Nilphamari: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized today the necessity of reducing the influence of middlemen to ensure fair prices for farmers' produce. She highlighted the issue during a Rangpur divisional level meeting held with officials from the Departments of Livestock and Fisheries at the Eque Heritage Hotel and Resort in Saidpur. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Adviser Akhter pointed out the increased demand for fish and meat during Ramadan, urging for a boost in production to meet this demand. She also addressed the recurring threat of cattle hoof disease, stating that the government is actively working to mitigate the shortage of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines. In a bid to dissuade tobacco cultivation, Akhter labeled tobacco as an addictive substance posing significant health risks. She advocated for the cultivation of corn as an alternative, which could simultaneously address the shortage of cow fodder. Additionally, she called for stringent measures against il legal fishing nets, stating that punitive actions should extend beyond fishermen to include the closure of illegal net manufacturing factories. To enhance the quality of life for fishermen, Akhter mentioned the distribution of smart registration cards by the government. These cards are intended to ensure that relevant grants reach the fishermen. She urged officials from both the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Livestock to commit fully to the development of marginal farmers and farm owners. The event, chaired by Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nairuzzaman, also featured contributions from Director of Rangpur Divisional Livestock Office Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries for Rangpur Md Saifuddin Yahiya as special guests. The program commenced with a documentary presentation on the Rangpur divisional activities by Assistant Director of Department of Fisheries Md Manjurul Islam. The meeting was attended by fisheries officers, livestock officers, and jour nalists from various districts within the Rangpur division.
