Ethnic youths in Barind area becoming self-reliant by farming swamp eels

BOGRA, Apr 15: Hundreds of youth have been becoming self-reliant by cultivating Cuchia (swamp eel) for the last five years in the Barind area.
According to the district fisheries department farmers, especially ethnic people, of Bogra, Joypurhat, Pabna, Sirajganj, Naogaon, Natore, Chapainaowabgonj and Rajsghai districts started rearing the fish variety on an experimental basis. Now, they are cultivating the fish commercially due to repeated satisfactory yield and good market price and high profit.
President of Cuchia Cultivation Project, Supod Hembroy, Chanduria union council under Tanore upazila, said the fish is being cultivating in 780 hectares of waterland.
"Cuchia has changed our life. Many of us are now financially solvent by cultivating the fish", he added.
The fisheries department provides necessary supports to encourage the farmers to increase farming of the fish, said farmer Hamidul Islam of Panchbibi upazila. He said Cuchia farming is more profitable than any other fish varieties.
Sub-assistant fisheries officer of Tanore upazila said farmers make a profit every year through exporting Cuchia to India.
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