Rajshahi: Rajshahi Division has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s leading freshwater fish-producing regions, expanding its market across the country after meeting local demand.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, freshwater fish from Rajshahi is now being supplied to at least 25 districts across the country, including Dhaka. Neighboring India is also a significant market for Bangladeshi processed fish, mostly supplied from Rajshahi. Massive farming of indigenous species, including Rui, Katla, and Mrigal, has contributed to a significant transformation in the rural economy of North Bengal.
Saifuddin Yahia, Director of the Rajshahi Divisional Fisheries Department, stated that fish farming is being conducted in a total of 449,653 ponds in the eight districts of the Rajshahi division. This involves approximately 1.65 lakh people and results in the production of over five lakh metric tons of fish annually. Official sources noted that after satisfying local demand, around 150,000 metric tons of fish are supplied from Rajshahi to different parts of the country, employing about 300,000 people in the sector.
Natore and Naogaon are at the forefront of carp-type freshwater fish production, with more than five hundred trucks transporting aquatic fish daily from Rajshahi to different parts of the country. Notably, at least 50 trucks of freshwater fish are dispatched every day to the capital and other cities from Parila village in Paba upazila alone.
Mosharraf Hossain, a local resident of Parila village involved in the fish business, has been sending live fish in aquatic systems to Dhaka and other districts for 14 years. He manages ponds on approximately 22 bighas of land. Hossain explained that their business, initially limited to Rajshahi, expanded to other districts, including Dhaka, for better business opportunities. He can transport 1,200 kg of fish in one truck to Dhaka’s New Market and sell them for around Taka three lakh.
Stakeholders highlighted that the demand for Rajshahi fish is highest in the market because live fish are supplied in oxygenated water in trucks using a special process. On average, different varieties worth about Taka 20 crore are sold daily from Rajshahi. Farmers, previously not profiting as expected from crops and other agricultural products, are increasingly turning to commercial pond digging.
Fishery officials pointed out that fish farming in Rajshahi was initially done using a mixed method, but it has now expanded across the division. The scope of commercial farming of local varieties such as Pabda, Shing, Koi, and Magur has also increased. Pabda fish from Rajshahi is regularly exported to India.
To enhance the technical skills of farmers, the Department of Fisheries provides training to more than 1,500 farmers a year on modern pisciculture and safety. However, farmers have reported increased production costs due to rising fish feed prices and truck fares. They suggest that government support to control fish feed prices and financial incentives could further invigorate the sector.