The Netherlands has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the sustainable development of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector through continued investment and long-term collaboration aimed at promoting technology-driven, environmentally sustainable and commercially viable aquaculture.
The commitment was announced by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, Joris van Bommel, during the inauguration of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Tarakanda in Mymensingh. The centre has been established under the FoodTechBangladesh programme.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador van Bommel said the Netherlands remains keen to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh to modernise aquaculture through innovation and sustainable farming practices. He described FoodTechBangladesh as a strong example of the Dutch Diamond Approach, which brings together government, business, knowledge institutions and civil society to foster development.
“The establishment of this Centre of Excellence will enable farmers to gain practical knowledge of advanced aquaculture technologies and apply them in their farms over the long term,” he said. “This will also strengthen investor confidence in the sector, which is why the Netherlands has continued to support fisheries development in Bangladesh over the past several years.”
The ceremony’s chief guest, Dr Md Khaled Konok, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, said Bangladesh could significantly increase fish production even with limited land by adopting modern technologies. He noted that the Netherlands had set an important example in achieving high productivity through innovation and efficient resource use.
He called for stronger collaboration between government support programmes and appropriate technologies to further advance the country’s fisheries sector.
Other speakers included Dr Md Latiful Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Nripendra Nath Biswas, Director of the Department of Fisheries in Mymensingh Division; and Md Ataul Karim Bhuiyan, Managing Director of FishTech (BD) Limited. The event was chaired by Khandaker Farhad Hossain, Chairman of FishTech (BD) Limited.
More than 200 participants attended the inauguration, including representatives from government agencies, private companies, development partners, donor organisations, research and educational institutions, and fish farmers.
Organisers said the new Centre of Excellence will serve as a practical training and research facility, demonstrating modern aquaculture technologies while supporting market expansion and the overall development of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.
Since its launch, the FoodTechBangladesh programme has carried out more than 60 commercial pilot projects, provided online training to over 800 farmers and delivered in-person training to around 600 farmers.
Launched in 2022 as a five-year public-private partnership, FoodTechBangladesh is co-financed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. The programme is implemented by international consultancy Larive International and LightCastle Partners, in collaboration with private-sector partners from Bangladesh and the Netherlands, including Gemini Sea Food, FishTech, Viqon and De Heus. The partners work to improve aquaculture through technology adoption, farmer training, digital farm management and stronger market linkages.
Presentations at the event highlighted the use of In-Pond Raceway Systems (IPRS) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) at the new centre. These technologies are expected to increase fish productivity, improve water and feed management, and enhance the commercial efficiency of aquaculture operations.
The Tarakanda facility is the fourth Centre of Excellence established under the programme. Similar centres are already operating in Khulna, Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali.
Bangladesh is currently the world’s fifth-largest producer of inland aquaculture. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, the country produced approximately 5.02 million tonnes of fish, with inland aquaculture accounting for 59.34% of total production. However, fish and fishery products contribute only around 1% of Bangladesh’s national export earnings, highlighting both the sector’s considerable growth potential and the need to improve farm productivity and access to international markets.