While food security of the small and marginal farmers often associated with increased crop production (usually cereals, pulses and vegetables), it is hardly meaningful to those who do not have farm lands for producing crops. Keeping this in mind FoSHoL-ActionAid project had taken poultry and livestock rearing as one of its vital components in achieving food security and sustainable livelihoods for this group. However, the recent emergence of Bird Flu in the world especially in the neighboring countries made the FoSHoL-ActionAid staff and beneficiary farmers very concerned in implementing the poultry farming component. Moreover, variuos news on the national and local media have contributed to thier concern.

On this backdrop a meeting was organized at the FoSHoL-Actionaid project office conference room on May 30, 2006 with Dr. Md. Abdul Motalib, Technical Focal Point of National Steering Committee on Bird Flu and Director-Administration of Animal Health Division, Directorate of Livestock Services, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to clarify various issues and questions related to Bird Flu. All field team leaders and Project Coordination and Management Team members attended the meeting.

Dr. Motalib emphasized the need on creating awareness on Bird Flu at the community level. He also pointed out that this is an issue that can be miscommunicated very easily, therefore, to be consistent with the national policy, any initiative on Bird Flu should be taken with prior discussion and approval from the National Steering Committee.

Dr. Motalib also expressed his views on how livestock sector can contribute to the food security and nutritional status of the small and marginal farmers and the nation as a whole. He assured his all-out support to FoSHoL-ActionAid Project in enhancing food security of the poor.