TARA-Technological Assistance for Rural Advancement

In Bangladesh about 7.3 million people live in the coastal fishing villages whose livelihood in someway depend on coastal and marine fishing. It is estimated that about 20 % of the total marine catch has been dried round the year with the substantial production during October to April and, marketed both in domestic and international markets. In the current marketing system, producers have no influence over marketing and supply chain management, rather they are strongly managed and monopolized by giant traders, brokers, as well as giant super market companies, whose intervention results in price distortion in domestic market and, there by, erodes profitability and preference of primary producers. A study was conducted mainly in Kuakata (and Sundarbans), Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf area by three different investigators with associated NGOs during 2005-2006. The study was funded by BFRF and implemented in two coastal areas. Kuakata and Sundarban area Fishes are harvested by the coastal fisher communities. After harvesting, fish and fish products reach to the consumers at different level through a series of steps where many people are involved. Generally 8-10 fish species are used for commercial dry fish preparation where 3-5 k