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Value-chain Analysis of Freshwater Apple Snail (pila Globosa) Used for On-farm Feeds in the Freshwater Prawn Farming Sector in Bangladesh

S.A.A. Nahid
Faculty of Fisheries, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh

P.J.G. Henriksson
CML, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands

M.A. Wahab
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Growth of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) sector in Bangladesh since 1970s has been supported by natural availability of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa), used for on-farm prawn feeds. The present study identified the current configuration of the value-chain benefits and constraints of freshwater apple snail in south-western Bangladesh in August 2011, based upon Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) approach. The site of snail collection was Chanda Beel in Gopalganj district, while trading, processing and final consumption was represented by Rayer Mahal Bazar in Khulna district. There were seven different nodes recognized throughout the value chain. Snail marketing was identified as a seasonal business and took place during June to November each year. Between 1995 and 2011 the price of whole snail, meat and shell has increased by 800%, 325% and 315%, respectively. The abundance of snail had been reduced and its demand has increased due to the expansion of the prawn farming industry. Prawn farmers preferred snail meat due to its’ low cost (US$ 0.21 kg-1) as a source of protein compared to commercial prawn feed (US$ 0.41 kg-1). Snail harvesting and processing were considered as additional livelihood options for the poor, where 60% of the labour involved in snail harvesting were women, and 95% the de-shelling workforce. Induced breeding in captivity and sustainable management in nature as well as development of commercial production of apple snails might reduce the pressure on ecosystems and positively contributed to the continued expansion of freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Prawn Farming, Snail, Value Chain

Location: Khulna

Start Date: 00-08-2011

End Date: 00-08-2011

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Prawn

Objectives:

To identifiy the current configuration of the value-chain benefits and constraints of freshwater apple snail in south-western Bangladesh

Methodology:

Study locations were identified through a preliminary interview of 10 DoF (Department of Fisheries) personnel in Khulna and fieldwork was conducted in August 2011. The site of snail collection was Chanda Beel in Gopalganj district, where a major portion of all snails originate from. Trading and processing is represented by Rayer Mahal Bazar in Khulna district and the final utilization is also representative of practices in Khulna where a high density of prawn farms are located. Data was collected using a Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) approach. This method relies on a combination of secondary data, a review of trends and primary data collected by interviews. After identifying chain actors, respondents were opportunistically approached for each market stage. Data for the specific inventories were collected directly from the stakeholders by personal interview (total 35 interviews, 5 for each chain actors) and focus group discussion (total 3 FGD for harvesters, small retailers and farmers), using a questionnaire. Secondary information was collected from published reports.

Source of Information: ISSN: 2224-0616 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 22-30, December, 2013 Available online at http://www.ijarit.webs.com

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The snail sector has an important contribution to the national prawn farming sector. It also provides a source of income for all the men and women involved in the marketing chain, from harvesters to farmers. Concerns have, however, recently be raised about the long term sustainability of this sector at the current rate of exploitation lack of planning and improper management has led to decreases in wild stocks at an alarming rate. Due to the snail’s ecological importance in limiting the overgrowth of aquatic environments, as well as its economic significance in generating livelihood options for the poor and providing low cost protein source in aquaculture, the government needs to impose policy options to protect snail habitats and populations.

Knowledge Management: Journal