Shrimp cultivation influencing factors for locational choice and its compatibility with international and national policies

Abstract

The origin of traditional shrimp cultivation started from 1930s, where commercial shrimp cultivation began globally in the 1970s. During 1980’s the profit of the shrimp industry began to attract the interests of dominant forces of Bangladesh. Local and outsider are very interested for the business because it is a profitable sector. In the research, Ghatbogh union of Rupsha unazila and Raghunathpur union of Dumuria upazila have been selected as study areas. From 1995 to 2010, Shrimp cultivated area increased from 3,455 acre to 6,812 acre in Ghatbogh union and 4,574.72 acre to 5,266.25 acre in Raghunathour union. Then responsible factors behind shrimp cultivation have been identified. Finally the gap between international policy and national policies for sustainable shrimp farming have been identified. Data has collected by primary and secondary method. Maps and documents have collected from the LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) office. Influencing factors of shrimp cultivation was collected through FGD (Focus Group Discussion). Stratified random sampling used to determine sample size. A measurable portion of agricultural land has shifted to shrimp cultivation in Ghatbogh Union of Rupsha upazila than Raghunathpur union of Dumuria upazila. The influencing factors has identified by peoples participation. The significant factors are ; leasing rent is low, more profitable than fresh water aquaculture, more profitable than paddy cultivation, nearest distance to road or embankment, easy to enter saline water, available of land, lack of knowledge about environment, low price of land, availability of labour, lack of implementation of landuse regulations and easy to collect fry etc. The location of shrimp farm in the study area is unsuitable according to the design standard. Shrimp farmers do not follow the national and international policies for selecting the location of shrimp farm. This research will help the policy makers, environmentalists, socialists, fisheries expert and landuse planners to choice the appropriate location for shrimp farm as well as to protect the agricultural land, forest, homestead, road infrastructure and wet land in the coastal area.