Fish culture is the process of raising species of fish in captivity and managing them and their environment to improve growth and reproduction.
Bangladesh has shown significant improvement in fish production. From the past decade, mainly three variety of fish were mass cultivated in bangladesh. The availability of fish fries, intake of artificial foods and market demands have driven the farming of these three varieties of fish. These fishes are: pangas, tilapia, koi. Their availability in local market even in rural areas, have made them a common food ingredient. Increased mass farming has made the three varieties a major source of protein for low-income families while creating jobs and income opportunities for thousands of people in rural and suburban areas.
- The annual production of cultured pangas was 1.55 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 and it rose by two and a half times to 3.95 lakh tonnes in the 2021-22 fiscal year, according to the Department of Fisheries.
- Similarly, the output of tilapia surged 3.36 times to 3.29 lakh tonnes from 97,909 tonnes and climbing fish production jumped 350 percent to 57,244 tonnes during the period.
- Thus, overall fish production using cultured processes has almost doubled in Bangladesh, increasing from 11.99 lakh tonnes to 21.66 lakh tonnes between FY11 and FY22.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) introduced pangas in the country in the 1990s after bringing their fries from abroad. Gradually, the fish became popular among the middle- and lower-income groups across the country as well as the urban poor. The survival rate of pangas fries is almost 100 percent, which has attracted farmers in various regions of the country, including The survival rate of pangas fries is almost 100 percent, which has attracted farmers in various regions of the country, including Mymensingh, Comilla , Bogura, Joypurhat, Narsingdi and Jashore.
Among all the agricultural sectors, fish farming has created the most jobs. In every step of fish farming and marketing, a huge manpower is involved. The cultivation of the three fish varieties has expanded in the local areas as it is easy to produce and growers can farm them in ponds while end-consumer can buy them cheaply.
The farming of pangas, tilapia and koi fish has contributed immensely to raising the total output of the key protein source in the last decade.
- Fish production totalled 47.59 lakh tonnes in FY22, up more than 55 per cent from 30.62 lakh tonnes in FY11. This gave cultured fish a share of about 45 per cent in the overall output. Led by the farming of pangas, tilapia and climbing fish, output is growing at more than 8 percent annually.
Farmers want hassle-free cultivation and a desired profit, so they usually go for these three fish varieties among other fishes. Pangas, tilapia and climbing fish are also called the “meat for the poor” owing to their availability at comparatively lower prices.
The state-run institute introduced “white pangas” seven years ago and it is attracting the attention of farmers. White pangas has higher demand in other countries.
Vietnam is the export leader in pangas but Bangladesh can easily make a foray into the market while expanding cultivation and creating employment opportunities.
Bangladesh, a country known for its vibrant culinary culture, has experienced a significant transformation in its food scene due to the introduction of these fish species. Tilapia, pangas and koi has significantly transformed Bangladesh’s food culture, offering new culinary possibilities and redefining traditional dishes. These three fish varieties have captured the taste buds of Bangladeshis, inspiring creativity and experimentation in the kitchen. Whether it is the mild and versatile tilapia, the affordable and adaptable pangas or the culturally significant koi; each variety has played a crucial role in shaping and diversifying the nation’s cuisine. Through their unique flavors and culinary applications these fish varieties have undeniably left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s food culture’s landscape. If this trend in fish production continues, bangladesh can earn huge amount of foreign currency by exporting them. These fishes also offer new possibility of competing for a place in international fish market with other leading fish exporting countries. Like: #1: China · #2: Norway · #3: Vietnam · #4: United States of America · #5: India · #6: Chile
