Fisheries adviser urges JICA to expand livelihood project to all coastal regions
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged development partners to join hands with the government to improve the quality of life in Bangladesh's coastal regions. She underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance the livelihoods of both local fishermen and displaced Rohingya communities residing along the Bay of Bengal.
She made the call while addressing the "Mid-term Progress Review Workshop on Fisheries Livelihood Enhancement Project in the Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal (FiLEP)" as chief guest. The day-long workshop was held on Sunday, 26 May, at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka.
The adviser highlighted that projects such as dry fish (shutki) processing and tilapia farming could serve as effective tools to boost incomes among marginalised groups. She noted that the Bangladesh government, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is well positioned to support these initiatives.
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"Fish and rice define the Bengali identity. Alongside rice production, fish and livestock are essential for meeting our nutritional needs," she said, calling on development partners to step forward in supporting fisherfolk and coastal communities.
Praising the progress of FiLEP, the adviser requested JICA to expand the project to all coastal districts. Such an expansion, she said, would bolster resilience in climate-vulnerable areas and advance the country's vision of a sustainable blue economy.
"We must ensure that no small-scale fisher is left behind. Let us work together to uphold the dignity of coastal communities and promote sustainable development," she added.
The event was chaired by Dr Md Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Department of Fisheries. Other speakers included Suraiya Akhter Jahan, Chairperson of the Fishery Development Corporation; Anuradha Bhadra, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Ms Miura Mari, Senior Representative of the JICA Bangladesh Office; and FiLEP Chief Adviser SUGIYAMA Shunji. The keynote was presented by Project Director Md Asaduzzaman, with fisheries officials from various departments in attendance.
