A proto-type of planned e-traceability system for shrimps was launched recently in Khulna.
Md Raisul Alam Mondal, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL), officially launched the system.
Industry insiders said if Bangladesh succeeds in introducing and scaling up of the e-traceability system, the consumers' acceptance of Bangladesh shrimp export will improve and the country will be able to brand its products more effectively in international market and fetch higher per unit value for the shrimp shipment.
A successful introduction of the e-traceability system will also improve quality of products in the domestic market and help ensure food safety.
Mondal said that ensuring good quality of shrimp produced in the coastal region of Bangladesh is of vital importance for the future export growth of shrimp, particularly, Bagda shrimp produced in the south-eastern and south-western part of the country.
The government has, therefore, identified introduction of a dependable e-traceability system for the shrimp sector in Bangladesh as an important priority so that the origin of the shrimp produced in the country can be traced from the grass-roots production level up to the buyers.
Such a traceability system focused on each point of the shrimp value chain including hatcheries, ponds, collection centres and processing plant will enable to ensure product safety and detection of any problems at any point of the value chain compromising the quality of the products.
A hands-on demonstration of the pilot system being developed was given by an e-traceability team of the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF), led by Shourav Islam, said a statement.
The chief guest and other participants at the launching ceremony were apprised of the operational modalities of the e-traceability system being developed for Bangladesh and the technical and other professional requirements that will have to be upgraded to ensure the success of the system.
The pilot e-traceability launching ceremony was addressed, among others, by Md Goljar Hossain, Director General, Department of Fisheries, Syed Mahmudul Huq, Chairman, BSFF, Dr Mahmudul Karim, Founder Executive Director, BSFF, Ambassador Shafi U Ahmed, Adviser and Director, BSFF, Moin Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director, MKA Hatchery Ltd and AK Hasan Panna, Managing Director, Fahim Seafood Limited.
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