Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today emphasized the critical importance of ensuring safe feed in aquaculture to support sustainable fish production and food security. “Safe feed means safe fish, and that is why we remain concerned about it. Aquaculture depends largely on feed and its quality directly affects both production and consumer safety,” she stated during the inauguration of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence at Dera Resort in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and FisTech BD Ltd. Farida Akhter highlighted a broader vision of sustainability, noting that it involves not only the survival of the industry but also the protection of the environment, ensuring livelihoods, and maintaining harmony with society. She called for greater priority on safety, sustainable development, and livelihoods, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring by the Department of Fisheries and other stakeholders.
Referring to the July 2024 July Uprising, Farida Akhter remarked on the significance of creating opportunities for young people in aquaculture to provide prospects for good income and sustainable employment. She also noted the effectiveness of modern technologies like the In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) in increasing fish production but stressed the importance of keeping alternative systems for the future.
Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel praised the Centre of Excellence under the FoodTech Bangladesh programme as a prime example of Bangladesh-Netherlands partnership. He highlighted the centre’s role in bringing together government, private sector, and development partners to exchange knowledge, showcase modern technologies, and support farmers and fishers. He observed that such initiatives are crucial as Bangladesh advances its Blue Economy agenda, making the aquaculture sector more sustainable and competitive.
The event also featured addresses from Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md Abdur Rauf and FisTech Chairman Khandaker Farhad Hossain. Other notable attendees included Fisheries Department Director S M Rezaul Karim, First Secretary (Economic Affairs) of the Netherlands Embassy Tim Spaans, First Secretary (Human Rights Affairs and Gender) Jan Swillens, as well as teachers from various universities, aquaculture entrepreneurs, and fish farmers.
In the afternoon, Adviser Farida Akhter visited the Department of Fisheries’ Crab Hatchery and Nursery Complex in Cox’s Bazar’s Kolatoli, where she inspected the PCR lab of the Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project and other under-construction facilities.