Increasing Income Through Prawn Juvenile Farming

The north-central region of Bangladesh has thousands of rural ponds that are suitable for prawn farming, providing a new source of income for rural aquaculture farmers. The REAP project encouraged farmers to form associations and undertake prawn aquaculture in these ponds. Interested progressive farmers were trained in prawn juvenile rearing in 11 sub-districts of the project area. During the project period, 60 juvenile raisers were developed, producing more than 450,000 juveniles in two production seasons. These juveniles were sold to grow-out farmers of the association and to other interested farmers, increasing the availability of juveniles for higher-priced, larger-sized prawns. Azizul Haque, a farmer from Phulpur sub-district, was one of the most successful prawn post-larvae (PL) nursery operators. He previously raised carp fingerlings and sold them as a hawker from door to door. After receiving training through REAP on PL rearing, he selected his homeestead pond for rearing PL to juveniles. After two months of rearing, Haque harvested 18,980 juveniles out of 20,860 PL, for a survival rate of 91 percent, netting him a profit of BDT 132,860 (US$1,898). The success of Haque and other farmers encouraged many progressive farmers in the project area to take on freshwater prawn farming. As a result, the practice has become one of the most profitable aquaculture practices for small farmers in the north-central region of Bangladesh. The increase in production of prawn has also contributed positively to the country's export and foreign exchange earnings. The REAP project has empowered small and marginal farmers in the area, enabling them to earn more and improve their families' well-being. The project's success has also promoted the development of rural aquaculture, providing a new source of income for rural communities. Winrock International's efforts have contributed to the growth of the aquaculture industry in Bangladesh, promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities.