Transforming organic prawn farming in Bangladesh: potentials and challenges

Although giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man) farming is widely practiced in southwest Bangladesh due to favorable biophysical resources and agro-climatic conditions, organic prawn culture has not yet taken off. However, the culture of wild prawn postlarvae and the use of snail meat and farm-made feeds with cow dung in many respects are considered as semi-organic. A considerable number of extensive and improved-extensive farmers practice this form of organic culture in southwest Bangladesh. Transformation to truly organic prawn culture, however, faces various environmental, socioeconomic, and technical challenges. We review the opportunities and challenges associated with a transformation towards fully organic prawn farming. We suggest that institutional support and technical assistance may enable prawn farmers to be engaged in fully organic culture that could bring widespread social, economic, and environmental benefits in Bangladesh.