Production of shrimp and prawn has increased about 20 percent at small-scale farms that are managed carefully. A recent survey of selected smallholders in the south-western region has shown this progress. In Bangla, shrimp is called Bagda (brackish-water black tiger shrimp), and prawn is called Golda (giant freshwater prawn).
Fisheries experts believe there is a good opportunity in shrimp and prawn farming in Bangladesh. SAFETI's (Safe Aqua Farming for Economic and Trade Improvement project) information, knowledge, and Dos that are farming management practiceshave supported smallholders and other stakeholders to flourish shrimp and prawn farming business.
It is encouraging to know from them that the output of this high-value exportable item can be more than doubled if required practices are followed and necessary investments made.
As evidence shows, more than 25,000 'trained' smallholders have since 2018 secured much better yield in their shrimp/prawn farms as they have been guided under the five-year SAFETI project implemented by Winrock International and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A recent survey finding shows that shrimp production increased up to 523 kg/ha in 2020 from around 405 kg/ha in 2018. Similarly, the production of prawn rose to 795 kg/ha from 626 kg/ha during the said period. The target of the project is to disseminate appropriate knowledge and farming practices among the rest of the smallholders and thus bringa significant change in their earning and living standard.
An expert said shrimp and prawn production can be raised by several times if improved farming methods are applied without compromise. "That has never been done in our case," added Dr. Mokarrom Hossain, a former Chief of Party of the SAFETI project.
The SAFETI team is confident that a manifold increase in shrimp and prawn production is possible if, among other things, disease-free seeds (post-larvae) are used, the farm is made bio-secure and quality feed is provided. Post-larvae (PL) areconsidered one of the critical inputs while quality of feed is another important aspect of successful production.
TheBangladesh economy awaits a game-changer and those who've worked closely with experts and farmers believe there are realistic hopes in the shrimp and prawn farming and business, for smallholders, traders, and exporters.
According to the survey conducted by SAFETI, the selected smallholdershave followed some 'Dos'known as 'Six Steps' recommended by the SAFETI project for raising production that increased in a range between 45 percent and 95 percent.
The SAFETI Dosare: (i) Maintain 3-5 feet depth of water and remove mud from the pond; (ii) clean water and make it germ-free; (iii) prevent spread of diseases and germs through proper biosecurity; (iv) stock disease-free post-larvae with proper density; (v) supply good quality feeds; and (vi) ensure good health of shrimp/prawn and quality of water.
The SAFETI Dos can help improve productivity of shrimp and prawn at home and increase business abroad, Ferdous Ansari, a Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer in Bagerhat told a farmers' event.
SAFETI has developed a mobile phone app called Shrimp Farming BD app, now available in the Google play store. Over 15,000 smallholder farmers have been connected to it to access updated information, production methods, calculation of inputs, farming management practices, etc. FAQ (frequently asked question) is available there and farmers are getting necessary information.
The key problem of the production process in this industry is the lack of appropriate knowledge, observed SAFETI experts, who were assigned earlier to conduct a baseline survey. To come out of the low-production pattern, they identified some demonstration smallholders who were then provided with technical and financial support.
Almost 1,000 such smallholders reported in 2020 that the potential of shrimp production on each hectare is no less than 750 kg. According to the fisheriesdepartment estimate, the national average shrimp output was 334 kg per hectare in the 2018-19 year.
As the Export Promotion Bureau data suggests, certain stagnation in production has coincided with a continued fall in shrimp and prawn export from Bangladesh. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, shrimp exports recorded a fall - export earnings came down to Tk 30.685 billion (US$361 million) in 2018-19 from Tk 46.325 billion ($545 million) in the 2013-14 fiscal year.
The survey finding shows that the average annual sales per farmer increased to Tk 137,615 ($1,619) in 2020 from Tk 118,065 ($1,389) in 2018, which was equivalent to the sale of national average farmer. However, in the 2020 harvest season, SAFETI-supported 25,000 smallholders sold shrimp and prawn valued at Tk 3.372 billion ($39,670,809) in total.
HoimantiShuklaof Charkhali village in Rampal, Bagerhat, was about to discontinue shrimp farming since her family was losing money every year. "I couldn't produce 400 grams of shrimp and prawn in one decimal (40.5 square meters) area by following traditional method. However, after following the SAFETI Dos (six steps), I produced more than 3 kgs on each decimal," she said. This means, her shrimp productivity increased from 90 kg per ha to 741 kg per ha.
PL trader Md. Shukur Ali of Lebugati village in Abhoynagar, Jashore, too,benefited from the knowledge he gained from the training on technical best practices and business management by SAFETI. "Encouraged by farmers' interest, I am going to expand my business," he said and added that he has already purchased a prawn PL hatchery in Dumuria, Khulna.
Also, the SAFETI project addresses issues like farm income, trade, and food safety across the value chains of shrimp and prawn.
SAFETI experts suggest that it is essential to produce disease-free PL and distribute them among farmers within the shortest possible time. Currently, three hatcheries (two in Cox's Bazar and one in Khulna) in Bangladesh produce specific pathogen-free (SPF) PL. There are two hatcheries in Cox's Bazar that transport SPF PL to Khulna, the shrimp farming hub, via Jashore airport. Experts think producing SPF shrimp PL and hatchery-produced prawn PL, and transporting them to the farmers' doorstep will create a culture to purchase and use them.
According to an analysis by the SAFETI monitoring evaluation and learning team, the issues often faced by the failing farms have already been solved or can be solved in Bangladesh. Aqua-input traders, hatchery and nursery owners, processors, and other stakeholders have been trained accordingly. Now, farmers are agreeing to use SAFETI's farming practices to improve their livelihoods and contribute to development of the shrimp and prawn farming business in Bangladesh.
Salma Sultana is Communications Programme Manager, SAFETI project, Winrock International.
salma.sultana@winrock.org