Economic Evaluation of Traditional Shrimp Farming in the South West Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Traditional coastal shrimp farming is nearly a half-century old practice of the coastal people of Bangladesh. Generally traditional or extensive culture system is followed widely. In the south-west costal region i.e. Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira district shrimp culture is based on saline water. Main species cultured here is (P. Monodon). Main culture period is January to July/August. Farmers have flow of income from shrimp production over 8-9 months in a year. Farmers stock more or less 5 times in a year. Most of the farmer stock hatchery PL because of low cost. The items of cost are mainly establishment and repairing, fingerlings (seed), liming, fertilizer, feed, fuel, labor and rent. The other input costs including lime, cow dung, urea, TSP, Khail (oil cake) and feed etc. The fixed costs for the extensive farming systems have been calculated as Tk. 19172.61 per ha while the variable costs is Tk. 86048.09 per ha per year. Average production per ha per year is calculated in for the year 2006 was 226.67 kg per ha per year and average income was tk. 164352.37 per ha. Average net return calculated was Tk. 59131.67 per ha. The benefit-cost ratio is 1:1.68 and the breakeven yield per ha per year is 258.83 kg per ha. Still now the shrimp sector has the opportunity to develop and if the production can be increased and quality can be ensured foreign earnings will increase within a very short period of time. Joint collaboration of private, Government and NGO sector is essential in this case of technology development and implementation, supply of finance and better management practice. Farmers have a chance to increase the profitability 3 to 5 times by improving culture system and introducing better management practices.