Bangladesh is going to have 49 more fish sanctuaries, and see re-excavation of around two hundred ponds or reservoirs and construction of embankment in the coastal areas under a scheme aimed at boosting fish production.
Around 145 beel nurseries will be established, 145 fish-friendly fishing nets be given to fish farmers in coastal areas, fish supply chain be developed, and 29 dry fish exhibitions centres be set up too.
The government has undertaken the project to substantially increase the fish production from current 4.4 million tonnes a year by tackling climate risks.
The project titled “Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project (DOF Part) (CSAWMP-DOF)” has already been approved in a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
Project documents say fish production will be increased in ponds, reservoirs, beels (marshland) and fish sanctuaries.
Government’s another programme launched earlier to provide loan at only 4 percent interest for fish farming in water-bodies in rural areas will supplement the project to boost fish production.
Approved at the ECNEC meeting on August 24, the latest project will cost Tk 106.25 crore. Of the amount, Tk 21.25 crore will be available from government funds while the remaining Tk 75 crore will come as loans.
Ramendra Nath Biswas, Member (Secretary), Department of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions of the Planning Commission, said the project would play a vital role in addressing the risks of climate change in the fisheries sector through the introduction of climate-smart aquaculture technology.
Fisheries sub-sector contributes around 25 percent to the agriculture sector and 3.5 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.
Expansion of business-friendly supply chain and market network will increase the market access of the stakeholders concerned and enhance the capacity of sustainable fisheries management including improving the livelihood of the stakeholders, Ramendra mentioned.
Planning Commission officials said the project would increase fish production and productivity through the introduction of climate-smart aquaculture technology, increase market access of relevant stakeholders through business-friendly supply chain and market network expansion, and enhance sustainable fisheries capacity.
The project will be implemented in 29 upazilas of 18 districts in eight divisions.
An Official of the General Economics Department (GED) said the Eighth Five-Year Plan focuses on improving the skills of existing manpower to address the impacts of climate change, creating alternative employment, developing supply chains and creating value-added products.
In view of these considerations, the project is in line with the Eighth Five-Year Plan, he added.
