At Aquaculture Knowledge Day 2026, Mohammed Aminur Rashid called for safer aquaculture, natural remedies and research into soil and water contamination as Bangladesh seeks stronger export credibility.
Bangladesh must increase fish production to meet growing consumer demand but quality must not be compromised under any circumstances, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said on Sunday.
He made the call as chief guest at “Aquaculture Knowledge Day 2026,” organised by Fishtech BD Limited at a hotel in Banani in the capital.
The minister urged researchers, scientists and entrepreneurs to work together to ensure safe food for the domestic market and strengthen the credibility of Bangladeshi products in international trade.
Highlighting current agricultural dynamics, Rashid said the country no longer faced major food production deficits, but producing high-quality and safe food remained a critical challenge. Quality production, he said, was essential if Bangladesh wanted to move its economy forward through agricultural exports.
Nearly 75 percent of the country’s population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, the minister said. Empowering this population economically would permanently strengthen the national economy, he added.
He said the twin objectives of agricultural growth were to meet domestic demand and establish a strong footprint in global markets.
Addressing the research community, the minister advised moving away from dependence on antibiotics and vaccines and urged scientists to focus on natural remedies.
People now demand safe, healthy and quality food, he said, adding that no production method should be adopted if it poses long-term health risks to consumers.
Rashid reiterated his commitment to reducing the use of harmful pesticides that damage soil, water, air and human health, saying the government had already initiated steps to tackle soil and water pollution.
He also expressed concern over the alarming rise of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic in soil and water, and their recent detection in rice.
The minister said the government had launched research to trace the root sources of the contamination, including whether it came from soil, underground water, fertilisers or pesticides.
To address falling groundwater tables, he stressed the need to use surface river water for irrigation and reduce dependence on underground extraction.
The minister also outlined the government’s plan to turn agriculture graduates into entrepreneurs rather than job seekers, promising full policy support.
He cited the potential of native breeds such as the Black Bengal goat, highlighting its high productivity and disease resistance.
Md Delwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Dr Md Khaled Kanak, director general of the Department of Fisheries, spoke as special guests.
Janna Van Der Linden, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, was present at the event.
Khondaker Farhad Hossain, chairman of Fishtech BD Limited, presided over the programme.
“Aquaculture Knowledge Day 2026” served as a platform for sharing insights on modern fisheries technologies, eco-friendly farming techniques, ecosystem preservation, safe food production and public awareness.
