Indoor hilsa farming to debut in Bangladesh as PRAN-RFL plans Tk430cr JV

In a move that could reshape the future of Bangladesh's national fish, PRAN-RFL Group is planning to farm hilsa for the first time in the country using advanced indoor aquaculture technology – an approach never before attempted commercially in the country.

The initiative will use recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology and be implemented jointly with Denmark-based Assentoft Aqua Limited, with an investment of €30 million, or around Tk430 crore.

Alongside hilsa, the project also plans to culture Asian seabass (coral) and other marine fish in the high-tech and fully controlled indoor environment. An agreement for the project was signed yesterday between PRAN-RFL Group and Assentoft Aqua.

The facility is expected to be set up at the Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram or another suitable location agreed upon by both parties. The full investment will be rolled out in two to three phases over the next two years.

Hilsa is not only Bangladesh's national fish but also a powerful cultural symbol, carrying deep emotional value and commanding an increasingly high value in international markets.

Demand has been rising steadily among Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia. Yet exports remain limited due to dependence on natural sources, changes in river systems and seasonal fishing bans. 

High domestic demand also means hilsa is often scarce, even at premium prices.

According to the Department of Fisheries, while overall production has increased in recent years, there is still a shortage of export-quality hilsa. Industry insiders say success in controlled hilsa farming could therefore mark a major breakthrough.

PRAN Group Managing Director Eleash Mridha told TBS the company was responding to growing local and global demand for premium marine fish.

"In view of the rising demand for quality marine fish at home and abroad, PRAN Group wants to farm these species in Bangladesh using modern RAS technology," he said. 

"Assentoft Aqua has already been producing fish at an industrial scale in developed countries using this technology in limited spaces. Through this project, industrial-scale seabass production will begin in Bangladesh for the first time."

How RAS technology works

Recirculating aquaculture system, or RAS, is a fully controlled indoor fish farming method where water quality, temperature, oxygen, salinity and waste management are managed through technology. The same water is treated and reused repeatedly, reducing water use and lowering the risk of disease compared to conventional systems.

Under the project, the entire production chain will be established, including broodstock management, hatchery and nursery facilities. The target weight for each hilsa fish has been set at between 1.2 and 1.5 kilograms. 

Once fully operational, the facility aims to produce around 2,000 tonnes of hilsa fish per year, a large share of which is intended for export.

Can hilsa be farmed?

Hilsa is a migratory fish, and for decades it was considered unsuitable for farming. In recent years, however, research trials on raising hilsa in controlled environments have begun in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. 

Large-scale commercial production remains rare, making the PRAN-RFL–Assentoft initiative unusual on a global scale.

Dr Amirul Islam, a senior scientist at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), told The Business Standard that hilsa farming is scientifically very challenging.

"The biggest challenge is controlling the hilsa's life cycle and breeding behaviour," he said. "There is no successful record of hilsa farming so far."

If successful, such projects could reduce pressure on natural river systems and open up new export opportunities, he added.

Danish expertise and local ambition

Assentoft Aqua Limited is internationally known for its work with RAS technology. Its associate company, Mariscco ApS, has been providing technical support for fish farming projects in Bangladesh and other countries since 2016, including hatchery design, broodstock management and full RAS solutions.

Dr Jens Ole Olesen, business development director of Assentoft Aqua, said the company was ready to implement an RAS-based fish farming project in Bangladesh with financing guaranteed by the Danish government.

"We are optimistic about our partnership with PRAN-RFL Group," he said.

PRAN-RFL Group is one of Bangladesh's largest agro and food processing companies, with a strong presence in food, agriculture, dairy, beverages and export-oriented products. 

Through this new fisheries venture, the group aims to enter the production and export of high-value marine fish, adding a new chapter to its expanding portfolio, according to the group's managing director, Eleash Mridha.