A Big Change or a Silent Risk?

Shrimp farming in Bangladesh is growing fast. This work brings in over $500 million every year. It helps many poor people feed their families.

But shrimp farms also cause big problems. These include damage to water, land, trees, and farms.

Let’s explore how to make shrimp farming in Bangladesh good for both people and the planet.

What Is Shrimp Farming in Bangladesh?

Shrimp farming means raising shrimp or prawns in ponds, canals, or small fenced areas filled with water. These shrimp are not wild. Farmers grow them carefully and feed them to make them big and healthy.

Common shrimp types in Bangladesh:

Black Tiger Shrimp (Bagda)
Giant River Prawn (Golda)

These shrimp need salty or half-salty water. That’s why shrimp farms are mostly found in southern Bangladesh, near the sea and rivers.

Why is shrimp farming so popular?

Shrimp farming has grown fast for several reasons:

High demand: People in the USA, Europe, and Japan love eating shrimp.
Low cost to start: Farmers can begin with small money.
Salty land: In some areas, rice does not grow well. Shrimp grows better.
Government support: Training, loans, and policies help new farmers.
Jobs: Many people in rural areas get work from shrimp farms.

Monirul from Khulna says:
“We used to grow rice. But salt water ruined our crops. Now we farm shrimp. It brings in more money, but there are new problems too.”

What is the Present Status of Shrimp Farming in Bangladesh

Shrimp farming is now a major part of the blue economy in Bangladesh. It’s valuable blue food in Bangladesh. It helps bring in money from other countries and gives jobs to many people.

Key facts:

More than 275,000 hectares of land is used for shrimp farming.
Most farms are found in:
- Khulna
- Satkhira
- Bagerhat
- Cox’s Bazar

How much shrimp is produced and exported?

Around 80% of Black Tiger Shrimp is grown for export.
Bangladesh earns over $400 million per year from shrimp sales.
It is the second-largest export after clothing.

Who works in shrimp farming?

Over 1.2 million people work in this sector.
Many are poor rural families.
Some work in the ponds.
Others work in factories or collect baby shrimp from rivers.
A large number are women, especially in processing units.

Types of shrimp farming methods:

Extensive Farming:
- Low cost
- Less feed or care
- Common for small farms
Semi-Intensive Farming:
- More food, more care
- Higher production
Gher Farming:
- Mixes shrimp and rice in the same field
- Common in Khulna and Satkhira
- Saves land and water

Real voice from Dacope:
“We had no choice. Floods and salt killed our rice. Now we raise shrimp. It pays better, but it’s risky.”
Abdus Sattar, farmer

How Does Shrimp Farming Help Bangladesh’s Economy?

Shrimp is one of Bangladesh’s top exports. It brings in a lot of foreign money and supports jobs in many poor, rural areas.

In 2023, Bangladesh earned over $400 million from shrimp exports.

Where does the shrimp go?

Most shrimp is sold to:

United States
European Union
Japan

These countries buy shrimp because it is cheap, clean, and tasty.

How does shrimp help the country?

Shrimp is the second-biggest export after clothes.
It brings foreign exchange to support national spending.
Over 100 shrimp factories hire people to clean, freeze, and ship shrimp.
It helps small villages earn more.

How does shrimp help the people?

Farmers earn more money by switching from rice to shrimp.
People without land can still get jobs in ponds or factories.
Many women now work in shrimp processing. It gives them income.

Dr. M. A. Salam, Fisheries Expert at BAU, says:
“Shrimp farming has helped many families escape poverty. But if we don’t have strong rules, it can do harm too.”
Source: Journal of Aquaculture & Sustainability, 2023

Quick facts:

$407 million earned from shrimp exports in 2023
85% of shrimp goes to foreign markets
80% of farms are in Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat

Shrimp farming helps Bangladesh grow but we must manage it well to make it safe, fair, and long-lasting.

Is Shrimp Farming Harmful for Nature in Bangladesh?

Yes. While shrimp farming brings income, it also hurts nature if not done properly.

1. Salinity: Too Much Salt in the Soil and Water

Shrimp need salty water to grow. Farmers often pump brackish water from rivers or canals into their ponds. But this water does not stay in the pond.

