The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

Farming of quality fingerlings and various varieties of fishes in rice fields can bring economic self-reliance and improve the livelihood of common people.

Internationally reputed experts and scientists at a workshop Monday said poor and low-income group people, small and marginal farmers, women and socially excluded group could also increase their annual household incomes and household fish consumptions by culturing fish in their rice fields in South Asia.

The experts and scientists said this while addressing an inception workshop on "Enhancing impacts of decentralised (fish) seed production (EIDSP)" project organised by Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS).

Funded by Department of International Development (DFID), the UK-based Natural Resources International Ltd has been managing the Taka 5 crore three year-term project being implemented by 12 coalition partners in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University Prof Dr Md Saifuddin Shah attended the workshop as the chief guest while Regional Director for Bangladesh and South Asia of World Fish Centre Alan C Brooks chaired it at Begum Rokeya Auditorium of the RDRS at the town.

Additional director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of Rangpur Agriculture Zone Md Abdur Rouf was present as the special guest.

Director (Resources & Environment) of the RDRS and Team Leader of the EIDSP Dr Syed Samsuzzaman presented a welcome speech narrating various aspects, ways and possible impacts of the project in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh, West Bengal and Nepal.

Noted scientist and Professor of the University of Stirling in the UK Dr David Little presented the main keynote paper titled "Enhancing the impacts of decentralized (fish) seed production" at the workshop.

Project Coordinator of the EIDSP project Sattyanarayan Roy presented another keynote paper while Head of Organisation Development of Practical Action Dr Faruk-Ul-Islam delivered the concluding speech after the technical session.

Scientists Dr Madhav Shrestha from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science of Nepal, Dr Mahfuzul Haque from Bangladesh University of Agriculture and Kuddus Ansary from Onestop Aqua Shop in India also addressed it.