Farmers, fishermen, fish farmers and unemployed educated youths in Chuadanga started to cultivate fish by using modern fish farming technologies under the guidance of WAVE Foundation, which not only changed their lot, but increased the production of fish in the district as well.
Fish farming using modern method have already started in Chuadanga sadar, Damurhuda and Alamdanga upazilas in the distric. It has become a source of income for this people, making them self-dependent, and also helping to meet the demand of animal protein in these areas.
The programme is being financed by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). WAVE Foundation have long been involved to increase the fish production in the district and meet the demand of fish, with the cooperation of Chuadanga District Fisheries Department.
Fish production is being increased by training the fishermen and fish farmers in using modern fish farming method in Begumpur union under Sadar Upazila, Damurhuda union, Karpashdanga union, Perkrishnopurmadna union under Damurhuda upazila and Ailhash union under Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga district.
It was learnt that, over 100 youths of the areas have emerged as fish farming entrepreneurs, using new fish farming technologies such as RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) and Bio-flock fish culture method by the motivation of the foundation.
Fisheries Officer of Chuadanga WAVE Foundation Sayed-ur-Rahman said, a total of 81 exhibition plots were set up in 2023-24 fiscal year that were financed by PKSF. Activities are ongoing to increase fish farming there.
On the other hand the foundation have been producing different varieties of fishes at 69 clusters in the district that includes, 10 clusters for G-3 variety of Rohu Carp (Rui), 5 clusters for Chinese Carp , 10 clusters for mix farming of local variety of Pabda and Carp fish in semi-intensive aquaculture method, 5 clusters for Carp fattening fish farming in semi-intensive aquaculture method, 10 clusters for Silver Catfish (Pangasius) and Tilapia fish, 5 clusters for farming fish in abandoned ponds, 2 clusters for fish farming with natural feeds, 10 clusters for hatchery of fish, 5 clusters for small farming varieties of fishes farming, 5 clusters for high protein mola (carplet) fishes in brood banks and 2 clusters for fish cultivation in tank under intensive method.
The fisheries officer of Wave Foundation also said, the foundation has provided work to the fishermen and fish farmers, especially unemployed educated youth at the clusters.
It may be mentioned here, Fish Hatcheries with full-fledged scientific structure was built on July 9 in 2021, with all arrangement for breeding and nurturing local variety of fish fries.
The sources added, the foundation has been conserving and promoting the varieties at the farmer level in the areas as source of nutrition and income.
Sheikh Sadi, resident of Boyra village under Karpashdanga union in Damurhuda upazila, said he is faming fishes on 70 bighas of pond with the assistance of WAVE Foundation. He also sells the fishes produced in his pond to WAVE Foundation.
He also said that he needs to maintain proper water supply using shallow machine in summer season. As a reason, the prices of fishes that he produced have increased.
Shahidul Islam of Boyra village in Damurhuda upazila said WAVE Foundation has helped him by buying his fish in fair price.
Anowara Khatun, resident of of Juranpur of the same upazila, said WAVE Foundation has helped her to farm fishes in tanks by giving her training so that she can meet the demand of protein for her family. Her family did not have to buy fish in the last two years, she said.
District Fisheries Officer of Chuadanga, Depok Kumar Paul said, WAVE Foundation is helping the fish farmers and fishermen in the areas to produce fish using modern technologies so that they create an income source and meet the demand of animal protein in the area.
