February 26, 2010

Bangladesh establishes shrimp research institute to uphold standard

A Shrimp Research Institute was constructed in the district with a view to maintain qualitative standard of shrimps and raise Bangladesh's production using modern technologies.

The work on the research institute began on eight acres of land at Boitpur near Doratana River adjacent to the district town in September 2006. The work has been completed one and a half years ahead of the scheduled time. The operation of the institute is likely to commence in March.

Chairman of Lockpur Group Industries S M Amjad Hossain said, with the application of modern technologies it is possible to export shrimp worth BDT10,000 crore per year.

Project Director of the Shrimp Research Institute Dr Yahya Mahmud said four laboratories equipped with modern facilities have been constructed in the institute.

The institute will conduct research on maintaining food and nutrition value of shrimp, checking for diseases, maintaining quality of soil and water for ensuring environment-friendly shrimp cultivation, he said.

Shrimp cultivators are being given training on modern technologies of shrimp cultivation in the institute. President of Bagerhat shrimp cultivators association Sheikh Illias Mahmud said huge quantity of shrimps die every year due to virus attack. The cultivators could not do anything as they lack knowledge to deal with the situation.

The institute will be helpful for the shrimp cultivators by giving them training on modern methods of cultivation and raising its production, he said. Shrimp is the second biggest foreign currency earner of the country. But currently, the sector is facing multifarious problems and its export is also declining.

Export from the sector fell by 13.01% to US$355.67 million during July-March of 2008-09 fiscal year from US$408.87 million of the previous year.