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Brackish-water Shrimp Cultivation Threatens Permanent Damage to Coastal Agriculture in Bangladesh.

Md. Rezaul Karim
Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Over the past 20 years, brackish-water shrimp cultivation in the coastal zone of Bangladesh has contributed increasingly to the national economy, but there is a lack of quantitative data on the effects of shrimp farming at the household and community levels. This study investigate the impact of shrimp cultivation on the environment and farmers' livelihood in a typical sub-district of the coastal zone in Bangladesh. The variables involved with shrimp cultivation and their impact on the land were also taken into consideration and an attempt was made to analyze the patterns of land-use change that occurred between 1975 and 1999. The extensive pattern of shrimp cultivation was achieved by expansion of area rather than by intensification. The expansion of shrimp farming has resulted in decrease in crop production and many environmental problems in the form of a shortage of livestock fodder, fuel scarcity and decreases in traditional labour forces. Under the present circumstances, shrimp cultivation though was found to be beneficial for a selected group of people, but it had negatively affected the livelihoods of the landless and marginal farmers, making it difficult for them to survive in the coastal area of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Brackish-water, Shrimp cultivation, Coastal zone, Coastal agriculture.

Location: Rampal Upazila (sub-district), Bagerhat District, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-00-1975

End Date: 00-00-1999

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Shrimp

Objectives:

To identify the inherent potentials and problems of shrimp cultivation
To understand the implications of brackish water shrimp cultivation on total agriculture
To recommend better land-use planning for productivity in coastal agriculture

Methodology:

The study was conducted in 43 selected villages of Rampal Upazila (sub-district) of Bagerhat District. Rampal Upazila covers 33,546 ha of land and is located in the centre of the western region of the coastal zone. It is situated on the Mongla river and is well connected to the Passur river. The area is close to the Sundarbans mangrove forest. The study area was selected on the basis of the following criteria: (i) the area should have extensive shrimp culture; (ii) shrimp farming should have been going on for at least 10 years in the area; (iii) the change in the physical environment should be homogeneous and representative of the situation in the coastal areas; and (iv) shrimp should be the main crop and provide the major share of income to the farmers of the area. Information was collected from 373 respondent belonging to five landowner categories using land-use survey and questionnaire survey techniques. Field observation based on the perception of local people was carried out and recorded documents of relevant studies were examined. Changes in the land-use pattern, socio-economic condition and the environmental situation of the area were recorded for three time periods: 1975, 1985 and 1999. Information relating to the landscape ecology in the past was collected with Retrospective Inquiry System (RIS) techniques and ground truthing was performed with the help of aerial photography and satellite images.

Source of Information: CAB International 2006. Environment and Livelihoods in Tropical Coastal Zones (eds C.T.Hoanh,T.P.Tung,J.W.Gowing and B. Hardy)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Brackish-water shrimp production in Rampal Upazila gave higher income than rice cultivation, but its expansion has negative effects on the physical, social and natural environment. There is a need for effective planning, site selection and management of shrimp farms, with due consideration to the environment and a comprehensive approach to sustainable development. In the economic analysis, it is important to take into account the cost of environmental degradation. Reducing the area under shrimp cultivation and raising the yield by intensification may be one way to help minimize these costs, but there may be other alternatives that require further investigation. One of the reasons for the decline in vegetation cover and biodiversity affecting livelihoods of farmers is the encroachment of shrimp ponds towards the homestead. A case can therefore be made for demarcating a buffer zone around the homestead areas which shrimp ponds should not be developed.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings