Synergistic partnership needed to promote growth of aquaculture

Synergistic partnership among two or more organisations is needed to foster the growth of aquaculture, said speakers at a workshop in the capital on Monday.

Besides, a market system approach is essential for the inclusive growth in the country’s aquaculture sector, they said.

WorldFish Bangladesh under the Feed the Future Bangladesh Aquaculture and Nutrition Activity project financed by USAID arranged the event at Six Season Hotel in the capital’s Gulshan 2.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Manjurul Karim, Chief of Party, Bangladesh Aquaculture Activity, said, “The project works primarily in partnership with the private sector. Various initiatives taken through this project to achieve growth in the fisheries sector have brought benefits.”

The project, which started in 2018, has reached 385,000 fishermen in 23 districts, he said.

“Increased productivity of aquaculture production systems; strengthened aquaculture market systems, with particular attention to expanding opportunities for women and youth and increased awareness and adoption of nutrition-related behaviours, with a particular focus on women and youth, is the goal of the project,” he said.

Senior Market System Specialist of the project Zahirul Islam said the partnerships that have been developed with the private sector through aquaculture activities have all benefited commercially.

“Each of them has a business growth rate of at least 10 to 15 per cent, in some cases even more,” he said.

The participants discussed how to move the fisheries sector forward in market management systems through cooperation after the project. The Bangladesh Aquaculture Activity Project will expire in November this year.