JBS Vol 08. Num 2. 2006 - PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF SHRIMP AND RICE-PRAWN GHER FARMING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

Basanta Kumar Barmon
Kondo Takumi
Fumio Osanami
Abstract

The second largest export industry in Bangladesh is the shrimp industry and its contribution is about 4.7% to GDP and 9.38% of total exports. Given its importance to the economy, the present study attempts to explain the problems and prospects of shrimp/prawn gher farming system in Bangladesh. Case studies and secondary data were used in the present study. The findings indicated that the shrimp-gher farming system has a negative impact on the environment, ecology, land degradation, livestock, and water quality, whereas the rice-prawn gher farming system is friendlier to environments, ecology, and water quality and helps alleviate poverty. The rice-prawn gher farming system has significant impacts on land for modern varieties (MV) paddy production. The yield of MV paddy production under rice-prawn gher farming system is almost the same as the yield in other parts of Bangladesh where the farmers usually produce only year-round MV paddy. The rice-prawn gher farming system is providing a sufficient amount of rice, fish and vegetables to small, marginal and landless farmers that would not be possible under shrimp gher farming. The rice-prawn gher farming system will be sustainable if the government takes necessary steps for its development.