Dutch and Bangladeshi companies signed a four-year cooperative agreement Wednesday, 31 August that will result in a EUR 6 million (USD 6 million) investment into Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector.
The partnership is headed by business development advisory firm Larive International and involves Bangladhesh-based aquaculture firm Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Bangladesh-headquartered seafood processor and exporter Gemini Sea Food, Dutch animal nutrition firm Nutreco, aquaculture design and engineering firm Viqon, and Bangladesh-based management consulting firm LightCastle Partners.
Together, the partners will establish aquaculture research centers in Sylhet, Khulna, and Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, to propagate best practices and improved techniques for fish breeding and cultivation, according to a press release from the Dutch embassy in Bangladesh.
“Moreover, the partners will conduct research and trials with on-farm products, such as feed additives, aqua specialties, and antibiotic replacers, and will provide technical assistance to fish breeders and farmers,” it said. “In addition, the partnership will upgrade an aquafeed line in Dhaka to increase the availability of domestically produced specialized fish feed.”
The partnership will operate through FoodTechBangaldesh, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the technical and commercial performance of fish breeders and farmers in Bangladesh. FoodTechBangladesh is co-financed by Larive and the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh.
“The Dutch embassy in Bangladesh supports the development of more sustainable agri-food value chains in Bangladesh and encourages Dutch companies to locally invest together with local stakeholders,” Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh H.E. Anne van Leeuwen said. “We are glad that via this cooperation we are able to contribute to increased food security, more sustainable water usage, and strengthening the cooperation between the Dutch and Bangladeshi private sector.”
The partnership estimates around 1,600 local fish breeders and farmers will receive training through the new centers for excellence to be opened in Bangladesh, as well as through online educational courses. The partnership also hopes to reduce post-harvest losses by connecting fish breeders and farmers directly to end markets, according to Larive International Director Matthias Brienen.
“Strengthening the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh requires an increase in domestic productivity in an environmentally and socially responsible way. This can be realized via introducing technologies developed in the Netherlands, such as genetics, feed, and controlled breeding and farming systems which have been proven in other emerging markets – in combination with technical advice,” Brienen said.
Photo courtesy of FoodTechBangladesh
