Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today emphasized the crucial role of animal health in ensuring human nutrition and national food security. Speaking as the chief guest at the Dean's Award and Orientation-2024 program, organized by the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University this afternoon, the adviser said the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is playing a vital role in meeting the country's animal protein needs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Farida Akhter highlighted the importance of protecting the health of cattle and poultry to safeguard human food security. She warned that diseases affecting these animals could pose serious health risks to humans if their health is compromised. "There is no room for compromise with animal health," she said, stressing the necessity of prioritizing animal health due to the increasing incidence of zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans.
Farida Akhter also noted the importance of viewing animal and human health as interconnected fields. She mentioned that the government is considering a unified approach to veterinary and animal sciences to strengthen the livestock sector. "Animal health and production go hand in hand. Integrating these areas will strengthen our livestock sector," she added.
The event was attended by notable figures including Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Abdul Latif, Dhaka Agricultural University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Belal Hossain, Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Director General Dr. Md Abu Sufian, and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Director General Dr. Shaikha Farzana. Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Professor Dr. Md Jahangir Alam presided over the program.