Fresh fish from Rajshahi will be exported abroad by cargo flights, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu has said.
He said the Rajshahi airport would be expanded further to facilitate fish exports. “Rajshahi will continue to move forward with time,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and award-giving ceremony organised at the Rajshahi District Shilpakala Academy on Sunday afternoon as part of National Fisheries Fortnight 2026. The programme was organised by the district administration and the Department of Fisheries, Rajshahi.
Earlier, Minu released fish fry into the Collectorate pond in Rajshahi. A colourful rally was later held, parading through several roads in the city.
The land minister said Bangladesh would make further progress through the fisheries sector. The country has already achieved a significant position globally in various areas of fish production, and it would become one of the world's leading countries in several sectors in the coming days, he said.
Highlighting the importance of freshwater, Minu said freshwater would become one of the most valuable resources in the future. Many countries around the world are already facing disputes over river water, he said, adding that Bangladesh must make proper use of its abundant freshwater resources.
Speaking about the potential of Rajshahi's fisheries sector, he said canals and wetlands around the region would be made suitable for fish farming. Farmers would be able to earn foreign currency by producing fish for export, he said, urging fish farmers in Rajshahi to adopt indigenous and sustainable methods of fish farming.
The programme was chaired by Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam. Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Foyezul Kabir, Additional DIG of Rajshahi Range Khandaker Shamim Hossain and Divisional Fisheries Officer Saifuddin Yahia, among others, attended the event. District Fisheries Officer Jahangir Alam delivered the welcome address. Among those present were Rajshahi Pressclub Secretory Golam.Mostofa Mamun.
Meanwhile, National Fisheries Fortnight 2026 was also inaugurated in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi through a colourful rally, discussion, fish fry release and award ceremony.
The rally began from the upazila parishad premises at around 11:00am on Sunday and passed through several roads before ending at the upazila parishad hall.
Later, a discussion and award-giving ceremony was held at the hall under the theme, “A self-reliant nation through silver fish, Bangladesh first.”
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zobaida Sultana chaired the programme, while former president of Mohanpur upazila BNP and former upazila parishad chairman Professor Abdus Samad attended as the chief guest. Upazila Instructor Md Kaysar Habib moderated the programme and Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Aminul Islam delivered the welcome address.
Among those present were Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam; Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Khondaker Sagor Ahmed; Social Services Officer Imam Hasan Shamim; Public Health Engineering Officer Md Rakibul Islam; Mohanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman; Upazila Krishak Dal President Golam Mostofa Bablu; Labour Dal Member Secretary and former union parishad member Abdul Karim Mondal; Upazila Swechhasebak Dal President Jahangir Alam; Ghasigram Union BNP President Abdul Malek Mondal; former student leader and Assistant Professor of Mohanpur Government College Mofizur Rahman Madhu; Upazila Chhatra Dal President Abdur Razzaq; Member Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Rubel; Accounts Superintendent SM Khalequzzaman; Fisheries Office Field Assistant Md Ferdous Wahid; and Office Assistant Md Russell Reza.
Speakers said the fisheries sector plays an important role in ensuring food and nutritional security, creating employment, developing the rural economy and earning foreign currency. They said modern technology-based fish farming, safe fish production, entrepreneurship and exports could further strengthen the sector's contribution to the national economy.
They also identified water pollution, shrinking natural water bodies, excessive and illegal fishing, diseases and the impacts of climate change as major challenges facing the fisheries sector. They stressed the need to conserve native fish species, establish fish sanctuaries, ensure safe and quality fish production and promote environment-friendly technologies.
According to information presented at the programme, fish accounts for around 60 percent of the country's animal protein intake. The fisheries sector contributes 2.53 percent to the national GDP and 22.26 percent to agricultural GDP. Around 12 percent of the country's population is directly or indirectly involved in fisheries-related activities.
Citing the Food and Agriculture Organization's The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 report, speakers said Bangladesh ranks second globally in inland capture fisheries and fifth in fish farming in enclosed water bodies. Bangladesh ranks first in hilsa production, fourth in tilapia production globally and third in Asia.
At the end of the programme, fish fry were released into an open water body. Several individuals were also honoured for their contributions to the fisheries sector. Upazila Swechhasebak Dal President Jahangir Alam was honoured for his contribution to fish fry production, while Aurangzeb Sabuj of Shibpur village and Md Raihan Hossain of Kharta village were recognised for producing native fish species.
Government officials, fish farmers, fishermen, fish traders, local representatives, stakeholders and journalists attended the programme.
