Mymensingh Reporter : Fisheries, Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today urged scientists to dedicate themselves to basic, innovative, and quality research focusing on food nutrition, safety, and public health, rather than solely relying on budget allocations.

            There is no alternative to research for achieving sustainable development and ensuring food security in the country, the Minister said during an exchange of views with officials at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) conference room in Mymensingh, following an inspection of the institute’s activities.

            The Minister called for securing patents for agricultural research and implementing modern, productive projects to keep pace with changing times.

            To tap into global markets, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to safely produce fish feed raw materials according to international standards, with an aim to increase safe production and expand exports.

            In response to a journalist’s query regarding supplying electricity at subsidized rates for aquaculture- similar to the agriculture sector- the Minister termed the demand “highly logical” and assured that necessary steps would be taken after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources.

            Earlier in the day, the Minister inspected various advanced hatcheries at the BFRI campus. He reviewed the breeding protocols and production lines for high-value and indigenous species, including Subarna Rui, Mekong Pangas, Mahseer, Small Mahseer, Freshwater Pearl, Khoksa, Dhela, native Sarputi, Baam (Eel), Bhagna, native Tit Puti, Ghaura, Monosex Tilapia, small shrimp, Galda Chingri, and Kuchia. He also inspected the modern cage culture setups for Shing, Gulsha, Pabda, and Magur, issuing strategic guidelines to respective departmental heads.

            The meeting was attended by Md. Delwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Dr. Anuradha Bhadra, Director General of BFRI; Nripendra Nath Biswas, Divisional Director of the Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh; Dr. Md. Latiful Islam, Director, BFRI; Dr. Md. Amirul Islam, Director, BFRI and Md. Shahidul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer, BFRI, alongside other senior regional officials.