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On July 21, 2026, FoodTechBangladesh inaugurated its third Aquaculture Center of Excellence (CoE) in Mymensingh. The inauguration marks an important step toward expanding the practical use of advanced technologies for productive, commercially viable, and sustainable aquaculture in Bangladesh.
The centre has been designed as a learning, research, and demonstration platform for modern aquaculture production. It includes both in-tank and in-pond Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).
The inauguration brought together representatives from government organizations, private companies, research institutions, and academia. Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, attended as Chief Guest. H.E. Mr. Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, attended as Guest of Honour. Additionally, S.M. Rezaul Karim, Director, Administration, Department of Fisheries; Nripendra Nath Biswas, Director, Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh Division; and Md. Ataul Karim Bhuiyan, Managing Director of FishTech (BD) Limited, joined as Special Guests.
Director & Head of News at Channel i, Shykh Seraj, also attended the event and visited the centre. During the visit, he observed the technical demonstrations and engaged with the practical applications showcased for farmers and aquaculture entrepreneurs. His presence added further significance to the occasion. Moreover, it highlighted the centre’s potential to connect innovation with field-level adoption.
Following the welcome remarks by Md. Ataul Karim Bhuiyan, Mr. Rogier Becker, Senior Project Manager at Larive International, presented an overview of the FoodTechBangladesh programme. He explained how the CoEs support technology transfer, farmer training, applied research, and stronger market linkages.
Next, Mr. Võ Nguyên Khánh (Kaidan), Aqua Researcher at De Heus Asia, discussed the experience and future prospects of the technology partnership in Bangladesh. He also highlighted technical training, research trials, and continued support for advanced aquaculture systems.
The technical sessions continued with Mr. Imran Hossain, Senior Technical Officer (R&D) at FishTech (BD) Limited. He presented research findings and success stories from the in-tank and in-pond RAS facilities. Furthermore, he highlighted the potential of RAS to improve water management, fish health, production efficiency, and commercial performance.
Meanwhile, Md. Ariful Islam, Assistant Manager (R&D) at FishTech (BD) Limited, presented outcomes from In-Pond Raceway System trials. He demonstrated how the technology can support higher productivity, improved feed efficiency, better fish survival, and stronger financial returns than traditional production systems.
Addressing the event, Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak emphasized the importance of combining technology with institutional support. He said, “The Netherlands has demonstrated how Bangladesh can achieve high productivity from limited land. By combining government support with appropriate technology, we can create greater opportunities to advance the fisheries sector.”
Similarly, H.E. Mr. Joris van Bommel highlighted that the long-term value of the centre would depend on how effectively its knowledge and technologies reach farmers and entrepreneurs. He stated, “The true success of these centres will be measured by the farmers who adopt better practices, the entrepreneurs who invest with confidence, and the young people who develop new skills.”
In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, Mr. Khondokar Farhad Hossain acknowledged the collective contribution of the programme’s partners, technical teams, government representatives, and farming communities.
Following the formal programme, the distinguished guests toured the RAS facilities and observed the systems in operation. The FishTech (BD) team explained the design and operational processes of the facility. Finally, the inauguration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, fish feeding, and live demonstrations of the centre’s aquaculture technologies.
Through this Centre of Excellence, FoodTechBangladesh aims to bring farmers, researchers, businesses, and public institutions closer together. As a result, aquaculture technologies can move beyond demonstration and contribute to wider adoption, improved productivity, and sustainable sector growth.
About FoodTechBangladesh
FoodTechBangladesh is a five-year public-private partnership (PPP) co-funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. Co-implemented by Larive International and LightCastle Partners, the programme aims to enhance Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector through sustainable and scalable interventions. FTB focuses on improving technical performance, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening market linkages. Key initiatives include establishing Centres of Excellence across regions, training thousands of farmers, and promoting innovative aquaculture technologies.
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