspects of the nation. However, environmental factors play a crucial role in the production and development of these sectors.
How reliable is the data on agricultural, livestock, and fishery production in the country?
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is the main organization responsible for the country’s statistics. Unfortunately, the previous government dismantled many institutional frameworks, creating distrust in data, including that from BBS. Their information was often exaggerated for political purposes. This lack of trust affects not only agriculture, fisheries, and livestock but all sectors. A thorough review of BBS data is necessary to determine its reliability.
Will ordinary people ever have access to safe food?
There is a pervasive sense of insecurity regarding food safety across all types of food. For decades, the focus has been on increasing the quantity of agricultural and food production, with little attention to quality. This pursuit of quantity has harmed the environment and failed to address whether the food produced is healthy. In some cases, toxic foods are being produced. Ensuring safe production is now the only viable alternative.
You have been advocating for pesticide-free food production for a long time. Now that you are in a government role, how do you plan to address this issue?
The imbalanced use of pesticides and insecticides leads to financial waste, environmental degradation, and health risks for farmers. Beneficial insects are destroyed, small fish in rivers and water bodies are vanishing, and harmful residues from pesticides are entering our bodies, causing fatal diseases. This reduces immunity in humans. It is crucial to halt the sale and promotion of harmful pesticides and curb misinformation surrounding them.
Women play a significant role in agriculture. How do you perceive their transformation in this sector?
Agriculture is heavily dependent on women, especially in crops, fisheries, and livestock. Several initiatives are being taken to encourage women’s participation in these areas. We are making decisions in consultation with marginalized communities, with particular attention to safeguarding women's interests. If women are further empowered in agriculture, producing safe food will become easier.
The market often experiences instability regarding eggs. What steps are being taken to address this?
Floods caused a disruption in egg supply, while damaged crops led to reduced vegetable availability, increasing demand for eggs. Opportunistic traders intervened to profit, creating instability in prices. Consumer protection agencies have been active in controlling prices.
How are farmers being rehabilitated following flood damages?
The floods in August caused extensive damage, with losses in fisheries amounting to Tk 1,899 crore and in livestock to Tk 428 crore. Short and long term measures have been adopted for recovery. Financial and material support has been provided. Farmers have been offered easy-term loans, while existing loan installments have been deferred for a year.
What initiatives are you taking to protect farmers' interests?
We have requested the Power Division to provide a 20% subsidy on electricity bills in the fisheries and livestock sectors, similar to agriculture. Concerns have been raised with the Ministry of Commerce regarding egg imports, which could harm local farmers. Additionally, efforts are underway to update fishermen’s databases to ensure they receive government benefits.
Native fish species are declining. What initiatives are being taken to address this?
Climate change, overfishing, and other factors have endangered native fish species. While we are performing well in fish farming, I am not impressed by the over-reliance on farmed fish. We must focus on native fish in natural water bodies. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute has developed technology for breeding and cultivating 40 native fish species. We aim to restore the 300+ native fish species previously found in open water bodies.
Natural fish habitats, especially rivers, are declining. How can they be improved?
Meeting the country's nutritional needs is the state's responsibility. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock prioritizes the production and supply of animal protein, including fish, meat, milk, and eggs. Thus, rivers, haors, and seas are given special attention. Initiatives are underway to protect marine biodiversity and control environmental pollution, particularly in the Bay of Bengal. Hilsa fish, a major resource, accounts for 70-80% of global production from Bangladesh's rivers and seas.
The debate over GMOs has persisted in Bangladesh. Can farmers' interests be protected?
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have long been contentious worldwide. Efforts are underway to introduce technologies like "gene editing," which face global skepticism. For instance, Bt brinjal was released in Bangladesh in 2013, despite its rejection in India and the Philippines due to environmental and health risks. Its claims of pest resistance have not been substantiated, and farmers did not benefit financially.
What legal measures are being taken to ensure the quality of animal feed and fisheries?
Regulating the quality of animal and fish feed is crucial for safe food production. The government has implemented the Fish Feed and Animal Feed Rules, 2024, which outline licensing procedures, categorization, fees, and limits on harmful chemicals. These regulations aim to create sustainable development in the fisheries sector and protect public health.
Are we on the right track to climate-resilient agriculture and food production?
Global climate change necessitates the adoption of appropriate technologies. However, many so-called "climate-smart" agricultural methods involve increased chemical use and mechanization, which are not sustainable. To mitigate climate change, we must focus on reforestation, such as planting hijal trees in haors and palm trees to prevent lightning strikes, alongside other eco-friendly initiatives.
How can we reduce the lack of coordination in environmental and climate-related efforts?
Addressing climate and environmental issues requires collective effort. Future climate conferences should include representatives from the education, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock ministries, among others. Joint initiatives are crucial, especially considering past misuse of funds and incomplete projects. Environmental concerns such as Golden Rice and zinc-enriched rice must also be carefully examined to protect biodiversity and public health.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
