FOAB’s E-Traceability Piloting Initiative for Promoting Fish Export

The demand for safe, sustainably produced, and reliable-source fishery products in the global market is increasing day by day. In view of this global trend, introducing a traceability system has become essential for Bangladesh's shrimp and fish export sector to maintain international standards and stay competitive. If accurate information regarding product origin, quality, and production processes cannot be provided to advanced markets, especially in Europe and America, Bangladesh's export industry will lag significantly.

Realizing the importance of this demand, the Fish Farm Owners Association, Bangladesh (FOAB) has taken the initiative to implement the “Smart Fisheries E-Traceability Piloting Project”. Through this project, the collection and analysis of data from existing grassroots traceability methods, as well as the feasibility of experimental application of e-traceability technology, have been evaluated. Technical support for implementing the project was provided by Vento Technology, and it was funded by the Business Promotion Council (BPC) of the Ministry of Commerce.

The main objective of the project was to build an app-based traceability system combining data across shrimp farming, collection, and processing stages, which will ensure the following functionalities: easy identification of detailed information regarding shrimp origin, hatchery, feed, and production; a simple, fast, and effective information recording system via mobile app; facilities for data storage and analysis in a single central database; establishment of an institutional framework helpful in traceability and quality control; and paperless, data-integrated food safety systems along with a reduction in administrative costs.

Under the piloting project, questionnaire-based surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and meetings with stakeholders at various levels were held in the selected area of Dumuria, Khulna. It was observed that there is no reliable record kept of information exchanges among shrimp farmers, intermediaries (pharia), and wholesalers, which is a major obstacle for exporting to international markets.

To address this challenge, FOAB has launched a mobile app-based e-traceability system. Through the app, farmers can record their production-related information such as fry source, feed, medicine, health management, and harvesting data. Transparency is ensured at every stage from production to marketing through QR code technology and a central database.

This digital method is expected to bring about a milestone change in the shrimp industry. It is not just a technological development, but a powerful step towards making Bangladesh's fisheries sector internationally standardized, sustainable, and export-oriented. At the same time, it will enhance coordination among producers, suppliers and marketers, collectors, processors, and exporters, opening doors of possibility to build Bangladesh's shrimp industry in the export market as a sustainable, technology-driven, and world-class industry.