Fishermen to come under Farmer Card scheme soon: Tuku

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Saturday that marginalised people involved in fish farming for a living will soon be brought under the Farmer Card scheme.
He said initiatives are also underway to provide soft loans and financial incentives to such wage earners to strengthen the rural economy.
The state minister shared the information while attending a fingerling release programme organised by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) at Bangladesh National Zoo in the capital’s Mirpur area.
Speaking to reporters after releasing fingerlings into the zoo lake, Tuku said the Prime Minister launched the nationwide fingerling release campaign in August this year to conserve indigenous species and increase overall fish production.
He said the campaign is being implemented with the involvement of local lawmakers, public representatives and fisheries officials.
“The government’s primary goal is to increase fish production while protecting indigenous species from extinction,” Tuku said.
Referring to the steady growth in freshwater fish production, he said Bangladesh has not faced any significant shortage of fish despite population growth. He said the government was working to increase production in line with growing demand, alongside the rising number of fish farmers.
On fish-feed quality and antibiotic use, the state minister said awareness campaigns and regular training programmes are being conducted to promote safe fish production and discourage the unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Field-level fisheries officials are also helping farmers adopt modern and scientific techniques to reduce production costs and waste, he said.
“The government is keeping a close watch to ensure the standard quality of fish feed. Regular mobile court drives are being conducted to curb the manufacture and marketing of low-quality feed, protecting farmers and ensuring safe fish for consumers,” Tuku said.
A total of 250kg of fingerlings were released into the National Zoo lake under the programme. The fingerlings comprised 100kg of Rui, 75kg of Katla and 75kg of Kalibaus.
Around 2,575 fingerlings measuring 10-15cm were released, including 1,100 Rui, 600 Katla and 875 Kalibaus, with the aim of preserving biodiversity and increasing indigenous fish production.
Reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed, Department of Livestock Services Director General Md Shahjaman Khan, DoF Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Bangladesh National Zoo Director Dr Md Shahinur Alam, DoF Dhaka Division Director Md Ahsan Hasib Khan and other officials attended the event.