| Author | Faruque, Md. Golam |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-98-07 |
| Subject(s) | Shrimp culture--Bangladesh--Shyamnagar
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Bangladesh is situated at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, where ample sources of brackish water and wild fry have placed the coastal areas in a unique position in shrimp farming. The country has a great potentiality for extending shrimp farming throughout the coastal regions. During the last few years, there has been a great shortage of wild fry as well as natural hazards which have influenced shrimp culture significantly. This study made against this factors and investigates shrimp farming in one of the coastal areas-Shyamnagar Thana. Five objectives were specified for the study: main feature of the study area, economic aspects, environmental aspects, marketing and recommendation. A field survey was done by the researcher himself and additional secondary data were collected from different sources. Data were analyzed by using SPSS and MS Excel. Farmers operate improved extensive and extensive farming techniques where per hectare production is 212 kg and 176 kg respectively. This production is much lower than in other countries (e,g., Thailand and Australia where per hectare production are 6500 kg and 6000 kg respectively). Fry and lease cost are the two economic factors which influence the shrimp culture most. Fry cost constitutes 36 percent and lease cost 35 percent of total cost. The opportunity of formal credit existing in the study area is not adequate. About 30 percent cultivators had taken credit from money lenders/traders/friends. Most of the farms are not operating well in terms of profit. This raise the question of stainability in shrimp farming in Shyamnagar. Most of the farmers stock fry in January-February and some farmers reserve fry in November-December, when fry price is low, and start to operate their farms with this reserved fry in January and February. At this time optimum temperature, salinity and pH do not exist in the water of the farm. This hampers rapid growth as well as causes stress and diseases in the shrimp farm. Additionally, a severe flood in 1995 and infestation of virus in 1996 have greatly hampered shrimp culture in Shyamnagar. There is a long marketing route of shrimp in Shyamnagar. About 70 percent cultivators sell their produce to the local farias where they get much lower price than local traders' price. Cultivators get only 65 percent of export price. The difference between the export price and the price received by the cultivators is 162 Taka per kilogram. A reason for this is that market price information flows backward. The payment behavior of some traders and factory agents is not satisfactory. These phenomena indicate the inefficient performance in shrimp marketing in Shyamnagar. . The study recommends adopting semi-intensive farming techniques to increase per acre production as well as reducing the lease cost. Government hatchery/hatcheries to reduce the fry cost. Government and private banks or any other departments or organizations are recommended to provide formal credit on easy accessible terms. Farm operation should be started in February and be completed before August to maintain the optimum temperature and salinity to ensure the growth and escaping from stress and diseases. Additionally, at least one government procurement center and export and processing plant should be established in the area to promote competition and therewith increased price for the farmers. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dale, Reidar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, J. K. ;Amin, A. T. M. Nurul; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of United Kingdom; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |