Biofloc fish farming becoming popular in Naogaon

NAOGAON, Oct 08: Fish farming by using biofloc technology is gaining popularity in the district due to its easy management process and cost-effectiveness.

Many youths of the district are trying to change their lot through this modern fish farming method.

Samiul Alam, a honours student and resident of Kujail Khanpara village under Raninagar upazila, is one of the trend-setters in biofloc fish cultivation in the district.

Samiul ventured into his fish farming project in March this year after taking part in a three-day long training programme and is now getting profit from it.

He said, "Taking an one acre pond on lease in the area costs around Tk 0.1 million per year. But in the biofloc method, the same capacity of water body can be set up in one's homestead with only five to six tanks."

"Borrowing money from my father, I set up two concrete tanks in my homestead. For security purposes, I enclosed the tanks with tin fence and covered them with roof. Besides, submersible pump, two motors for water and oxygen supply, and some other equipment were needed to set up the tanks."

Samiul said, "I purchased some 6,000 catfish fingerlings from nearest Bogura district and started my dream project. As I started for the first time, I had to spend around Tk 0.2 million to complete the whole process."

"My fishes are growing rapidly and I sold 50 kgs of fish a few days ago", he added.

Chandar Kumar Sarkar of the same area said he started biofloc fish farming with one tank following Samiul Alam.

"Biofloc method decreases expenses for food significantly as no foods are wasted. After the first time set-up cost, one can farm fish in the tanks for a long time", he added.

Firoz Ahmed, district fisheries officer, said some 150 young people of the district received training on biofloc fish farming at the beginning of the year.

"Now we are seeing results of the training programme. The tank-based fish farming is also reducing people's tendency to excavate ponds on farmland," Mr Ahmed said adding people should know details of the boifloc fish farming method, otherwise they might incur losses for lack of proper knowledge regarding this new technology."

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