Happy story of caged fishery in Bagerhat

Known as cage culture, a new method of fish farming is getting popularity among Bagerhat cultivators.

Fish farming in cages in open water bodies has encouraged the cultivators of four upazilas as they have found it to be profitable by spending low amount because of the scope to grow a higher quantity of fishes, especially tilapia, said fisheries officials and farmers in the district.

Under the 'Fishery Farming Technology Services Extension Project at union level', 40 cages have been installed in the water bodies of Kachua, Rampal, Morrelganj and Sadar upazilas, said District Fisheries Officer Zia Haider Chowdhury, adding that the project that started in 2015 will continue till 2020.

With the help of upazila fisheries office, they built the cages by spending Tk 10,000 to 12,000 each. The cage made of net, bamboo and plastic barrels is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, said fish cultivator Nazrul of Charkathi village in Kachua upazila, adding that, once made, it can be used for up to 10 years.

At first, they formed a group of 20 farmers in each upazila. Later, 10 cages were built in canals and other open water bodies in the areas, said Fisheries Officer Zia Haider.

The farmers can release 800 to 1,000 larvae of tilapia worth Tk 5000 in each cage. Tk 3,000 of food is enough for the fish to be ready for sale within three months.

Thus, it is possible to get Tk 10,000 profit from each cage in three months, said smiling Nazrul.

Due to the cage method, fish grow faster in flowing water. Besides, if there is a problem, it is detected easily and solved quickly. As a result, the farmers get good profit, said the official.