PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF FISH PROCESSING PLANTS IN SYLHET REGION, BANGLADESH

The present study conducted to find out the prospects and problems of Fish Processing Plants in Sylhet region. The research period was from January -2015 to October -2015. The study was performed by questionnaire- based data collection and the findings of the individual interviews. The study focused on two EU approved Fish Processing Plants through which fish and fishery products (mainly white fishes) are being processed for export. The findings of this study reveals that there are lot of opportunities to establish Fish Processing Plants such as availability of raw materials, low cost land, transportation facilities, suitable environment and particularly buyer's demand of the fish species of this region. About 110 indigenous fish species were found in this region which almost half of the total number of fish species in Bangladesh. A large number of people of Sylhet region live in abroad. So, the main markets of processed fish are UK, USA and Middle East. Beside this potentiality and opportunity to enhance the export through these Fish Processing Plants the study also reveals that fish processors are facing lot of problems such as seasonality of fish species, lack of skilled personnel, high operational cost, weak infrastructure and storage facilities, international market competition, government policy, standardization, proper advertisement, low salary of workers, incentive problems with other exportable products, high interest of bank loan etc. These problems hamper the production of processed fishes of these Fish Processing Plants and also discourage the plant owners to export. To minimize the problems of this sector government should take necessary initiatives. So, it would create great opportunity to earn foreign currency by exporting the fish and fishery products and as well as contribute to the development of our country.

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Md. Motaher Hossain, Associate Professor, Dept. of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

E-mail: motaher03@yahoo.com