The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the sustainable transformation of Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector through continued investment in innovative technologies, environmentally responsible farming practices, and commercially viable production systems.
The commitment was reiterated by Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, during the inauguration of the Aquaculture Center of Excellence (CoE) in Tarakanda, Mymensingh. The new facility has been established under the FoodTechBangladesh programme, a flagship initiative aimed at modernizing Bangladesh’s aquaculture industry.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries (DoF), who joined as the chief guest. Senior representatives from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), the Department of Fisheries, Fishtech (BD) Limited, development partners, research organizations, government agencies, and private-sector stakeholders also participated.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador van Bommel highlighted the strategic importance of the new Centre of Excellence in accelerating technology adoption among fish farmers, attracting private investment, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.
“The Centre of Excellence will empower farmers with modern aquaculture technologies, enhance investor confidence, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the country’s fisheries industry,” he said.
Chief Guest Dr Md Khaled Kanak emphasised that Bangladesh can significantly increase aquaculture productivity despite limited land resources by adopting advanced farming technologies and fostering stronger collaboration between the government and private sector.
Speakers at the event noted that the Centre of Excellence will function as a platform for practical training, applied research, technology demonstration, and knowledge exchange. It is expected to accelerate the adoption of modern aquaculture practices while improving market access and creating new business opportunities across the fisheries value chain.
Launched in 2022, FoodTechBangladesh is a five-year public-private partnership (PPP) programme co-funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. The programme is jointly implemented by Larive International and LightCastle Partners, working closely with Bangladeshi and Dutch private-sector partners to strengthen the country’s aquaculture value chain through technology transfer, digital farm management, farmer capacity building, and improved market linkages.
Since its inception, the programme has successfully conducted more than 60 commercial technology trials, delivered online training to over 800 farmers, and provided hands-on training to nearly 600 farmers, contributing to the wider adoption of climate-smart and technology-driven aquaculture practices.
During the inauguration, project officials demonstrated several advanced aquaculture technologies, including In-Pond Raceway Systems (IPRS) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). These systems are designed to increase fish production while improving water quality, feed efficiency, biosecurity, and overall operational profitability.
With the opening of the Mymensingh facility, FoodTechBangladesh now operates four Centers of Excellence across Khulna, Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar, and Patuakhali, creating a nationwide network for innovation, demonstration, and farmer support.
Bangladesh currently ranks as the world’s fifth-largest producer of inland aquaculture. According to official statistics, the country produced approximately 5.02 million metric tonnes of fish during the 2023–24 fiscal year, with inland aquaculture contributing 59.34% of total fish production.
Despite this remarkable production capacity, fish and fishery products account for only around 1% of Bangladesh’s total export earnings, highlighting the significant untapped potential for value addition, improved processing, quality assurance, and expansion into international seafood markets.
The establishment of the new Centre of Excellence reflects the growing partnership between Bangladesh and the Netherlands in advancing sustainable aquaculture and supports Bangladesh’s broader vision of building a resilient, technology-driven, and globally competitive blue economy.
Md. Shofiullah
Student, Department of Oceanography
Noakhali Science and Technology University
