Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today underscored the importance of achieving food sovereignty to ensure benefits for both farmers and consumers. "We must work towards food sovereignty so it serves the interests of both farmers and consumers. Ensuring food security for consumers should go hand in hand with protecting farmers' livelihoods," she stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser was addressing the first session titled 'Food Security and Fairness to Farmers' at the 'Agriculture, Food Security and Farmers' Fairness Conference 2025', organized by Bonik Barta in the capital's Hotel Sonargon. The event was highlighted in a ministry press release.
Farida Akhter pointed out that while food security is emphasized, the concerns of farmers are often overlooked as efforts are made to keep food supply and prices affordable for urban populations through imports. She noted that discussions around the mechanization of agriculture must consider whether this shift is causing unintended harm.
She emphasized the necessity of balancing both sides: ensuring consumers' access to safe food while also ensuring that farmers benefit from their production. "If we destroy life and nature in the process of producing food, can we still call it food?" she asked, adding, "It becomes an industrial product."
Mentioning that pesticides can't be used in haor regions, the adviser highlighted that these areas are significant sources of fish and that awareness needs to be created at the farmer level regarding the issue.
The session was conducted by Banik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud, with Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian speaking as the guest of honor. Other panel discussants included Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, former Director General of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr. Jahangir Alam, TK Group Director Mohammad Mustafa Haider, President of ACI Agri Business Division Dr. FH Ansari, and Managing Director of National Agricare Group KSM Mostafizur Rahman.