SANGSAD BHABAN, April 30 (V7N) — Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today announced that the government is actively implementing a comprehensive strategy to increase the production of natural and safe feed for livestock and poultry. Responding to a scripted question from opposition lawmaker Muhammad Ali Asgar (Pabna-3), the Minister outlined a roadmap focused on regulatory reform, climate-resilient agriculture, and financial incentives.

A key pillar of the new strategy is the amendment of the Fisheries and Animal Feed Act, 2010, which is currently in progress. The Minister stated that the update aims to:

Enhance Penalties: Impose stricter punishments for the use of adulterated, harmful, or prohibited ingredients.

Tighten Licensing: Streamline and toughen the registration systems for the production, marketing, and import of feed.

Establish Quality Frameworks: Align poultry feed production with the goals of the Election Manifesto 2026 to ensure food safety from farm to table.

To address the scarcity of grazing land, the Minister revealed plans to coordinate with relevant authorities to utilize newly accreted char lands, khas (government-owned) lands, and fallow lands for the cultivation of natural livestock feed.

Furthermore, the government is prioritizing the cultivation of climate-resilient grass varieties to ensure a steady feed supply despite changing weather patterns. Currently, 8,906 demonstration plots of high-yielding grass have already been established under ongoing nutrition improvement projects.

The Ministry is also focusing on modernizing traditional farming practices through technology:

Silage and Hay Technology: Successfully transferred to over 8,100 farms to help preserve fodder for year-round use.

Capacity Building: Approximately 30,000 farmers have received specialized training on modern livestock nutrition and sustainable feeding practices.

To attract investment and reduce financial risks, the government is planning to introduce:

Priority Loan Schemes: Dedicated credit facilities for women, youth, and expatriate investors on easy terms.

Collateral-Free Options: Low-collateral or collateral-free loans to encourage grassroots entrepreneurship.

Livestock Insurance: A risk-mitigation tool to protect borrowers and ensure the long-term viability of livestock businesses.

Minister Amin Ur Rashid emphasized that these measures are essential not only for the growth of the livestock sector but also for ensuring the health and safety of the general public by improving the quality of animal-based protein.

END/AJ/RH