Govt hatchery raises hope among shrimp farmers

A shrimp farmer receiving fries from Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Prasanta Bhusan Barua at the hatchery. PHOTO: STAR

A large number of fish farmers from far away areas like Bhola and Barguna gathered at the district headquarter for shrimp fries when the distribution began on June 13. Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Prasanta Bhusan Barua inaugurated the distribution while Project Director Wahidunnabi Chowdhury, Project Advisor Aril HJ Quize and other officials were present.

Distribution of shrimp fries from the hatchery began this year for the first time.

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In the first phase, about 10 lakh shrimp fries have been produced. More 30 lakh fries will be produced this year in the second and third phase, project officials said.

The lone hatchery for Patuakhali, Bhola and Barguna districts has been set up under the Patuakhali Barguna Aquaculture Extention Project (PBAEP). This is the largest hatchery in the country.

About 40 lakh fries will be produced and distributed among shrimp farmers in the area every year, they said.

About 2500 shrimp enclosures have been set up in the three districts and more 6000 are in the offing, depending on fries to be produced in the hatchery, they said.

At least 150 tonnes of shrimp worth about Tk eight crore will be produced in the enclosures, they said.

Talking to this correspondent, Ramjan Ali, who came from Bhola for fries said he has set up a farm at his village. He will prefer fries from this farm becaiuse he thinks those will be better in quality, said. Many others in his village will be interested in shrimp cultivation if he becomes successful, he said.