From outside it looks like a large heavy-industry factory, but inside there is quiet, busy work. Here fish are produced in a closed cycle, from fry to market size.

This is the modern indoor method of fish farming known as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). China has advanced far in using the method and in trading its equipment. RAS uses little water and is environmentally friendly, and it is bringing revolutionary success in production. China is working to spread the technology to Asian countries quickly, with low-cost technical support.

Alongside the fish factories, small and large plants making RAS equipment have grown up in China, and they are courting Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.

Chinese experts say RAS fish farming is no less profitable than any other industry, and profit equal to the investment can come back in the first year after construction. That is why Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are going to see such Chinese ventures first-hand. Liu He, head of Water Aquaculture Equipment Technology, a RAS equipment maker in the Jiangsan area, said RAS is a proven method for avoiding investment risk in fish production.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.