Safe and sustainable farming practices vital for quality egg & meat production
Agrilife24.com:Safe and sustainable farming practices are absolutely vital for ensuring the safety and quality of egg and poultry meat production. This is a critical area for both public health and the long-term viability of the poultry industry in Bangladesh- said Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, District Livestock Officer (DLO) of Tangail, while addressing the Poultry Farmers’ Training in Tangail. The Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and the PoultryTech Bangladesh (PTB)- jointly organized the trainings with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Larive International and the LightCastle Partners. Two trainings were held in Madhupur on 23 April and Ghatail on 24 April 2025.
While delivering a speech during the Inaugural Session of the training, Mr. A.T.M. Mostafa Kamal, General Secretary of BPICC said, unsafe practices can lead to the spread of foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter from poultry to humans. Sustainable practices, particularly strong biosecurity and hygiene, directly reduce this risk.
Attending the training as a resource person, Md. Zahidul Islam, CEO, Bangla-UK Agro Products Ltd. said, sustainable farming emphasizes reducing or eliminating the use of antibiotics, hormones, and synthetic pesticides. This means fewer residues in the meat and eggs, which is healthier for consumers and addresses concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Mr. Zahid also said that healthy and well-managed birds produce higher-quality meat and eggs. This includes better nutritional content, taste, and appearance, enhancing consumer trust and satisfaction. Sustainable farming aims to optimize the use of water, feed, and energy. Proper management of poultry litter and waste reduces pollution of soil and water, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, and can create valuable resources like fertilizer or biogas.
Dr. Md. Bahauddin Sarwar Rizvi, Upazila Livestock Officer (ULO), Ghatail said, efficient resource management, lower disease incidence, and improved bird health can lead to reduced operating costs for farmers. He said, sustainable practices can build a more resilient farming system that is better equipped to handle environmental challenges, market fluctuations, and disease outbreaks.
Dr. Shahiduzzaman, ULO, Madhupur said, adhering to sustainable and safe practices ensures compliance with national and international food safety regulations and standards.
Responding to the queries of the farmers, the trainers advised to limit entry to farms for unauthorized personnel and vehicles; maintain Hygiene Protocols like regularly cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses, equipment, and personnel; isolating new birds before integrating them into the existing flock; implementing integrated pest management (IPM) to control flies, rodents, and wild birds that can spread diseases; and follow "All-in, All-out" System to minimize disease transmission.
A total number of 133 farmers from Madhupur and Ghatail Upazilas attended the trainings.
