Dhaka, Nov 25 (V7N) – Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar has warned that the use of pesticides and herbicides is harming agricultural land and threatening sustainable food production.

She made the remarks at a workshop on “Agricultural Land Protection and Land Use” held at a hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday (November 25) morning.

The advisor noted that chemical use not only reduces soil fertility but also affects the free movement of animals. She stressed the need for integrated measures in agriculture and land management.

Farida Akhtar also expressed concern over the commercial cultivation of tobacco on fertile land, emphasizing that this threatens food sovereignty. She pointed out the country’s growing dependence on Boro rice, describing it as an unsustainable approach.

Other speakers at the workshop highlighted the importance of:

  • Establishing a strong policy for agricultural land protection

  • Declaring government khas land as pasture land

  • Increasing women’s participation in land ownership

  • Preventing the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes

The session underscored the urgent need to safeguard agricultural land while promoting sustainable farming practices.

END/SMA/AJ