Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman said that the government is taking steps to develop climate-tolerant fishing methods. He called upon all the stakeholders to come forward in the field of fish production and expansion through proper implementation of the development activities undertaken by the government. He said, special emphasis should be placed on research for climate resilient fisheries production and management. He also said that all projects related to fisheries and livestock should be completed on time.
The minister exchanged his views while speaking as the chief guest at the central workshop of the project titled “Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management (part of the Department of Fisheries)” being implemented by the Department of Fisheries at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium at Farmgate, Dhaka on Thursday, March 28.
The minister said that all projects related to fisheries and livestock should be completed on time. He commented that if there is a delay in the implementation of the project, the cost of the project will increase due to devaluation of money. He called upon the concerned to make proper plans for the implementation of the project and work accordingly.
The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock said that the Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management project will play an important role in increasing fish production, creating employment and socio-economic development through the proper use of aquatic resources and the use of modern fish farming technology.
The minister said, Bangladesh is a country prone to natural disasters, so we have to formulate a policy based on reality. Taking into consideration the risk of climate change, the project should be expanded to new areas of the country and necessary steps should be taken to deal with the effects of climate change across the country, increase the production of the fisheries sector, improve the quality of life of the people and create employment in rural areas. He called for building the golden Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream, free from hunger and poverty, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina through the proper implementation of the developmental programs undertaken by the government through the production and expansion of fisheries.
He also said that by ensuring the sustainable use of aquatic resources, the quality of life of poor fishermen and fish farmers will be improved by increasing fish production through the protection, conservation and management of fisheries resources. He called on all concerned to work together, including the Department of Fisheries, to expand the specialized fisheries system through the expansion of climate tolerant and suitable fisheries, introduction of community-based fisheries management, increasing public awareness and public involvement in the protection and conservation of fishery resources and conservation and development of natural aquatic biodiversity.
Calling upon all stakeholders to come forward in the field of fish production and expansion through proper implementation of the development activities undertaken by the government, the minister said that special emphasis should be placed on research for climate tolerant fish production and management.
He mentioned the success of the current government in the fisheries sector, especially the achievement of self-sufficiency in fish production, the importance of the fisheries sector in the national economy, food security, meeting the needs of the people for safe nutrition and the contribution of this sector in creating employment in rural towns.
Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary M. Salim Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Additional Secretary ATM Mustafa Kamal and other senior officials were present as special guests in the workshop. The event was chaired by the DG of Fisheries Directorate Syed Md Alamgir.