Jashore leads in fish production in Khulna division
“In the past three years, the district has produced 497,795 tonnes more fish than its demand,” said District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Alam
Jashore district has once again emerged as the top fish producer in the Khulna division, showcasing a consistent increase in fish output over the years.
According to the Department of Fisheries, Jashore district produced a remarkable 245,000 tonnes of fish in the fiscal year 2023-24, surpassing its previous record of 241,107 tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23. In comparison, Meherpur district lags behind with an annual output of 8,875 metric tons.
The division as a whole produced a total of 718,405 tonnes of fish infiscal year 2023-24, including 111,218 tonnes of shrimp. Other districts' production figures are as follows — Satkhira (131,871 tonnes), Bagerhat (121,373 tonnes), Khulna (110,095 tonnes), Jhenaidah (38,876 tonnes), Kushtia (32,202 tonnes), Chuadanga (16,954 tonnes), Narail (14,266 tonnes), and Magura (13,845 tonnes).
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Jashore's fish production has consistently increased over the years. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, production was 231,143 tonnes, up from 218,610 tonnes in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
The district cultivates 22 fish species, with Ruhi being the most produced at 160,765 tonnes last year. Other significant productions include Pangasius (11,636 tonnes), Tilapia (17,905 tonnes), Koi (2,778 tonnes), Catfish (5,934 tonnes), Gulsha-Pabda (17,713) tonnes, Tiger shrimp (9,560 tonnes), and Bagda shrimp (354 tonnes).
Afil Aqua Fish is a major fish producer in the district, operating eight units across 2,000 bighas of land. They produce 10 tonnes of fish and fish fry daily and provide jobs for 2,000 people.
Sheikh Afil Uddin, managing director of Afil Group, said, "The farm has focused on producing nearly extinct native fish species through intensive aquaculture. This effort has helped reduce local waterlogging and created jobs. Afil Aqua Fish plans to expand its production in the future."
Fish farmer SS Ahmed Faruk from Raghunathnagar village in Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore said, "I have been producing various fish species for 32 years."
He manages a fish farm on 52 bighas of land and produces fish worth crores annually. His farm exports 40 tonnes of Pabda fish each year and also cultivates Pabda, Tengra, Ruhi, and Bhetki fish.
Jashore District Fisheries Office Assistant Director Mahbubur Rahman said, "Approximately 60 lakh kg of fish are exported annually through Benapole, generating an export value of $15 million."
"In the past three years, the district has produced 497,795 tonnes more fish than its demand," added District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Alam.
