The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh formally launched FoodTechBangladesh, a four-year cooperation between Dutch and Bangladeshi companies. The partnership is headed by Larive International B.V., and the partners have jointly invested EUR 6 million in developing sustainable growth of the Bangladeshi aquaculture sector.

The partnership consists of Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Gemini Sea Food, Nutreco, Viqon, LightCastle Partners, and Larive International. These parties will establish three Centres of Excellence in Sylhet, Khulna, and Cox’s Bazar to introduce and demonstrate different types of improved and more sustainable techniques for fish breeding and cultivation. Moreover, the partners will conduct research and trials with on-farm products, such as feed additives, aqua specialties, and antibiotic replacers and will provide technical assistance to fish breeders and farmers. In addition, the partnership will upgrade an aquafeed line in Dhaka to increase the availability of domestically produced specialized fish feed.

FoodTechBangladesh is co-financed by the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh and contributes to improving the technical and commercial performance of fish breeders and farmers in Bangladesh. This is done through demonstrating best practices and transferring know-how. Over 1,600 local fish breeders and farmers will receive training at the Centres of Excellence and via online courses. In addition, the partnership aims to reduce post-harvest losses by connecting fish breeders and farmers directly to end markets.

Matthias Brienen, director of Larive International, said that “strengthening the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh requires an increase in domestic productivity in an environmentally and socially responsible way. This can be realized via introducing technologies developed in the Netherlands, such as genetics, feed, and controlled breeding and farming systems which have been proven in other emerging markets, in combination with technical advice.”