9. Market Development in the Dinajpur Pond Fisheries Sector

Client

Swisscontact-Katalyst

Location

Greater Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Duration

31 Months (October 2007 – March 2010)
Initial Duration: 15 Months (October 2007 – December 2008)
Extended Duration: 16 Months (January 2009 – March 2010)

Status

Completed

Background

Fish market in greater Dinajpur (Northern Bangladesh) was characterized with more downsides than other strong markets in North Bengal as Bogra and Natore. The sub sector study found several constraints to work for. Besides, there were some opportunities to avail like strong local demand and export possibility (national market) enables introduction of various new fish species and promotion of fish culture in rice field in perennial and low land areas.

Intervention Areas

Understanding the constraints and opportunities of the sector, GMark implemented four interventions with a view to boosting up the fish market. The interventions were –

Dinajpur district had some unique features regarding the fish sub-sector dynamics. Small and marginal farmers had many small ponds which were not cultivated for fish production. GMark captured the opportunity by involving a local NGO and facilitating their beneficiaries to promote fish cultivation in the unused small pond by taking financial assistance from the NGO and input services from the private sector.