Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhtar on Friday urged the government to declare eggs as an essential food item, citing its importance in terms of accessibility and availability for all citizens, regardless of income or social background.
鈥楨ggs are crucial for ensuring nutritional security, and there should be no disparity in their availability,鈥� she said while speaking as chief guest at the 2024 World Egg Day event at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka.
The adviser also stressed the need to encourage rural women to raise poultry to increase egg production, noting that in the past, rural women contributed to the economy by selling ducks and chickens to wholesalers.
鈥榃e need to bring back that system and take all necessary steps to support rural poultry farming,鈥� she said.
She further pointed out that the demand for eggs rose in the Bengali months of Ashwin and Kartik when vegetable supplies decrease. Eggs often passed through several intermediaries from producers to consumers, driving up prices.
鈥楨fforts are underway to streamline the supply chain, allowing eggs to be delivered directly from producers to consumers,鈥� the adviser continued.
She mentioned that during Ramadan, egg consumption declined and the government was considering cold storage options based on demand.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by recent floods, which have damaged many farms, impacting overall supply.
Blaming syndicates for driving up egg prices, the adviser said that the government was taking measures to address the issue.
鈥楳arket inspections are ongoing, and wholesale prices have already started to decrease. Prices will stabilise soon,鈥� she hoped.
