RAKUB’s programme for boosting fish output gains popularity

RAJSHAHI, Mar 6  (BSS):  The special credit programme of Rajshahi
Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) for boosting fish production has gained momentum in the country's northwest region in the last couple of years.  The bank has been operating the special loan programme styled "Rakub Fisheries Village" for extensive fish cultivation in the region.
The main objective of the programme is to encourage small farmers in fish farming so that they could produce more fish in the small ponds and other water-bodies using modern and scientific technologies instead of traditional ones.
The programme has given emphasis on forming fisheries villages with at least 10 to12 small ponds at potential places.
Talking to the news agency here, Deputy Managing Director of RAKUB Abdul Khaleque Khan said that there was a bright prospect for increasing fish production in the northern districts with optimum uses of the existing natural resources.
He said the bank has selected the fisheries sector on priority basis for supplementing the government's efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  
At the preliminary stage in 2008-09 fiscal, the RAKUB deputy chief said 56 upazilas and union-level branches of the bank in Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Bogra, Rangpur and Kurigram were selected for disbursing the special loan. But now, all the 371 branches are disbursing the same in 16 districts under Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.  
The Rakub has established an easy process for extending necessary credits to small and medium fish cultivators so that they could contribute to the economic growth of the country, Mr Khan added.
The farmers having experiences of fish farming and at least four-week training programme on improved fish cultivation are being given preference to get the loan.