Pabna, Oct 19 (V7N)- Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar has attributed the rising prices of eggs and other products to the influence of middlemen. Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting with fishermen and marginal farmers in Pabna on Saturday, she emphasized the need to eliminate middlemen and create producers' cooperatives to ensure fair prices for consumers.

Addressing the gathering at the Pabna District Commissioner's office, the advisor pointed out that major egg production companies in Bangladesh can only meet 20-25% of the national demand. The remaining supply relies heavily on marginal farmers, many of whom struggle due to market disruptions and unfair pricing practices.

"The middlemen are driving up prices," Farida Akhtar stated, urging farmers to form cooperatives that would enable them to supply eggs directly to consumers. This would not only benefit the producers but also make eggs more affordable for the public, she noted.

She also highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, stating that extreme heat, cold, and recent heavy rains have severely affected egg production. Many farms have been destroyed, further exacerbating the supply issues. She urged farmers to become more independent and resist relying on a few large companies, particularly when it comes to purchasing chicken feed and chicks, and warned that the government will not allow a monopoly to control the market.

Pabna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mofizul Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Syed Mahmud Belal Haider, District Livestock Officer Dr. A. K. S. M. Musharraf Hossain, and District Fisheries Officer Abul Kalam also addressed the meeting, which was attended by fishermen and farmers from various upazilas of the district.

The discussion underscored the government's focus on addressing the concerns of marginal farmers and implementing measures to stabilize the market, ensuring that both producers and consumers benefit from fair trade practices.

END/PC/AJ