Potential shrimp and crab industry: In the sixties, like other coastal areas in the south of the country, in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna district, many polders of different sizes were created as a result of construction of embankment for paddy production through tidal and salt water control. The only rainfed aman paddy was produced in the land inside these polders and the tidal water entered through the water supply gate and breaking the dam or barrier, like other fish floating with natural water, the shrimp fry were caught by the farmers in isolation from the net. After independence, due to the increase in shrimp exports and demand in the world market, farmers used to catch bagged shrimp fry from the river before the rainy season and keep them in the canal water. In order to increase the production of Bagda Shrimp, the farmers started to cultivate Bagda Shrimp in a planned manner by increasing the water fertility and using supplementary food. Due to this, the tendency of single and community based shrimp farming has increased among the people in this area. The field of shrimp farming has expanded. Even a decade ago, the production of shrimp in this upazila was 3500 MT, which has increased to 5620 MT in 2013. Affordable price: The price of shrimp produced here is lower than other areas. Due to the natural environment and easy availability of food required for shrimp production, shrimps are widely produced, so it is possible to purchase shrimps at low prices. Benefits: Baghdad plays a major role in the production and sale of shrimp. People of all walks of life including poor, helpless, unemployed youth, rich people enjoy the benefits of shrimp farming. Current Market: This bagda shrimp is sold in almost all districts of Bangladesh including Dhaka. Wholesalers and retailers from different parts of Bangladesh come and buy shrimp. It is well known to the people of different districts of the country including different countries of the world. The demand for this is increasing day by day as reports in this regard have been published in various national newspapers of Bangladesh. Many day laborers / traders also work in this shrimp industry. Asha Banjak: Bagda shrimp industry has spread to other areas including this upazila. The Baghdad shrimp business has alleviated the poverty of the people of the area and brought economic success. So far, 60 women have been trained in this regard in collaboration with the Department of Youth Development and loans have been provided through the Department of Youth Development. This has the potential to expand the industry.
Planning and Implementation: Cabinet Division, A2I, BCC, DoICT and BASIS