Rajshahi has achieved self-sufficiency in fish production for a last couple of years. After meeting local demand, more than 100 truckloads of fresh (live) fish in containers are supplied to Dhaka and other districts of the country from Rajshahi every day.

It was possible to attain self-sufficiency in fish production due to pisciculture-friendly activities of the government and technical support for farmers and entrepreneurs,

said an official working at Department of Fisheries of Rajshahi district.

According to official data, 35.48 lakh tonnes of fish were produced in the country in the fiscal year (FY) 2013-14 while in the FY 2008-09, the total fish production in the country was 27.01 lakh tonnes. In the FY 2014-15, the target for fish production in the country was fixed at 37.03 lakh tonnes.

Golam Rabbani, fisheries officer of Rajshahi district, said 66,882 tonnes of fish were produced here against the demand for 51,151 tonnes. Different types of fishes were caught from various open and closed water bodies in Rajshahi district last year. The target for fish production has been set at 70,084 tonnes in 2015. 

He expressed the hope that the target for fish production might be attained this year due to intense observation and activities by local fishermen, common people and officials concerned. 

The official informed that this year fish has been cultivated in 47,984 ponds, canals and beels covering 10,716 hectares of closed lands while in 694 open water bodies, including rivers.

Hundreds of people, especially unemployed youths have become able to change their lots by cultivating fish, he said, adding that these people were also contributing to the government's poverty alleviation and food security programmes.

Mr Rabbani further informed that Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank has launched a special loan programme on pisciculture in the north-western region of the country.

Abdul Hamid, 33, a resident of Dumuria village in Godagari upazila said he and his brother have been catching fish in the River Padma for about 10 years.

He said fish production in the river has been increasing for the last four to five years due to strict vigilance by the authorities concerned and law enforcers.

Release of fish fries of different varieties into the river by local fisheries officials has also pushed up fish production, he said, adding that if the river is dredged every year during the lean period, fish production would multiply.

Sohrab Hossain, a resident of Parila village in Paba upazila, said he started fish farming with an investment of Tk 10,000 only. In his ponds, there are large-sized fishes weighing about 10-12 kg each. 

He informed that he catches fishes from his ponds and takes them to the markets in drums filled with water. The price of live fish is higher than dead ones.

Mr Hossain is not only selling fish in the markets here but also supplying live fish to Dhaka. He has been supplying live fish to New Market and various markets in Dhaka for last four years.

Officials working at Department of Fisheries and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank have helped him achieve great success in fish production, he added.   

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/09/08/106934