Dhaka, Oct. 16 -- Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Friday stressed the need to ensure safe, nutritious and quality food alongside increasing agricultural production, warning that excessive use of pesticides can increase the risks of food contamination and thus may leave serious effects on the public health.

"Excessive pesticides are often used on crops in the hope of obtaining higher yields. This increases the risk of food contamination and can have serious negative impacts on public health. To address this situation, it is necessary to raise farmers' awareness and strengthen safe food production systems," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing an event organised to mark World F...