How fish farmers are riding Bhaluka’s aquaculture boom
Bhaluka upazila is one of the main aquaculture hubs in Mymensingh, with approximately 15,342 ponds and more than 329 beels. The region’s soil, water resources, and climate allows it to produce around 80,000 tonnes of fish per year
Babul Hossain, 27, from Dakatia village in Bhaluka, Mymesingh had just completed his HSC exam in 2019 and was planning to continue his studies. But life took a different turn.
As the Covid-19 pandemic struck and job markets shrank across the country, he decided not to wait for someone to hire him. "I wanted to do something on my own," he recalls.
Coming from a family long involved in fish farming, Babul chose to take that trade seriously. And over the past four years, he has turned his fish farm into a thriving business.
Starting with an investment of around Tk30 lakh, his first large sale brought him Tk40 lakh in returns. Since then, the numbers have only grown — last year alone, his Tk55 lakh investment brought in Tk78 lakh revenue from two ponds, stocked mainly with Pangas and some local fish like Rui, Katla, Mrigal, Kalibaus and Tilapia.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Most people around here have found success in fish farming," Babul said, feeding his fish as he spoke. Every day, he uses eight to 10 sacks of feed, each weighing 50 kilograms, while managing with just one worker whose salary is Tk10,000 a month.
He says the work is not too difficult — maintaining water quality and oxygen levels is key. "There's no government help, but we manage," he added with a smile. Alongside the ponds, Babul also runs a small poultry farm, though he admits, "Fish is more profitable."
Younger people are also entering the sector. Rahat Islam Fahad, a 19-year-old first-year intermediate student from Angargara village, leased a pond for three years at Tk24,000 and stocked it with fish worth roughly Tk25,000, using his savings. He manages the pond with two partners and spends about Tk18,000 monthly on feed.
"I've watched fish farming since childhood and always wanted to try it," Fahad said. Guidance from an experienced farmer encouraged him to take the leap.
Mymensingh's aquaculture hub
Bhaluka upazila is one of the main aquaculture hubs in Mymensingh, with approximately 15,342 ponds and more than 329 beels — natural wetlands formed by monsoon flooding.
The region's soil, water resources, and climate make it highly suitable for fish production. Farmers cultivate Pangas, Rui, Katla, Tilapia, and minor carps, often using polyculture systems.
This thriving local ecosystem reflects a broader trend across Mymensingh, which is home to more than 100,000 fish farmers. At present, the fish produced in the division is valued at over Tk12,000 crore in the market, contributing around 12% of the country's total fish production.
Bangladesh's fish production reached 50.18 lakh tonnes in FY24, with aquaculture contributing 59.34% or about 29.79 lakh tonnes. The number of aquaculture ponds across the country has grown steadily, from 9.12 lakh in 2009 to 23.69 lakh in 2024, showing how much the sector has expanded.
Notably, more than 10 million people in Bangladesh depend on fisheries for their livelihoods. The sector is important for the economy too as it is contributing 1.24% of export earnings, 3.57% of the GDP, and 26.5% of the agricultural GDP.
Even though Bangladesh produces enough fish — more than the nation's demand — prices remain high because we still import many raw materials for feed production. This makes a large part of a farmer's cost go on feed. The situation needs serious attention so that farmers can earn more profit.
Kizar Ahmed Sumon, professor and head of the Department of Fisheries Management at Bangladesh Agricultural University, highlighted the natural advantages that make Bhaluka a hotspot for fish farming.
"Nature plays a huge role in the success of fish farming here and across the entire Mymensingh region," he said. "The water has no salinity, the temperature is ideal for fish growth, rainfall is sufficient, and the area is largely free from river erosion or flooding."
A 2024 study titled 'Present Status, Impact, and Challenges of Fish Farming at Bhaluka Upazila in Bangladesh' and published in Turkish Journal of Bioscience and Collections shows that over half of fish farmers in Bhaluka (53.33%) are aged 41–60, 36.67% are 31–40, and 10% are between 20–30. In terms of education, 53.33% have completed secondary school, 23.33% primary school, 10% are graduates or higher, and 13.33% are illiterate.
Moreover, in the whole region, 73.33% rely on fish farming as their primary source of income, while 26.67% practice it alongside other occupations.
