School feeding scheme should add eggs alongside milk: Farida Akhter
Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has urged that eggs be added to the national school feeding programme, emphasising that their inclusion is crucial for improving nutrition among children from low-income families.
'Currently, the school feeding programme supplies milk, but eggs should be added as well', she said. 'Many children from low-income families miss out on proper nutrition. Adding eggs to school meals is a direct step towards reducing student malnutrition'.
She made the remarks while addressing a discussion marking World Egg Day at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh, organised by the Department of Livestock Services and its partners.
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Akhter explained that eggs are an affordable source of nutrition accessible to every social class. Their widespread production and consumption involve people at all levels, unlike more expensive options, such as beef.
She highlighted that around 80 per cent of eggs in Bangladesh come from small-scale farmers, especially rural women.
She noted that agricultural pesticides threaten poultry farming and called for greater promotion of duck eggs from under-publicised haor areas.
On nutrition awareness, the adviser said, 'We must talk about a complete diet, including vegetables, fish and meat. Cancer rates have risen alarmingly, especially among women. People should be made aware that eating eggs can help reduce cancer risk'.
She addressed egg price volatility, citing middlemen as a cause, and stressed the need for market monitoring to maintain price stability.
The event was chaired by Dr Md Abu Sufian, with other sector leaders attending as special guests.
Professor Ilyas Hossain and Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan Sikder of Bangladesh Agricultural University presented papers.
