In a major boost for Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector, 800 fish farmers across four regions—Khulna, Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar, and Patuakhali—will undergo skill development training as part of the FoodTechBangladesh project.
The initiative aims to enhance sustainable fish farming practices by leveraging cutting-edge technology from the Netherlands, reads a press release today (12 December).
The project is establishing four Centers of Excellence (CoEs), two of which have already started operations in Rupsa, Khulna, and Majhiali, Mymensingh.
The Khulna centre was inaugurated yesterday (11 December) by Andre Carstens, Charge d’ Affairs at the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Carstens praised the initiative as a model of sustainable aquaculture and international collaboration.
The training programme will focus on advanced farming techniques such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), which enables fish farming in small ponds with optimized water usage.
Special exhibitions and demonstrations at the CoEs will highlight best practices for fish farming.
Dr Iftakharul Alam, senior assistant director of Planning at the Fisheries Department, expressed gratitude to the Dutch Embassy and emphasized the project’s role in fostering partnerships with local universities to drive entrepreneurship and innovation.
Kazi Inam Ahmed, director of Gemcon Group, discussed the transformative potential of technology in aquaculture, while Zahedul Amin, Director of LightCastle Partners, underlined the importance of knowledge transfer in strengthening the aquaculture value chain.
The FoodTechBangladesh Consortium comprises Dutch partners Viqon Water Solutions and De Heus Animal Nutrition, alongside Bangladeshi companies Gemini Seafood and Fishtech Limited. Larive International and LightCastle Partners are implementing the project, which aims to modernize aquaculture practices, improve farm management, and increase the technical capabilities of fish farmers.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance fish production and sustainability in Bangladesh, marking a new chapter in the country’s collaboration with the Netherlands.
