BFDC pairs up with JICA to modernise landing centre
FE REPORT | Friday, 29 March 2024
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joined hands with an eye to modernising the Fish Landing Centre in Cox's Bazar.
To this end, JICA signed a grant agreement of 2,294 million Japanese yen (Tk 1.65 billion) to implement a project for the improvement of the centre. The deal-signing ceremony was held at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on Thursday, according to a statement.
Under the project, JICA and BFDC will work together for infrastructural upgradation within the centre, and improve management skills among BFDC officials.
JICA Bangladesh chief representative Ichiguchi Tomohide and ERD secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky signed the deal.
Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Iwama Kiminori, BFDC chairman Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider and officials from JICA, ERD, BFDC and the Embassy of Japan were present at the programme.
The country's fisheries sector, the second-largest earner after textiles, employs 11.8 per cent of the population, with 40 per cent of artisanal fishers in Cox's Bazar, reads the statement.
Yet, factors like natural disasters and ageing facilities hinder efficient landing, thereby contributing to a high poverty rate of more than 32 per cent, surpassing the national average of 24 per cent.
The influx of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMNs) and Covid-19 have driven up demand for livelihood improvement and poverty reduction, it says.
Development partners and non-governmental organisations assist the FDMNs, but host communities struggle to access relief and support. The Fish Landing Centre handles more than 85 per cent of the total fish catch in Cox's Bazar.
However, damage from a 2012 cyclone has left parts of the quay, jetties and landing facilities in disrepair, making restoration challenging both financially and technically.
Additionally, fishers face income challenges due to declining prices and post-harvest losses from inefficient landing processes and poor handling, impacting the quality and freshness of fish.
Against this backdrop, the project aims to improve the efficiency of landing, handling and quality of fish catch through upgrading landing facilities and related equipment at the centre, cites the statement.
It also seeks to contribute to the improvement of productivity of fishermen and decrease of post-harvest loss rate in the distribution system.
JICA has already conducted a survey to assess the feasibility of improving the centre in Cox's Bazar. The outcome indicates that improving the centre will lead to enhanced capacity in the fisheries value chain.
The project will contribute to achieving SDG-01 (no poverty), SDG-02 (zero hunger), SDG-03 (good health and well-being), SDG-13 (climate action) and SDG-14 (life below water), according to the statement.