Pond Management System Among Small Farmers in Khulna, Bangladesh

Abstract

Pond management is one of the most critical aspects in aquaculture production. The mass production of aquatic species need a systematic approach starting from the selection of species and fry, pond preparation, equipment, water management, feeding schedule, material and maintenance. This chapter focuses on the pond management among small farmers in Khulna Bangladesh. The analysis covers (i) farming system, (ii) pond preparation, (iii) seedling/brood stock/fry (iv) feeding management, (v) water management and (vi) stocking and harvesting. The Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii farming in Khulna was using traditional method, with minimum input from modern technology, and yet it was very sustainable and environmental friendly. The farmers prefer to produce shrimp rather than paddy due to high income generation. Despite having small size of ponds, farmers are producing more and earn sufficient income to run the family and have succeeded in eliminating poverty. The yield is promising and reaching almost 80–95% every season and achieved higher survival rate. The understanding of management practices in Khulna, Bangladesh can be inspiration and guide for improving aquaculture management practices especially in maintaining higher survival rate and sustainability of small farmers can be seen as potential driver of demarginalization.