AUTHOR(S):

Rashedul Islam, Shigeru Tabeta

TITLE

Impacts of Shrimp Farming on Local Environments and Livelihoods in Bangladesh

KEYWORDS

shrimp farming, prawn farming, soil salinity, crop production, livelihoods

ABSTRACT

Commercial shrimp culture has been dramatically expanded over the last three decades in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. The reason behind such expansion is high demand of shrimp in international market and its potential for making quick profit. The suitable agro-climatic condition and availability of resources such as seed, feed, water and labor force also trigger rapid horizontal expansion of this sector. The present study was carried out in two coastal sub-districts in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. One of these sub-districts named Rampal sub-district is dominated by saline water shrimp farming and other one named Dumuria sub-district is dominated by agriculture and freshwater prawn farming. The aim of the study is to expound the impact of shrimp and prawn-rice farming on agriculture, livestock and livelihoods of local marginal farmers who are the majority of the society. The results showed that effects of salinity intrusion due to shrimp farming significantly reduced the crops and livestock production, and ceased many livelihood options of the local people in Rampal sub-district over last three decades. On the other hand in same time period crops production in Dumuria sub-district has been significantly increased and prawn-rice farming system creates versatile employment opportunities of the local people.

Cite this paper

Rashedul Islam, Shigeru Tabeta. (2016) Impacts of Shrimp Farming on Local Environments and Livelihoods in Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Science, 1, 48-51