FoodTechBangladesh opens Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Mymensingh
The new facility aims to promote advanced aquaculture technologies, improve fish farming productivity and strengthen Bangladesh's competitiveness in global markets.
FoodTechBangladesh has inaugurated its Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Tarakanda, Mymensingh, aiming to accelerate technology-driven, sustainable and commercially viable fish farming in Bangladesh.
The centre, inaugurated today (21 July), is expected to promote the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies and strengthen the country's fisheries sector.
Director General of the Department of Fisheries Md Khaled Konok attended the inauguration as chief guest, while Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel was the special guest. Around 200 representatives from government agencies, private companies, development partners, research institutions, academia and the aquaculture industry attended the event.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Speakers said Bangladesh is the world's fifth-largest producer of fish from inland aquaculture. In fiscal year 2023-24, the country produced around 50 lakh tonnes of fish, with 59.34% coming from inland aquaculture. Despite this, fish and fish products account for only about 1% of the country's export earnings. They said greater adoption of advanced technologies could significantly improve productivity and boost Bangladesh's competitiveness in global markets.
FoodTechBangladesh is a five-year public-private partnership (PPP) programme launched in 2022 with co-funding from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. It is jointly implemented by Larive International and LightCastle Partners and brings together organisations from Bangladesh and the Netherlands to promote technology transfer, farmer training, commercial pilot projects and stronger market linkages.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Joris van Bommel described FoodTechBangladesh as a successful model of collaboration between the government, research institutions and the private sector. He said the Centre of Excellence would help expand access to modern technologies, encourage private investment and develop skilled human resources for the aquaculture sector.
Khaled Konok said the Netherlands' success in achieving high agricultural productivity on limited land offers valuable lessons for Bangladesh. He said combining government support with advanced technologies could further accelerate the development of the country's fisheries sector.
Larive International Senior Project Manager Rogier Bakker and officials from the Research and Development Department of Fishtech (BD) Ltd presented the project's progress and research findings. They highlighted the potential of the In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) and Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technologies to increase fish production, improve water and feed management, and make commercial fish farming more profitable.
