Mymensingh gets new aquaculture research centre

A research centre for aquaculture was inaugurated in Mymensingh yesterday under the FoodTechBangladesh project, an initiative of Fishtech (BD) Ltd.

Tilapia cultivation has already begun at the centre, and shrimp and prawn cultivation will start soon, said Nazmul Islam, technical services officer for research and development at Fishtech (BD) Ltd.

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He told The Daily Star that the centre will support research, demonstration, training, and technology extension for Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.

FoodTechBangladesh is a joint Bangladesh-Netherlands initiative to boost technology, research, and market linkages in fisheries, funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh with partners, including Larive International, Fishtech (BD) Limited, De Heus, Viqua Water Solutions, LightCastle Partners, and Gemini Sea Food.

The centre features Tank RAS and Pond RAS technologies, a disease diagnosis laboratory, and a water quality testing facility, bringing diagnosis, monitoring, research, and consultation under one roof, Islam said.

It also offers training and internships for farmers, hatchery owners, entrepreneurs, students, and researchers.

Imran Hossain, senior technical services officer at Fishtech (BD) Limited, said combined efforts of government, development partners, and the private sector would make the sector more productive.

Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel called the centre an example of the “Dutch Diamond Approach”, where government, research institutions, and the private sector work together for sustainable development.

FoodTechBangladesh brings together six Dutch and Bangladeshi companies coordinated by Larive International, he said.

Bangladesh is among the world’s leading inland fish producers, with aquaculture central to food security, nutrition, employment, and incomes, van Bommel said, adding that farmers now face rising climate risks and growing demand for safe, traceable food.

Aquaculture’s share of fish production has grown from about 10 percent two to three decades ago to more than 60 percent today, said Md Khaled Kanak, director general of the Department of Fisheries.

“It is essential to disseminate technology to farmers, and by strengthening public-private partnerships, we can sustain this progress,” he said.

He added that RAS is key to producing more food on shrinking land, and that integrating aquaculture with the blue economy could expand the sector further.