Representative image

KHULNA, April 27, 2025 (BSS) – When indigenous small fishes are nearly extinct, youths in Dumuria upazila are earning handsome amount of money as they are making mola and dhela (small fishes) profitable ones.  

Farmers, particularly unemployed youths are cultivating small species of fishes like mola and dhela as these varieties of indigenous fishes have huge demand in the markets. They (young people) have become self-reliant through cultivating these small species.    

Like many unemployed youths, Sheikh Faruk Hossain, 39, a fisherman from Tipna village in the upazila, has transformed his life through the commercial farming of Mola and Dhela fish.

‘I was unemployed for two and a half years after completing my post-graduation in physics in 2014. During that time, I struggled to support my eight-member family,’ he said.

Now, Faruk earns between Taka 15 and 18 lakh annually from his five bighas of Mola and Dhela fish farms (locally known as gher). “Around 12 to 15 educated, jobless youths are getting employment opportunities in my fish farm now employed at my farm,” Faruk added." 

Other two successful farmers   - - Md Zahurul Islam Gazi of Hasanpur village and  Atiar Rahman of Mechoghona village   - - and many other educated youths have achieved  remarkable success through the farming of local fish species, including Mola and Dhela.

Following the guidance of former Senior Fisheries Officer of Khulna, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, they successfully sold Mola and Dhela fish worth approximately 40 lakh Taka this year. Now, they are planning to expand their production by incorporating advanced farming technologies.

Sohel Md. Zillur Rahman Rigan, Senior Fisheries Officer of Dumuria Upazila said  that many farmers in Dumuria have achieved financial self-reliance through Mola and Dhela fish farming.

He said, “If interested farmers seek required supports, we will provide any assistances to them” 

Talking to BSS, Md. Zahangir Alam, Deputy Director of the Khulna Fisheries Department, explained that transporting Mola and Dhela fish spawn is a complicated process, while transporting fry is much easier. He recommended that farmers focus on producing fry from spawn, as the method helps reduce both costs and risks. 

According to the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in Khulna, around 45,000 tonnes of fish worth approximately Taka 45 billion are expected to be exported from Khulna during the 2024-25 fiscal year (FY).

 In comparison, about 41,000 tonnes of fish worth around Taka 21.46 billion were exported in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Md. Zahangir Alam said that farmers are being trained in various methods of fish cultivation, including Mola and Dhela farming. The Department of Fisheries is focusing on increasing the depth of ponds and ghers, ensuring bio-security, providing lab-tested virus-free PCF fry stocks, and promoting good aquaculture practices.

As a rich source of nutrition, doctors often recommend Mola and Dhela fish to their patients. These fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, help reduce cholesterol levels, enhance children's brain development, and protect adults from heart diseases.

 Farhana Akter, a nutritionist at the Khulna Diabetic Association, emphasized that fish should ideally be cooked with minimal heat and for a short duration to retain its Omega-3 content. Overcooking or deep-frying at high temperatures can lead to the loss of these beneficial fatty acids.