In Bangladesh, there are places where people rely on the production of dried fish for their livelihood. The biggest dried fish yards in the country are located in Nazirtek of Sadar upazila, Kutubjom and Sonadia at Maheshkhali upazila, Teknaf, Shamlapur, Sundaripara in Pekua upazila, St. Martin’s Island and Baro Ghop in Kutubdia upazila.
However, the use of hazardous pesticides in preserving seawater fishes is rampant. Chemicals are used to kill insects inside the stomach of a dead fish. Thus, consumers are getting chemical-coated dried fish which violates food safety laws. The byproducts of dried fish are also processed for poultry feeds. Among the pesticides widely used to treat fishes is Celcron 50 ec. A 500ml bottle of Celcron 50 ec contains 500 grams of active profenofos which is highly toxic and may cause various diseases including cancer.
In an effort to stop this unhealthy way of producing dried fish, MTCP2 Bangladesh conducted training programs on different eco-friendly methods of dried fish production such as using nets, using turmeric water, fish dryer, etc. for groups of dried fish producers. So far, MTCP2 developed 4 groups that are now producing dried fish without the use of pesticides.
Aside from the trainings, MTCP2 is also establishing a strong value chain to motivate other dried fish producers to adapt this effort by ensuring them that income in pesticide-free production is guaranteed. MTCP2 facilitated a linkage with a local market leader and a shop owners’ association so that dried fish producers can have an access to the market. MTCP2 is also arranging campaigns to spread awareness on the production of pesticide-free dried fish. These efforts resulted to a huge demand for organic or pesticide-free dry fish.
Producing organic dried fish needs initial investment. Training, motivation, and material support can be an effective strategy to get positive results. Ensuring sustainability and regular follow ups are also essential. Towards the sustainability of these efforts, MTCP2 Bangladesh has taken the following steps:
- Created linkages with a development project also funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development. From that project, beneficiaries receive technical and financial support along with continuous follow-up and supervision from experts.
- Women family members of the food producer groups have been brought under the Micro Finance support of COAST Trust. This ensures continuous financial flow for their business.
- To keep the members always within the track and under regular development education, they are now active part of the Bangladesh Fish Workers Alliance.
Health hazards on the producers as well as the consumers have been greatly reduced because of the pesticide-free dried fish. Other producers are now motivated to process dried fish without using harmful chemicals. Even producers from other parts of the country are also starting to shift to pesticide-free dried fish production. ###
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