Here’s what happens:

Water leaks from ponds into nearby land
It mixes with freshwater, making it salty
Farmers nearby can’t grow rice or vegetables
Drinking water also becomes salty

This harms:

Farmers and their crops
Animals and livestock
People’s health

Real Data:

The FAO reports that over 1 million hectares of land now have too much salt in the soil due to shrimp farming.

AgroBDFarmer wrote on Quora:
“We now use only half of our land for crops. The other half is dead from salt.”

Learn how smart tools can help farmers beat saltwater and floods. Visit our Aquaculture Equipment Guide.

2. Mangrove Loss: The Shrimp Ponds Took the Forest

Many shrimp farms are built close to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. Mangroves are trees that grow in salt water. They protect land from storms and are home to many birds, fish, and animals.

But:

Farmers cut down mangrove trees to make shrimp ponds
Salt from ponds damages nearby forests
Wild animals and fish lose their homes

Real Case:

A 2022 UNDP study found that shrimp farming caused 25% of mangrove loss in Khulna.

Fatema, a 42-year-old from Dacope, shared:
“Shrimp ponds took away our trees and made the land salty. We earned money but lost our future.” BRAC Community Forum

Why are mangroves important?

🌀 Stop damage from storms and floods
🐟 Safe homes for young fish
🌍 Clean the water and air
🧬 Protect biodiversity

What About Women in Shrimp Work?

Women do a lot of work in this field. But many are not paid well or at all.

Facts:

60–70% of factory workers are women
They peel, clean, and sort shrimp
Some work in cold water with no gloves
Many get only Tk. 150 per day

Real Story:
“My mother and I sort baby shrimp. The money goes to my father. We get nothing.”
Shathi, age 17, Satkhira

What Problems Do Shrimp Farmers Face?

Despite high export numbers, many challenges remain.

Problem	What Happens
Storms and Floods	Ponds break down and shrimp escape
Diseases	Shrimp die from viruses like white spot
Salt Conflicts	Shrimp water spoils rice fields nearby
No Good Hatcheries	Many farmers catch wild baby shrimp from rivers
Price Drop	Middlemen take the profit, not farmers

What Is Being Done to Solve These Issues?

Shrimp farming can bring money, but we must balance profit with protection. Without trees, clean water, and healthy soil, there is no future for farming. We must find a way to farm shrimp without hurting nature.

Government Steps

Made a Shrimp Policy in 2014
Started training programs for farmers
Opened a water research lab in Khulna
Working on Blue Economy plans

NGO and Global Help

UNDP and GEF test eco-shrimp models
WorldFish trains on safe farming
Practical Action helps farmers grow both rice and shrimp

How Can We Make Shrimp Farming Safer and Smarter?

We can still farm shrimp but in a smart and safe way.

Better Farming Ideas

Rotate shrimp with rice or fish
Don’t use harmful drugs or bleach
Reuse pond water after cleaning

Want to learn how to farm shrimp without harming the land? See our Sustainable Aquaculture Models.

Smart Tools

Use apps to check water quality
Satellites can track salty zones
Blockchain can help with fair prices

Policy Help

Keep farms away from mangrove zones
Support low-salt shrimp species
Give fair wages to women workers

Shafiqur and Yasmin from Bagerhat

“We farm shrimp now. But salt water has ruined our land. Our girl can’t go to school when harvest comes. She helps us in the ponds.”
Shafiqur & Yasmin, Morrelganj

This is not just one story. Thousands live like this. We need to act now.

Work with EcoNature BD for Safe Shrimp Solutions

Want to help shrimp farming become safe, green, and fair?

EcoNature BD can help you:

Build smart, salt-safe farms
Train women and farmers
Use apps and IoT tools
Design projects for climate zones

Contact EcoNature BD today to start your project.

Shrimp farming is both a hope and a risk. With care, tech, and fair plans, Bangladesh can lead the world in smart shrimp farming.

Join hands with EcoNature BD to make it happen!

FAQs

1. What is shrimp farming?

It’s raising shrimp in ponds near the coast.

2. Is it good for money?

Yes. But only if it’s done right.

3. Is it safe for nature?

No. It can hurt land, trees, and water if not managed.

4. Do women work in this?

Yes. But many don’t get fair pay.

5. Can we farm shrimp in a better way?

Yes! Using tech, new methods, and eco rules can help.

6. Who can help?

Groups like FAO, DoF, and EcoNature BD can guide safe farming.