Fisheries DG stresses cultivation of indigenous fish species

SYLHET, Aug 07: Director-General of the Fisheries Department Abu Sayeed Md Rashedul Haque visited the fish cultivation activities of women groups at a programme at village Eolarket of Sylhet Sadar upazila on Tuesday.

While addressing the female members the official laid emphasis on expanding farming of indigenous fish species, which were on decline day by day.

Mr Haque said Mola, Dhela, Darkina and other small fish varieties are rich in nutritional value and these are helpful to the expecting mothers and young children.

The government would extend all out assistance for raising the fish production of local species alongside the carp fish varieties and others, he added.

With assistance from the European Union and DFID and in cooperation with the Fisheries Department, the 'Suchona' project has been working for women empowerment in 20 upazilas of Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts through FIVDB, a regional NGO.

The DG later released fish fries in a pond at the village.

He also asked the group members for organising financing activities on their own for a sustainable future.

Chief Scientific Officer of Fisheries Department Md Ramjan Ali, Sylhet Divisional Deputy Director Md. Sultan Ahemd, Chief of Party of the ' Suchona' project Sheikh Shahed Rahman, Senior Manager Nabuinur Rahman, Project Dircetor Arif Ahmed and others were present.

Under the programme 75,000 poor and low-income families in 157 unions are being trained with improved method of fish cultivation in addition to input supply and technical support.

With a target to improving the nutrition intake of the rural mothers and children they are also being supported for farming of climate-friendly vegetables and poultry bird rearing.

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