Ilish production in Bangladesh has gone up by 159.76% in 15 years, thanks to the government's efforts, including their ban on catching brood fish, and fries.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, told parliament during a question-and-answer session on Tuesday, about the remarkable increase in ilish production.
"Production of ilish stood at 517,000 tons in 2017-18, up from 199,000 tons in 2002-03.
"The estimated market value of the 517,000 tons of ilish stands at Tk200 billion, calculated at Tk400 per kg," the minister said.
Bangladesh has emerged as a model for ilish management policy, which now India and Myanmar follow, said the minister.
Total production is expected to surpass 550,000 tons in five years, he added.
Responding to a query, Ashraf said per capita consumption of milk, meat, and eggs has been rising since fiscal year 2008-09.
Per capita milk consumption a day stood at 158.19ml in 2017-18 fiscal year, up from 43.35ml in 2008-09, the minister told the House.
Availability of per capita meat per day was 122g in 2017-18 fiscal, up from 20g in 2008-09, while for eggs, it was 95 in 2017-18, up from 32 in 2008-2009, the minister further stated.
