Lush green prawn farms in Bangladesh with golden prawns

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

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Reese Marlowe in Business & Economy May 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.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is Plateau waxy proso millet?

Plateau is a newly registered waxy proso millet cultivar. Its a special type of proso millet developed by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with collaborative efforts from the University of Wyoming, Colorado State University, and USDA-ARS. This cultivar is unique because of its amylose-free starch, which gives it distinct culinary and industrial applications compared to traditional proso millet. Its designed to thrive in challenging environments and offers a range of health benefits, making it a valuable grain for modern diets and sustainable agriculture.

2

Why is the absence of amylose important for Plateau?

The absence of amylose in Plateau waxy proso millet is highly significant because it affects the texture and digestibility of the grain. Amylose-free starch results in a unique texture that is ideal for various culinary applications, such as gluten-free baking and innovative snack foods. Moreover, this feature contributes to the adaptability of Plateau in different food products. This trait is a key factor that distinguishes Plateau from standard proso millet varieties and enables its versatile use in modern diets, meeting the growing demand for healthy and diverse food options.

3

How was Plateau developed?

The breeding of Plateau involved crossing Huntsman and PI 436626. Huntsman was selected for its high-yielding capacity and adaptation to the High Plains region, ensuring reliable production. PI 436626, a Chinese waxy accession, was chosen for its waxy starch characteristic, which is the absence of amylose. This crossbreeding aimed to combine Huntsmans adaptability and high yield with PI 436626s unique starch composition, resulting in a cultivar that thrives in challenging environments while offering superior culinary and industrial properties.

4

What are the main characteristics of Plateau?

The key features of Plateau waxy proso millet include its amylose-free starch, high yield potential, adaptability to the High Plains region, early maturation, and cream-colored hull. The amylose-free starch provides a unique texture and digestibility. Its high yield ensures reliable production, while its adaptability makes it suitable for challenging environments. Early maturation allows for use in short growing seasons. Finally, the cream-colored hull distinguishes it from other millet varieties. These traits collectively make Plateau an appealing option for both farmers and consumers, opening doors to innovative food and industrial applications.

5

How will Plateau waxy proso millet impact the future?

Plateau waxy proso millet is poised to transform the utilization of proso millet, especially as consumers increasingly seek healthy and gluten-free options. Its adaptability, high yield, and unique starch properties position it as a valuable crop for farmers and food manufacturers. Its amylose-free starch allows for unique textures, which opens doors to gluten-free baking and innovative snack foods. By embracing Plateau, theres the potential for enhanced nutrition, culinary innovation, and support for sustainable agriculture, meeting the evolving demands of modern food culture.

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