CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, July 30: The commercial cultivation of Kuchia (Gangetic Mud Eel) is rising with a new hope among farmers in Char Fasson Upazila of the district.
Farming Kuchia is considered as more profitable than farming other fishes in ponds.
Kuchia farming in 12-foot artificial ponds provides more outcome than farming carp fishes in the pond of five bighas.
Kuchia cultivation can play a vital role to reinforce the country's economy and earn foreign currency as well. In this connection, Fisheries Unit of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in Char Fasson Upazila has now started a project to cultivate kuchia.
An NGO Family Development Association (FDA) started cultivating kuchia in 10 farms of Charharis Village under Nazrul Nagar Union in the upazila in 2018.
Several farming families are now getting curious about cultivating kuchia in the upazila.
While visiting recently, it was found that kuchia is being cultivated in six or seven small ditches of about 15 square feet each.
The kuchia farmers are mostly Hindus. They said they are happy with the cultivation. They export kuchia to Dhaka, they added.
There are many people who eat kuchia.
A kuchia farmer Biraz Kulu of Charharis Village said he has a little farm and is earning profit through kuchia cultivation. He earned Tk 30,000 to 40,000 in five to six months of the farming. Now, his family is economically solvent.
Agriculture Officer of FDA Agriculturalist Saidur Rahman said the Charharis Village is known as "Kuchia Palli" (kuchia village). There are ten farmers who cultivate kuchia in the village.
Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Maruf Hossain Minar said the Fisheries Department is training farmers on kuchia cultivation. The kuchia fish generally takes fish fry and earthworm.
Executive Director of FDA Kamaluddin said, "We are trying to do something new in Char Fasson with the financial help of PKSF. Earlier, we planted date tree on our office compound, and the plants are now growing up. Fishes are being cultivated in developed method in tanks now."
Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Maruf Hossain Minar said, "We have visited the farms and gave necessary suggestions to inspire the farmers. The farmers are enjoying farming here. As the people from our country usually do not eat kuchia, there is no risk of theft at all. There is huge demand of this fish outside the country."
