Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter at a discussion in Dhaka on Friday urged the authorities to include eggs in the national school feeding programme.
鈥極ur school feeding programme currently provides milk, but it should also include eggs. As many children from insolvent families do not get sufficient nutrition at home, adding eggs to school meals will significantly help improve their nutritional status,鈥� she said at the discussion at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh at Farmgate, said a press release.
The Department of Livestock Services, the Poultry Industries Central Council and the World鈥檚 Poultry Science Association, Bangladesh jointly held the programme to mark the World Egg Day.
Mentioning that eggs can play a vital role in combating malnutrition among underprivileged students, the adviser said, 鈥楨veryone cannot afford beef; eggs remain one of the most affordable sources of high-quality protein for all.鈥櫬犅� She also described eggs as a unique food item that connected people from all walks of life鈥攆rom production to consumption.
Highlighting the importance of nutrition in early childhood, Farida stressed that ensuring essential nutrients before the age of six was crucial for a child鈥檚 development.
Around 80 per cent of the country鈥檚 eggs come from smallholder farmers, including rural women, who rear a few chickens and contribute both to household and community-level nutrition, she mentioned, expressing concern over the use of pesticides in agriculture.
鈥楶oultry farming is increasingly facing risks from harmful chemicals,鈥� she said and called for greater promotion of eggs produced from haor wetland ducks, which had received insufficient attention despite their nutritional value.
The adviser also said that awareness should be raised about the role of eggs in preventing diseases like cancer. 鈥楥ancer has become alarmingly common, especially among women. The message that eating eggs helps reduce cancer risk should be widely disseminated.鈥�
She also stressed the need for regular monitoring and reporting of egg market conditions, warning that strict action would be taken against any malpractice or manipulation in egg pricing.
Presiding over by director general of the Department of Livestock Services Md Abu Sufian, Professor Elias Hossain and Professor Mahmudul Hasan Sikder of Bangladesh Agricultural University presented papers at the event.
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute director general Shakila Faruq and former WPSA-BB president Moshiur Rahman were attended the discussion.
