A decision has been made to provide a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills for marginal-level fish farms and hatcheries, as well as livestock and poultry farmers. To support this initiative, the Ministry of Finance has allocated Tk 100 crore.
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said the move will help reduce production costs.
Although electricity prices in agriculture are lower and already include subsidies, the fisheries sector—despite being a sub-sector of agriculture—has had to pay electricity bills at higher commercial rates. In agriculture, the average electricity price per unit is Tk 6.10, along with a 20 percent rebate. In contrast, the fisheries sector pays Tk 13.01 per unit.
From now on, industries producing animal and poultry feed, fish feed, poultry farming, and dairy processing industries—such as milk pasteurization, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, yogurt, and similar products—will also receive the 20 percent rebate. This means a subsidy of approximately Tk 2.60 per unit of electricity.
Adviser Farida Akhter said the measure will lower production costs and remove the disparity that existed with the agriculture sector. Although fisheries is a sub-sector of agriculture, it previously did not receive these benefits.
She also noted that the allocated funds will be provided directly to the Power Division through the Finance Division.
Currently, a 20 percent electricity rebate is being provided to 16 sectors.