UNB, Jessore :
Farming of ‘Pangas’ (a type of freshwater catfish) fry has gained popularity in the district following the examples set by some pioneers.
Atier Rahman Tutul, a resident of Chachra in Jessore Shohortoli area is now self-reliant by farming Pangasius fry.
He tried his fortune some 15 years back with a venture to sell fish fry of different species going door to door in several villages of the locality.
As the business turned out to be profitable one, he took a large pond of seven bighas (one bigha = 0.677 hectares) on lease from Mehedi Hasan in Sarsha upazila of the district in 2000 and started farming fish fry.
Over the years, Tutul has expanded his business and brought 195 bighas of ponds under Pangas fry farming.
Last year, Tutul released Pangas fry worth Tk 5 crore in his ponds and sold those for Tk 5.20 crore to local people.
Talking to UNB, Tutul said he used to release fry of Ruhi, Katla, Mrigel (carp fish varieties) in the past, but seven years ago he tried farming Pangas fry which earned him a double profit as it was on high demand in the local market.
In later years, he managed to get orders from other districts. Now he is supplying Pangas fry to 30 other district, including Mymensingh, Barisal, Sathira, Kushita, Meherpur, Chuadanga and Bhola.
Tutul’s example has encouraged many others to get involved in the business.
Anwarul Karim Anu, a fish farmer, said the district has long been a source for fish supplies for the rest of the country.
Senior Fisheries officer, Anisur Rahman, said some 2.5 lakh tonnes of fish is in the district every year. Of these, Pangas fry constitute 45,712 tonnes.
