The BFRI (Bangladesh Fish Research Institute) as a public sector organization is mandated to conduct research and feedback to DoF with appropriate technological support. Public university and other members of NARS institutes also contribute in technology generation within the national mandates. The vision of BFRI is to become a Center of Excellence for fisheries research to generate technologies and management guidelines for all sub sectors. However, out of the research organization in terms of technology generation need to be matched with the NFP and government support.
Fish production has been estimated 53.64 million metric ton in 2030 in Bangladesh. It has been estimated based on the annual growth rate. Though the target is ambitious, but, is not impossible to achieve. Well considered strategies, improving management practices, effective targeted investment with right mix of policy and political commitment the potentials for the fisheries sector over the coming decades can be of very positive. Technology generation is a prime requisite and important for production support. Government support for the availability of inputs, credit, market facilities, infrastructures development are the instrumentals for the research and development. It is to be noted that research and development accomplished a great deal so far. With all the constraints, fish production had shown increase in recent past. However, the future is challenging and there is no scope for complacency both in research and in development.
Based on the production target in 2030 as a milestone fixing of research agenda with priority is essential. It is important to outline the program areas and activities, which will support to achieve the production targets projected. A meaningful vision should have emphasis on the following issues:
- Assessing the technological needs and reassessment of developed and existing technologies for variable agro ecological condition and social settings.
- Assessment of manpower, research facilities, institutional collaboration, fund requirement.
- Explore recent advances to frontier research in order to generate new technologies that will enable for fish production in adverse condition efficiently.
- Explore advance management practices of fisheries science to improve efficiency of resource use.
Many of the research conduct under collaboration of research and extension organizations and also with the international development partners. Through such collaboration, BFRI and NARS have developed linkages with WFC, DANIDA, DFID, IFAD, NORAD, IRRI, IWMI, IDRC, NACA, and other international research centers.
Collaborative and participatory research is important in introducing knowledge based fundamental research and technology generation. In collaborative and participatory research emphasis should given on development of improved genetic varieties of major pond fishes, resistance tolerance varieties to heat and cool sock, breeding and controlled propagation and culture-management of highly migratory riverine engendered species, mariculture of commercially important marine fin fishes and non conventional marine species. Such research, both short and long term is effective to modernization of the institute, as well, upgrading the skills of the scientists. The sub sector based visionary issues are outlined in the section below:
Vision for Aquaculture Research:
Develop sustainable, socially acceptable, economically viable and environment friendly technology to support the continued development of aquaculture as the key supplier of animal protein and opportunity for resource development.
Vision for Inland Capture Fisheries Research:
Generate most effective management tools, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fishing technology combating environmental effect and comprehensive data and information necessary for guideline formulation.
Vision for Coastal Fisheries Research:
Develop sustainable coastal aquaculture technologies, guidelines for estuaries fishing methods and biodiversity conservation for coastal ecosystems.
Vision for Marine Fisheries Research:
Develop appropriate guidelines for sustainable marine fish harvest and technology for entrepreneurs for mariculture of commercial important species for sustainable fisheries management.
read other related stories:
Sub-Sector Fisheries in Bangladesh Agriculture
Policy relevance Fisheries Development in Bangladesh
Zinc-Enriched Rice variety – BRRI Dhan 62
Crop Suitability and Zoning – Soil of Bangladesh
A small Statistics about Rice in Bangladesh
All about Rice in one Place – BRKB
BARC – Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council
Fisheries in BD – Technological Advancement
Technology in Fisheries – Bangladesh
Agro and Farming 