The absence of proper marketing chain, limitation of postharvest technology and poor research and development are some of key challenges for growth of the country’s livestock and fisheries sector, speakers at a workshop said Sunday. They said that trans-boundary disease, vaccine shortage and frequent natural disasters in the country are also holding back the sector’s potential at the expected level. The observations came at the inaugural session of a day-long workshop organised by the ministry of livestock and fisheries (MoFL) ahead of preparing an action plan for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka. Fisheries and livestock minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque attended the inaugural session as the chief guest, while member General Economics Division (GED) Dr. Shamsul Alam was present as the special guest. Speaking on the occasion, Sayedul Hoque said the government was implementing various development activities to achieve the SDGs following the country’s success in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Explaining his ministry’s involvement with the SDGs, the minister said that out of total goals and targets as set by the United Nations, 11 goals and 39 targets are relevant to the livestock and fisheries ministry. SDGs have 169 targets under 17 goals to reduce hunger, poverty, illiteracy, inequalities and workplace accidents. “Our ministry is working as the lead ministry to achieve four targets under the goal no 14 regarding resource below water,” he said. The total naval boundary of the country has been increased to 1.18 million square kilometres after the resolution of disputes with the neighbours. “We need to protect at least 11,880 kilometre-long marine area and prevent over-fishing to achieve the goal no 14 by 2020,” the minister said. He also laid emphasis on the proper use of land, water and marine resources to achieve the goals. In his speech, Dr. Shamsul Alam said that the government alone cannot achieve any development goals without enough participation of the private sector. “The private sector should be allowed to play its role independently considering its contribution to the national economy,” he said. For example, he continued, agriculture is the largest private sector business, where the government agencies should play the role as a facilitator and supervisor. Mr Alam also suggested introducing insurance schemes for the livestock and fisheries sector. Livestock and fisheries secretary Md. Maksudul Hasan Khan and joint secretary Md. Kamruzzaman and deputy chief of the ministry Md Abdul Matin attended the workshop, among others. Ministry officials, representatives of relevant government agencies, scientists and other stakeholders participated in the workshop.