Experts and stakeholders at a regional conference on Tuesday said that modern aquaculture technology can help Bangladesh and neighbouring countries boost fish production by 5.0 to 10 times.
At "Aquacon" in Colombo, they pointed out that lack of technology transfer and investment are the key obstacles to the upgradation of potential aquaculture and its exports to different overseas markets.
The US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) organised the gathering of South Asian aquaculture experts in Sri Lanka. Kevin Roepke, USSEC regional director (South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa), moderated the function.
Experts, agro-farm owners, investors, fund providers, technology solution companies and feed producers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and the USA took part in the event.
Bangladesh's farmers and entrepreneurs who attended the meeting noted that modern technology can boost the country's fish production by 5 to 10 times.
They sought government policy support to facilitate protein production.
Syed Ferdous Murad, director at Hossain Agro in Bangladesh, said in his presentation that the country needs some international investment in agro-processing, especially in the aquaculture sector, to boost production as well as expand exports.
"We need modern technology. We need multiple funding options for boosting investment opportunities. Foreign investments can transfer upgraded technology as well as capital to Bangladesh," he added.
In a separate interview with the FE, USSEC Regional Director Mr Kevin Roepke said that Bangladesh has a big consumer base and its aquaculture expansion has huge potential.
"We are working with Bangladeshi start-ups and aquaculture enterprises to upgrade technology as well as the quality of food production."
"Our main focus is on South Asia and Bangladesh to support their upgradation," he added.
USSEC Bangladesh Representative Khaibur Rahman Kanchan said that many agro-based start-ups are coming forward to Bangladesh with their commercial fish farming.
He added that some of them are adopting modern technology like the "In-Pond Raceway System", or IPRS, in fish production.
The country now needs the adoption of modern technology and joint venture investment to expand its potential aquaculture, Mr Kanchan said.
Moni Zaman, a venture capital expert from Bangladesh, said that aquaculture entrepreneurs should approach venture capital providers for more investment support. It will boost the country's fish and other agro-based productions.
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