Opportunities and challenges for the development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh: potential for food security and economic growth

Although prawn farming in rice fields is concentrated in the southwest of Bangladesh, the southeast region has been identified as a promising area for prawn culture, owing to favorable resources and agro-climatic conditions. To date, however, relatively few farmers in this area have adopted prawn culture. We examined the opportunities and constraints for the development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh. The prospects for prawn-carp polyculture and integrated prawn-fish-rice farming in southeast Bangladesh are positive but require institutional and organizational support, and technical assistance. We conclude that the sustainable development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh has considerable potential for increasing incomes and improving the food security of farming households, and more broadly the economic growth of the country through earnings from the export of prawns.