RAJSHAHI, July 31, 2024 (BSS) - Furthermore, boosting fish farming and production through the best uses of existing natural resources can be the best way of reducing protein deficiency, malnutrition and cutting poverty.
 
All the government and non-government organizations concerned and farmers should come forward and work together to boost fish farming along with its production as it plays a vital role to income and employment generation, protein supply and poverty reduction.
 
Administrative officials and experts came up with the observation while addressing a post-rally discussion to mark the inauguration of National Fisheries Week- 2024 here today.

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) and District Administration jointly organized the meeting at the office conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner (DC).

Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the discussion as chief guest, while DC Shamim Ahmed was in the chair.

Divisional Deputy Director of DoF Abdul Wahed Mondal, Superintendent of Police Monirul Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Ashraful Alam and Divisional Fisheries Extension Officer Sanjida Khanom also spoke.

District Fisheries Officer Jahangir Alam welcomed the participants illustrating the district level fisheries extension and development activities besides highlighting the potential of the sector.
 
He told the meeting that Rajshahi district produced 1,08,490 tonnes of fish against the demand of 66,208 tonnes in the last 2023-2024 fiscal year. The district has also attained significant success in fish spawn and fish fingerling production which are also surplus to the existing demand.
 
Fish production has increased significantly in the result after taking multidimensional development and extension programmes, he said.

The fishery officer said about 3,161 kilograms of fish fingerlings were released last year in 771 hectares of internal water bodies to increase fish production.

Jahangir Alam also said the district has been contributing a lot towards supplying live fish to different parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka.

The district has 18,757 registered fishermen and out of them 17,382 have identity cards to receive support and incentives from the government.
 
Referring to the immense prospect of the fisheries sector, Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said fish production could easily be increased to a great extent if the natural resources were utilized properly.

He recommended inspiring the farmers, providing them with the latest scientific technologies and educating them in producing quality fish fries to boost production.
 
Taking part in the discussion, some of the attending fishermen stressed the need for mitigating all the existing problems being faced by the fish farmers to attain the cherished goal.
 
Later, the guests distributed prizes among three fish farmers and three institutions as recognition of their laudable contribution to fish farming and production.
 
Earlier, a colorful rally was brought out from the premises of the Collectorate Building and paraded through some of the thoroughfares before ending at the meeting venue.