Production of small fishes increasing in Rangpur

Increasing production and consumption of small fishes are meeting nourishment of malnourished rural people, especially pregnant women and lactating mothers, across the district in recent years.

District Fisheries Officer Md Badruzzaman Manik said the cultivation of micro-nutrient enriched small fishes in smaller ponds, canals, wetlands and crop fields has already become a profitable venture for farmers to earn more alongside meeting nutrition.

"Following a continuous increase in production of small fishes, rural people are achieving self-reliance alongside increasing consumption to overcome malnutrition and enhance immunity even during the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

Fisheries Survey Officer at District Fisheries Office Md Rezaul Kabir said farmers produced 62,069 tonnes of fish last year against only 17,685 tonnes of fish 10 years ago in the district.

"Around 20 per cent of the total produced fishes in the district are local species of small and micronutrient-rich fishes like Mola, Darkina and Dhela," Rezaul said, adding that production of these fishes was increasing every year.

He also narrated an enormous prospect for further enhancing the cultivation of micro-nutrient-rich small fishes in the smaller ponds, canals, wetlands, floodplains, fish sanctuaries and crop fields in rural areas.

Associate Professor and Senior Consultant and Unit Head (Unit-IV) of the Department of Paediatrics of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital Dr SM Nurun Nabi said regular intake of micro-nutrient-rich fishes strengthens the immune systems of babies and children helping normal growth.

"The smaller Mola, Darkina, and Dhela fishes have ample minerals and vitamins like iron and folic acid that help healthier growth of the brain, nervous and immune systems and flourishing talent of babies and children," he said.

He suggested common people include small fish on their daily food menus as deficiency of these micro-nutrient elements, minerals and vitamins could hinder the normal growth of babies and children.

Former Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) D. Shahdat Hossain said optimal intake of small fishes like Mola, Darkina, and Dhela could prevent undernourishment of women, including pregnant women and lactating mothers, and children.

"As a result of continuous increase in consumption of small fishes, malnutrition of pregnant women and lactating mothers, as well as the rate of maternal, neonatal and infant deaths and permanent blindness, reduced significantly," he said.

He said optimum intake of small fish and vegetables could meet the nutritional demand of pregnant women also ensuring safe pregnancy for giving birth to healthier babies and increasing the milk of lactating mothers.

Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam said intake of small fish and vegetables could efficiently prevent nutritional deficiency in pregnant women, lactating mothers, babies, children and people of all ages.

"Normal growth of the brain, different organs and flourishing talent of babies and children may be hindered due to malnutrition of pregnant women and lactating mothers sometimes causing various diseases or leading to severe consequences," he added.

Optimal intake of micro-nutrient enriched small fishes on a regular basis could meet nourishment reducing maternal, neonatal and infant deaths as well as permanent blindness and other diseases.

"Consumption of small fishes and vegetables meets nourishment of pregnant women, lactating mothers, babies and children and helps to build a healthier nation on the way to achieve the sustainable development goals," he added.