Cropland fish farming up in Jhalakathi

There has been a noticeable expansion of fish cultivation in
enclosures (ghers) on cropland in the district this year.The situation is to be attributed to the increasing practice of
cultivating fish in enclosures due to drastic fall in fish production
in the local rivers and canals.
In Jhalakathi, the present annual demand of fish is around 10,766
tonnes but fish production in the district till last year was 4,446
tonnes.
But the Department of Fisheries in the district is expecting to meet
the deficit of 3,318 tonnes and even achieve a surplus production of
fish since the number of enclosures (ghers) is on the rise.
Under the IAPP project this year arrangements were made to produce
mono-sex tilapia in 28 nurseries and eggs of white fish in 108 ponds.
Besides, initiatives were taken to produce fish fry in different ponds
of the district.
This year, fish enclosures (ghers) were expanded on 106 hectares of
land in the district and those who already made enclosures are
expanding those to make more profit.
Those who used to cultivate fish in their ponds are now cultivating
fast growing monosex tilapia in their paddy fields.
Some are expanding the enclosures to cultivate local shing, koi and
magur fishes.
In different upazilas where fish production was nominal, this year
fish cultivation has been increased to 20-25 acres of land.
Overall, fish production has got a boost with the increasing practice
of fish farming in enclosures on cropland in Jhalakathi.
Abul Bashar of Gabkhan village of Sadar upazila, who returned from
America, has started fish cultivation digging holes on three acres of
paddy filed spending Tk6.00 lakh and released 42,000 fish fries in his
pond.
Rezaul Karim of the same village has been successful in cultivating
tilapia fish.
He has started cultivating monosex tilapia making enclosure by digging
soil on 3-4 acres of a paddy field beside his house.
UP member Zahidul Islam of Deoulkathi village said he started
cultivating fish on one bigha of land adopting the same method
following advice of the local fisheries office.
He added in his union alone more than 10 acres of land were brought
under fish cultivation by this process this year independently or
jointly.
Jhalakathi district fisheries officer Rezaul Karim said this year fish
production has increased extensively and efforts are on to maintain
it.
He also expected that from this year Jhalakathi district will turn
into a ‘fish surplus’ district after meeting the deficit.
(UNB, Jhalakathi)

Leave a Reply