Dutch-Bangladeshi Partnership Launches FoodTechBangladesh

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh formally launched FoodTech Bangladesh today, a four-year-long PPP-based development programme. The programme will jointly be co-implemented by Larive International and LightCastle Partners and includes private sector players: Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Gemini Sea Food, Nutreco, and Viqon. The programme envisions investing EUR 6 million in implementing sustainable and scalable interventions across the Bangladeshi aquaculture sector.

The programme will facilitate the establishment of 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.

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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 aqua feed 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.

H.E. Anne van Leeuwen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh: “The Dutch Embassy in Bangladesh supports the development of more sustainable agri-food value chains in Bangladesh and encourages Dutch companies to locally invest together with local stakeholders. We are glad that via this cooperation we are able to contribute to increased food security, more sustainable water usage, and strengthening the cooperation between the Dutch and Bangladeshi private sector”.

Matthias Brienen, Director of Larive International: “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”.