A fish farm that rakes in Tk18cr a year
The farm has created employment for around 400 people
A fish farm on three hundred acres of land on the outskirts of the capital has been bringing in Tk18cr in annual profit for the owner, while the city people are getting fresh fish of different varieties.
The fish farming enclosure (gher) at Mirpur Section 12 has also created employment for around 400 people, including 20 fishermen, according to the information from the farm owner.
Lawmaker from Dhaka-16 constituency Elias Uddin Molla established the farm around 30 years ago on his ancestral land. He has also taken some land on lease for the farm.
Although the profit was insignificant at the beginning, it has multiplied over years.
Fish worth Tk5-7 lakh are sold every day, said Gopal Chandra, the chief of the fishermen who catch fish from the enclosure regularly.
He said, "Four small boats are used for catching the fish. We catch fish early in the morning and send them to the Mirpur fish market from where they are distributed to different kitchen markets of the city."
"The fish are fresh and free from any kind of preservatives," he said, adding that fish produced at the farm have a good demand in markets.
Fishermen said rui, katla and different types of carp fish are produced at the farm alongside local indigenous fish. Every day, Tk7,000 is spent to feed the fish.
Every year in April and May, around 10 million fish fries are released into the gher, they added.
The owner of the farm, Elias Molla, said, "I have worked hard to achieve success since the beginning in 1992; and since 1996, fish farming has been my main source of income."
"It is my pleasure that I am providing fresh fish to city dwellers," he said, adding that if he got the chance he would establish more fish farms for supplying fresh fish.
Using technological advantage, Molla maintains everything of his business that brings him an annual income of Tk18 crore. He spends Tk5 crore annually on the maintenance of the farm, inclusive of the salaries of all his employees..
"The fish of the farm have a good demand in the markets because of their quality. People always want to buy fresh fish," said Shohag, a fish seller of Alovdi kitchen market at Mirpur Section 12.
"The fish are very tasty, and I always buy them from Shohag," said Mamun Khan, a regular customer of Shohag.
"I urge all unemployed youths to invest their time and merit in fish farming. It brings profit very quickly," said the fish farm owner Elias Molla.
