President Md Abdul Hamid on Saturday urged all concerned to ensure the standard production of livestock in the country to make sure safe animal foods for the countrymen alongside brightening the image of the sector in the international market.

‘The proper standard of livestock will have to be ensured at every stage of production. The quality of meat and animal foods frequently came under question now-a-days,’ he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Livestock Services Weak 2018 in the city, reports the UNB.

The Livestock Services Department of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry arranged the programme at Krishibid Institute, Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium of Khamar Bari at Farmgate.

Noting that the livestock is an important sector in the country’s export earnings, the President said, ‘The potentials of this sector were hampered and our image was tarnished in foreign lands in the past due to some unscrupulous people.’

He also asked all to be careful so that the growth of the livestock sector is not hampered due to personal profit as the fish and livestock are the main sources of animal protein for the country’s men.

‘It’ll have to face strictly any sort of anomalies and corruption in this regard,’ he stressed.

Abdul Hamid urged for coordinated efforts among all concerned including farmers, agriculturalists, agro-scientists and entrepreneurs to expedite the national development unlocking the potentials of this sector. ‘Production of fish, chicken, duck and domestic animals is a potential sector for investment and employment.’

He suggested for ensuring fair prices of livestock alongside increasing production.

President Hamid also suggested developing necessary infrastructure, laboratories, skills and legal frameworks for increase the export of the livestock sector.

He praised the Livestock Services Department for arranging the ‘Livestock Services Week’ saying that it is a commendable initiative.

President Hamid  said the production of milk, meat and egg were increased five times in 2016-17 fiscal year comparing to that in 2008-09 fiscal  year due to prevention of diseases, improvement of varieties and modern farming management.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, agriculturalists, agricultural scientists and politicians were present at the programme presided over by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Maksudul Hasan Khan.

The President visited different stalls set up there on the occasion of the Livestock Services Week.