Rajshahi division has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s leading freshwater fish-producing regions, with a remarkable expansion in carp farming including Ruhi and Katla driving annual production beyond 5.5 lakh metric tons across its eight districts. This surge in fish farming has led to daily sales of more than Taka 20 crore worth of fish, meeting local demand and supplying the capital and other regions across the country.
Profitable Fish Farming
The profitability of fish farming has piqued farmers' interest, leading to an increase in the number of ponds in Rajshahi. Faced with losses in traditional crops, many farmers have turned to excavating ponds and engaging in fish farming, finding it more lucrative. The Department of Fisheries, Rajshahi Divisional Office reported that there are a total of 449,653 ponds in the eight districts of the division, with 165,706 fish farmers.
Economic Impact and Employment
Annually, 596,467 metric tons of fish are produced in Rajshahi, of which 150,000 metric tons are sent to different parts of the country after meeting local demand. This not only creates employment opportunities for nearly 300,000 people but also contributes to fish exports abroad. Fisheries Department officials noted that the process of sending fresh fish from Rajshahi began 24 years ago, with fresh fish now being sent daily to at least 25 districts, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Barishal, Sylhet, and Mymensingh.
Success Stories
Gulam Saklain of Durgapur Upazila in Rajshahi started fish farming in 1994 with a small pond and a capital of Taka 7,000. His initial profit of Taka 6,000 encouraged him to expand, and he now leases ponds covering 1,000 bighas, creating employment for 152 people. Similarly, Mosharraf Hossain of Parila village has been sending fish to Dhaka and other districts for 14 years, with ponds on about 22 bighas of land.
Challenges and Support
Despite the success, fish farmers face challenges such as increased feed prices and transportation costs. Idris Ali, another fish farmer from Durgapur Upazila, highlighted the need for financial assistance from the Department of Fisheries. However, the department organizes various advice and seminars, which are beneficial for farmers.
Future Prospects
Saifuddin Yahia, Director of the Rajshahi Divisional Fisheries Department, noted that mixed fish farming, which was once exclusive to Rajshahi, is now being adopted in other districts. This practice, which includes farming Rohu, Silver Carp, Katla, and native small fish, maintains pond balance and creates a large market outside Rajshahi. Additionally, pabda fish is regularly exported to India, showcasing the region's potential for further growth in fish farming.
