July 15, 2011

Bangladesh to boost fish output to reduce poverty

Bangladesh plans to increase fish production to reduce the number of ultra-poor to 15% from the existing 25% by 2013.

Under the programme, the annual fish production will be increased to 34.78 lakh tonnes as part of enhancing food security in the country, according to Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Abdul Latif Biswas. Total fish production was 28.99 lakh tonnes in the country in fiscal 2009-10.

He hoped that it would be possible to increase the production to the expected level under the sixth five-year plan by the end of 2013. This will generate employment opportunities, alleviate poverty and expand social safety net among the ultra poor in rural areas, he said.

The minister said a project named 'Integrated Fisheries Livelihood' will be implemented with the financial assistance of World Bank. This US$156 million project will be undertaken in the current fiscal year with the assistance of World Bank, FAO, USAID and DFID, he added. Latif Biswas termed World Bank as an old and trusted friend and thanked it for including Bangladesh in its global fisheries study programme.

The workshop was told that fish resources meet 40-80% of the total demand of protein in the country. It is possible to meet the growing demand of nutrition by increasing fish production through effective measures.