Lush green prawn farms in Bangladesh with golden prawns

Unlock Freshwater Prawn Farming Profits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Reese Marlowe in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the lucrative world of freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh: discover the secrets to sustainability, profitability, and environmental harmony."

The fisheries sector is a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economy, providing nutrition, employment, and foreign exchange. Fish constitutes 74% of the animal protein consumed and supports 1.2 million direct employees. An additional 10.8 million individuals indirectly rely on the sector for their livelihoods. Fisheries contribute 4.73% to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 4.04% of its foreign exchange earnings, employing about 7% of the national workforce.

Freshwater prawn farming, particularly with golda prawns, holds immense potential in international markets. Golda prawns are predominantly exported to the USA, Japan, and Europe. Thousands of farmers in southwest Bangladesh, especially in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira districts, have transformed their paddy fields into 'ghers' to facilitate profitable prawn culture.

This guide provides a deep dive into the economics of freshwater prawn farming (FPF) in Bangladesh. It combines financial insights with practical sustainability advice to help you build a thriving and responsible aquaculture venture. We'll explore the costs, returns, and environmental considerations, offering a clear path to success.

Maximize Your Prawn Farming Profits: Key Cost Factors

Lush green prawn farms in Bangladesh with golden prawns

Understanding the cost structure is vital for making informed decisions in any production process. In freshwater prawn farming, costs are broadly categorized into variable and fixed. Variable costs fluctuate with the level of production and include items such as labor, fingerlings, fertilizers, manure, irrigation, feed, lime, and insecticides. Farmers in the study area utilized both purchased and home-supplied inputs.

Let's break down the main cost components:

Human Labor Costs: Total human labor per hectare averaged 148 man-days, comprising 60 man-days of family labor and 88 man-days of hired labor. The total cost of human labor for all operations was Tk. 20580.00 per hectare. Harvesting and gher supervision accounted for the highest labor costs.
Post-Larvae (PL) Costs: Most golda shrimp farmers in the study area used purchased PL, with costs averaging Tk. 25000.00 per hectare for year-round shrimp farming.
Fertilizer and Manure Costs: Farmers used Urea and TSP fertilizers, along with cow dung manure, to enhance natural feed production. Manure costs were Tk. 194.00 per hectare.
Feed Costs: Shrimp farmers used various supplementary feeds such as rice bran and wheat bran, with feed costs totaling Tk. 3000.00 per hectare.
Lime Costs: Lime application is crucial for water quality. Farmers used 150 kg/ha, costing Tk. 2250.00 per hectare.
Miscellaneous Costs: These include all incidental expenses, averaging Tk. 2000.00 per hectare.

Fixed costs, on the other hand, remain constant regardless of production levels. These include land use costs (Tk. 19,000.00 per hectare), canal digging and boundary dam costs (Tk. 2174.00), guard shed costs (Tk. 1239.00), and net and equipment costs (Tk. 619.00). Interest on operating capital was calculated at Tk. 1762.00.

Sustainable Prawn Farming: A Path to Prosperity

Freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh offers a promising path to economic prosperity, provided it's approached with a focus on sustainability. By understanding the key cost factors, implementing environmentally sound practices, and staying informed about market trends, you can build a successful and responsible aquaculture business. Embrace innovation, prioritize sustainability, and contribute to the long-term health of Bangladesh's fisheries sector.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16779, Alternate LINK

Title: Economics Of Fresh Water Prawn Farming In Southwest Region Of Bangladesh

Subject: Pharmaceutical Science

Journal: Progressive Agriculture

Publisher: Bangladesh Journals Online (JOL)

Authors: F Yasmin, M Hossain, Ms Islam, Mha Rashid

Published: 2013-11-02

Everything You Need To Know

What makes freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh a significant contributor to the national economy?

Freshwater prawn farming is a key part of Bangladesh's fisheries sector, which contributes 4.73% to the nation's GDP and 4.04% of its foreign exchange earnings. The fisheries sector as a whole employs about 7% of the national workforce and provides vital nutrition, with fish constituting 74% of the animal protein consumed. Golda prawns, specifically, have strong export potential to markets like the USA, Japan, and Europe. This creates employment and income opportunities, especially in regions like Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, where farmers have adapted their paddy fields into 'ghers' for prawn culture.

What are the main variable costs involved in freshwater prawn farming, and how do they impact profitability?

Variable costs in freshwater prawn farming include expenses that change with the level of production, such as human labor, post-larvae (PL), fertilizers, manure, feed, lime, and insecticides. Human labor costs, particularly for harvesting and gher supervision, and post-larvae costs are major components. Efficient management of these costs is crucial for profitability. For example, optimizing feed usage and sourcing cost-effective post-larvae can significantly improve the bottom line. The cost of lime ensures that the water quality is maintained which can have impact on the overall production yield.

Besides variable costs, what fixed costs should one consider when starting a freshwater prawn farm, and how can they be minimized?

Fixed costs in freshwater prawn farming are those that remain constant regardless of the production level. These include land use costs, expenses for canal digging and boundary dams, guard shed costs, and the cost of nets and equipment. While these costs are generally fixed, some aspects can be managed. For example, sharing equipment among multiple farms or utilizing existing infrastructure can help minimize these expenses. Land use costs are the most significant fixed cost and should be carefully evaluated when considering the location of the farm.

How does the use of fertilizers and manure contribute to the sustainability of freshwater prawn farming?

Fertilizers like Urea and TSP, along with cow dung manure, are used in freshwater prawn farming to enhance the production of natural feed for the prawns. This reduces the reliance on supplementary feeds, which can be costly and may have environmental impacts if not sourced sustainably. By promoting natural feed production, farmers can reduce their environmental footprint and potentially improve the overall health and resilience of the prawn population. However, it is important to manage fertilizer and manure application carefully to avoid water quality issues.

What practical steps can freshwater prawn farmers in Bangladesh take to ensure their operations are sustainable and environmentally responsible?

To ensure sustainability in freshwater prawn farming, farmers should focus on several key areas. Implementing efficient water management practices, such as water recycling and minimizing water usage, can reduce environmental impact. Responsible sourcing of post-larvae and feed is also crucial. Additionally, proper waste management, including the treatment of effluent water, helps prevent pollution. Integrated farming practices, such as combining prawn farming with other agricultural activities, can further enhance sustainability and resource efficiency. Regular monitoring of water quality and adherence to best management practices are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and ensuring long-term viability.