Livestock adviser for declaring egg as an essential food

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has urged the authorities concerned to declare egg as an essential food.

The adviser made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at an event marking World Egg Day 2024 at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital's Farmgate today (11 October), reads a press release.

"Egg is very important as it is an easily available food. There should not be any discrimination in availing eggs. Eggs should be supplied to everyone according to their needs," the adviser said.

Mentioning that rural women must be inspired to increase production of chickens and ducks, the adviser said, "The old system has to be brought back where rural women will rear chickens and ducks and sell their eggs to wholesalers by themselves. Steps needs to be taken so that rural women can contribute to the economy."

During her speech, the adviser also said the demand for eggs increases every year during Ashwin-Karthik months as supply of vegetables decreases at that time.

"Prices of eggs increase as they reach the hands of the customers through various intermediaries. Plans are being made on how to prevent this process. Also, demand for eggs decreases during Ramadan. That's why we need to think about keeping eggs in cold storages according to demand and stop stockpiling them," the adviser added.

The adviser also mentioned the recent floods that have devastated many farms across the country, noting it as the reason for current problems in egg supply.

"Syndicates are the main reason behind the increase in egg prices. We are working on it, our teams are regularly monitoring the market. Already prices have gone down in the wholesale egg market, and the situation will be controlled soon," the adviser said.

Director General of Department of Livestock Services Md Reajul Huq presided over the event, while many other government high-ups were present.