'Bangladesh now self-sufficient in fish, meat production'

Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in fish and meat production.

Fisheries and livestock minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said this at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Sunday.

"After 46 years of our independence, the country is now self-sufficient in fish and meat production," said the minister.

The minister said that the fish sector is contributing 3.61 per cent in country's total gross domestic production (GDP) and 24.41 per cent in country's agricultural GDP.

According to a report from the fisheries ministry, country's fish production (4.1 million metric tonnes) has well surpassed the target (4 million MT) in 2016-17. A total of 84,000 MT fish production was increased in the year.

According to Preliminary Report on Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 of Bangladesh Statistic Bureau, on average per capita fish consumption is 62.58 gram daily, which is surplus than the daily requirement.

"According to per capita individual's demand, Bangladesh has become self-sufficient," said the minister.

In 2016, according to a report of United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangladesh ranked fourth in collecting fish from inland water bodies and the fifth largest producer in fish production, said Chanda.

Besides, in 2016-17 fiscal, the meat production was 71.54 lakh MT as against the target of 71.35 lakh MT. Now one is getting 121.74 gram meat daily, which is more than the requirement, added the minister.

While responding to a question about meat price, he said that the initiative will be taken by 15 March to lower the prices.