Adviser Urges Development Partners to Support Coastal Uplift

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter was speaking as the chief guest at a day-long workshop titled “Mid-term Progress Review Workshop on Fisheries Livelihood Enhancement Project in the Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal (FiLEP)” held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka on Monday,

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has called upon development partners and donor agencies to join hands with the government to improve the living standards of people in Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Speaking as the chief guest at a day-long workshop titled “Mid-term Progress Review Workshop on Fisheries Livelihood Enhancement Project in the Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal (FiLEP)” held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka on Monday, she highlighted the challenges faced by coastal communities, including traditional fishing communities and displaced Rohingyas.

She stated that the presence of the Rohingya population has added pressure on the local communities, making it crucial to ensure coordinated efforts for sustainable development. She emphasised that initiatives like dry fish (shutki) processing and tilapia farming could significantly contribute to improving livelihoods in the region, where both the Bangladesh government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) can play a vital role.

“Alongside rice production, fish and livestock are essential for meeting the nation's nutritional needs. Supporting and encouraging local fishers can greatly enhance the quality of life in coastal areas,” she added.

Considering the project’s early success and potential, the adviser urged JICA to consider expanding its coverage to all coastal districts in Bangladesh. “By scaling up this initiative, we can increase its impact, enhance resilience in climate-vulnerable areas, and contribute meaningfully to building a sustainable blue economy,” she said.

Underscoring the importance of inclusive development, Farida Akhter urged all stakeholders to ensure no small fisher is left behind, and that coastal communities gain dignity and sustainable progress.

The workshop was chaired by Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf. Other speakers included Fisheries Development Corporation Chairperson Suraiya Akhtar Jahan, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Anuradha Bhadra, Senior Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Ms. Miura Mari, and FiLEP Chief Adviser Sugiyama Shunji.

Project Director Md Asaduzzaman presented the keynote paper. Officials from different levels of the Department of Fisheries were also present.