Climate change and diseases have devastated shrimp farmers in Khulna, causing them to face losses they have never encountered before. A new cluster method has been developed by the Department of Fisheries through which farmers are looking forward to recovering from the disaster.
Traditional shrimp farming had previously been resulting in losses for farmers for several years. Many factors contributed to the shrimps’ deaths, including water salinity, climate change, and diseases. A constant loss of income led to a financial disaster for farmers in the Khulna region.
In the midst of despair, the Department of Fisheries organized shrimp farmers and showed them new possibilities. Coastal and marine fisheries farmers have been well organized and 300 clusters have been included in the project. There are 25 enclosures in each cluster. Each enclosure is between 33 and 150 decimals in size. These clusters cover a total of 2,500 hectares. Through the project, 7,500 shrimp farmers have been organized into 300 clusters.
During 2019, 25 upazila of five districts of the Khulna region were involved in the project. The project duration is from December 2018 to December 2023. A total of eight upazila in Khulna, nine in Bagerhat, seven in Satkhira, two in Jessore, and three in Gopalganj are involved in the project.
Sheikh Mahtab Hossain, president of Tipna New Road Prawn Cultivation Cluster in Dumuria upazila of Khulna, said: “We have successfully cultivated shrimp in clusters. Fisheries Department advice will benefit farmers. After preparing the enclosure, I was hoping for a matching grant. Despite the delay, we are grateful to receive financial assistance.”
According to Aminul Haque, assistant upazila fisheries officer in Koyra upazila, ten clusters have been formed. Farmers in the cluster are responsible for digging on their own to increase the depth of the enclosures.
Moreover, the government intends to provide funds to farmers whose clusters meet the requirements for shrimp farming.
In accordance with the project guidelines, applications were invited for grants to prepare enclosures. All expenses, including digging and road construction, shrimp fry collection, enclosure preparation, good aquaculture practices, electricity, construction of office rooms, and purchasing necessary equipment, will be covered by this grant.
As of now, 300 clusters have been selected, and 90 clusters have already been awarded the first installment of the grant, which is US $1.2 million.
The grants have been awarded to more than 2,250 farmers across 90 clusters (each cluster has 25 enclosures). According to some estimates, this method of cultivation can increase production by 20%. It is possible, however, to double production instead of increasing it by 20% if everything is done correctly. The success of modern shrimp farming becomes apparent after four months in Khulna.
According to Bagerhat Fisheries Officer ASM Russell, “The district has 16 clusters. So far, 16 farmers have fulfilled the requirements to qualify for matching grants. “I hope to see an increase in production.”
A cluster system of shrimp farming in Khulna benefits coastal farmers. Since adopting the system, shrimp production has increased significantly. In the eyes of some people involved in shrimp farming, the model has given the industry a new lease on life.
Experts believe, that if shrimp farming can be expanded in clusters, it will increase production and create jobs in the southern coastal areas.
Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU
