Bangladesh, a country of 143,999 km2 and with a population of about 130 million people, lies in the northeastern part of Southeast Asia. The flat delta is traversed by a network of 230 rivers; their tributaries flood most of the country during the monsoon season (June-September).
It is a country of fish-eating people with very diverse and rich fish farms. It has vast water resources. The fisheries consists of inland capture, marine capture and inland aquaculture. Aquaculture production of 264,190 mt represents about 24 percent of the total fisheries production of over 1.0 million mt (1993-94). During the last decade, aquaculture production has increased by over 100 percent. The fisheries sector is very important to the national economy as it generates over US$300 million in foreign exchange, mainly through export of cultured shrimp, in addition to its contribution to national food security. The aquaculture sub-sector has very good potential for further development.
Recognising the importance of aquaculture in the national economy, the government of Bangladesh has provided generous funding support for the development of aquaculture. Special emphasis has been given to the establishment of an effective and efficient aquaculture services for the small fish farmers. The Trickle-Down Extension method introduced by FAO/UNDP projects have proven to be very successful. Under this system, the successful fish farmers act as Result Demonstration Farmers (RDF), serving as volunteer extension agents, and transfer culture technologies to the neighbouring Fellow Fish Farmers (FFF). The results of the pilot project have been successful that the Government is now implementing a nationwide project on aquaculture extension.
