Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the young people to take up fish farming as profession.

"There is a huge opportunity of employment in the sector and this should be utilised," she said in a pre-recorded video message marking the 18th founding anniversary of Awami Matsyajibi League.

The PM said the government has taken measures to improve fish production through expansion of pisciculture and research.

Reiterating her government's goal of making Bangladesh economically self-sufficient, Hasina said the country will move forward following the ideals and principles of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"On the 50th anniversary of our independence and birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, our pledge will be to make the country developed and prosperous.

"We will build Golden Bangladesh of the Father of the Nation," she said.

The PM said the government is providing training to youths on fish farming so that they can make the country more advanced in fish production.

She said Karmasangsthan Bank is providing collateral-free loan to youths so that they can stand on their own feet.

Hasina said instead of running after office jobs on completion of studies, the educated young people can engage in fish production for their livelihood.

The government is setting up 100 economic zones where food processing industries can be set up to create opportunities for marketing, she added.

The premier asked Matsyajibi League leaders to strengthen its organisational capacity to supplement the government's efforts to increase fish production.

She said the per capita fish consumption in the country is now 62 grams.

The citizens of the country no longer suffer from malnutrition due to the government's initiative to ensure nutrition, the PM said.

Hasina said to increase fish production further, which is now around 50 lakh tonnes a year, the government is renovating ponds, and excavating canals, lakes and rivers.

She also said the government has taken special measures to improve hilsa production in which Bangladesh is number one now.