July 19, 2006

World Bank and FAO to lease out 100 fish farms in Bangladesh

A joint-review mission of the World Bank (WB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Monday (Jul 17) recommended leasing out to private operators some 100 fish farms currently operated by the Bangladeshi government.

The joint review mission felt that the private sector has comparative advantages in operating the fish farms, the recommendation said.

The review mission also rated the government's "Fourth Fisheries Project" which was supported by the World Bank, as a success as it boosted fish and shrimp production.

Inland open water fisheries are crucial to poor communities and would continue to provide an important safety net to the rural landless poor, a World Bank statement said.

Fish production increased in these areas by 65 percent, while shrimp production increased by 15-30 percent in four coastal polders in Bangladesh.

Further, aquaculture production increased by 45 percent among 200,000 trained farmers in 8000 villages in the country.

The fisheries sector in Bangladesh contribute to 67 percent of the animal protein intake in the local diet and provides full-time employment to 1.2 million people.