The government is set to launch a special project involving Tk 200.39 crore for establishing a dried fish processing industry to improve quality and production of dried fish.
The project is aims at optimum use of fish by making value-added products through innovative management to bring additional income for fisher folk.
Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) has sent the project proposal titled ‘Establishment of Dry Processing Industry in Cox's Bazar District’ to the Planning Commission, a senior official of planning commission said.
The matter will be discussed at the meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), he added.
After considering all matters, the project proposal will be placed to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting, he mentioned.
If approved, the project will be implemented by the BFDC authority by December 2023, he added.
Shamsuzzaman, planning manager of the BFDC, said, the government will improve the production, conservation and marketing management of dried fish by reducing fish wastage.
“30 officials will go abroad under the project to learn how to increase the production and processing of dried fish. Everyone is a processing officer,” he mentioned.
“Machines will be purchased from abroad under the project. There is also a need to learn to operate these machines. If training is brought from abroad, the quality of dry goods will increase,” he added.
Under the project, landing shed of 2,500 square meters, four-storied lab of 1,060 square meters, office, training center and dormitory will be constructed.
Cold storage (with four chambers) with capacity of 100 metric tons, packaging factory and 36 dry goods outlets will be constructed.
Besides, 10 toilets, liquid waste treatment plant or ETP, in-charge of water treatment plant (WTP) will be constructed.
Under the project, it is proposed to buy a jeep, a double cabin pickup, a microbus and four motorcycles.
According to BFDC sources, dried fish are being produced in the palaces of Cox's Bazar throughout the year.
Although dried fish is a very common method of fish preservation, in many cases different types of agricultural pesticides are being used in the production and preservation of commercial dried fish.
Moreover, it is not possible to make the desired quality dry fish due to poor cleaning of the fish, lack of environment, weather and quality protection.
Bangladesh has exported different types of dried fish across the World including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
It is estimated that 10 percent to 35 percent of dried fish is lost due to rot and insect infestation in the sea area.
Indigenously made greenhouse mechanical dryers are very useful for improving the quality of dry goods.