Tangail, June 29 (V7N) — Farida Akhtar, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has declared that she is prepared to take to the streets if needed to stop the use of toxic pesticides in Bangladesh. “These products may appear helpful from advertisements, but in reality, they are poison. How can we accept poison as a part of food production?” she said.

She made these remarks on Saturday (June 28) while addressing a Safe Food Conference as the chief guest. The event was jointly organized by Sabuj Pearthibi (Green Earth) and Nayakrishi Andolon (New Agriculture Movement) at the hall room of the Bureau Bangladesh regional office on Main Road, Tangail town.

Highlighting the dangers of chemical use in agriculture and animal husbandry, Akhtar added, “Even fish are being caught using poison. Cattle can no longer graze safely because herbicides are sprayed to kill the grass, rendering it toxic. We must free ourselves from this poisoned environment.”

“Bangladesh is a beautiful and resource-rich country. If we act responsibly, we can build it into a happier, more prosperous nation,” she said, urging greater awareness and policy action toward ecological sustainability and food safety.

The event was presided over by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque. Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Abu Nayeem Muhammad Abduch Shobur, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman; Ishtiak Ahmed, Manager of Bureau Mymensingh Division; Lion M.A. Rashid, Executive Director of ASPADA Environmental Movement; Seema Das Seemu, Director of UBINIG; Shahid Mahmud, General Secretary of Sabuj Pearthibi; and farmer Shanoar Hossain.

The conference was attended by government officials from various departments, along with members of environmental organizations and grassroots agricultural movements.

END/BKC/SMA/