Funding for fish farming comes mainly from personal savings (43.33%), bank loans (33.33%), and other sources — including NGOs, company loans, informal lenders, or relatives (23.33%).
The study also reveals that 76.67% farmers had no prior experience in fish farming before starting. Although some training is provided by government organisations and NGOs, the traditional knowledge passed down through families and neighbours remains widely used.
Daily work involves feeding fish, checking water quality, repairing pond walls, and maintaining structures, often alongside other agricultural or small business tasks.
Diseases, rising feed costs testing farmers' resilience
Disease continues to challenge farmers; tail and fin rot affects 70% of local farms, epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) strikes 60%, argulosis affects 40%, and an unidentified disease impacts 20% of pond fish, according to the study.
Winter temperatures slow fish metabolism, making them more vulnerable to infection. On the other hand, rising feed costs, which can account for up to 70% of production expenses, along with limited access to quality fish seeds and scarce financial support, test the resilience of Bhaluka's fish farmers.
Jalal Uddin has been involved in fish farming alongside other businesses since 2012, just as the industry was beginning to boom. He started with a single pond, and today he manages around 25 acres of large ponds, producing over Tk1 crore worth of fish every year.
"The rising cost of feed is a major challenge," he said. "In the initial phase, when we stock the baby fish, they require only a moderate amount of feed. But as they grow and reach the final phase before selling, their feed requirement increases significantly. For example, we might use 25 sacks of feed daily during the early and middle phases, but by the final phase, it can exceed 100 sacks every day. So, you can imagine the challenges we face."
Bhaluka fish farms' contribution to the economy
Each day in Bhaluka, fish farmers balance routine tasks with market demands. Feed is measured carefully, water oxygen levels monitored, and pond walls inspected for cracks. Babul walks along the edge of his ponds, observing the Pangas surfacing for feed while the Tilapias glide silently beneath.
"Maintaining water quality and oxygen levels is key," he said, pointing to a small aerator spinning gently in one corner of the pond.
The sector contributes significantly to the local economy. Ponds supply urban centres such as Dhaka, while semi-intensive systems, mixed-species ponds, and improved feeding strategies have increased yields and profitability.
National fish exports reached Tk4,531.86 crore in FY24. Bhaluka's fish farms range from small, student-run ponds like Fahad's to larger commercial operations like Babul's and Jalal's, integrating man-made ponds with natural wetlands.
Polyculture practices, consistent pond management, and access to hatcheries and nurseries allow farmers to maintain production year-round. Younger farmers are learning alongside older, experienced ones, gaining skills while continuing education or pursuing other work.
Bhaluka's fish farming also intersects with the rhythms of the seasons.
During the monsoon, water levels rise in the beels, creating natural breeding grounds for fry. In winter, farmers take extra care to maintain pond temperature and oxygenation.
Feed and water quality are adjusted according to the changing climate, and disease management becomes critical. These seasonal adjustments align with national patterns of aquaculture, ensuring both local and regional supply.
The daily work, combined with a growing pool of educated and trained farmers, has contributed to the sector's resilience.
Even with recurring diseases, high feed costs, and occasional financial constraints, production continues steadily. Farmers like Babul and Fahad demonstrate the integration of traditional knowledge with modern aquaculture techniques, providing insights into how rural livelihoods adapt to economic and environmental pressures.
Professor Sumon sees a bright future for the region's aquaculture, noting that it could also help reduce youth unemployment by creating more livelihood opportunities.
However, he cautions that while farmers are earning profits, market realities are a concern.
"Even though Bangladesh produces enough fish — more than the nation's demand — prices remain high because we still import many raw materials for feed production," he explained. "This makes a large part of a farmer's cost go on feed. The situation needs serious attention so that farmers can earn more profit."
Md Saidur Rahman, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Bhaluka, proudly states, "Bhaluka leads the top position in the Mymensingh region in white fish production, including Pangas, Tilapia, Mrigal and other carp varieties. Every year, the region produces around 80,000 tonnes of fish.
"Many fish farmers also run poultry farms. They often use poultry waste to feed their fish, as feed accounts for nearly 70% of production costs," he added.
