Swapan’s success in prawn farming

Swapan Kumar Biswas, a resident of Mahdebpur village in Jhenidah's Kaliganj upazila, has been success in prawn farming. He is a field assistant of the upazila fisheries office by profession.

Swapan said when he was posted in Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila in 1989/90, he got inspiration to cultivate prawn as the district contributes greatly to foreign exchange earnings from shrimp export. There are a number of prawn farms in Satkhira.

Last year, he set up a farm named Shohag Fishery Farm at his own village Mahdebpur where he dug a pond on 80 decimals of land and started prawn farming.

He released 3,200 prawn fry into the pond in February this year, said Swapan, adding that he has spent Tk 1.30 lakh for the farming till now. 

He started harvesting from the last week of November. He has already sold 130 kg of prawn. Per kg comprising six to seven prawns was sold for Tk 1000 to Tk 1100.

He added that he will be able to sell more 150 kg within the shortest possible time.

Swapan hopes that he can earn a profit of Tk 1.50 lakh by selling the rest prawns in his pond.

Young entrepreneurs from different areas in Jhenidah and other adjoining districts throng the pond when the men of Swapan catch the fish. They seek advice from him.

He further added that he will expand his farm in the next year as it is very profitable venture. The ponds on sandy land is very suitable for this farming.

A jobless youth, Setu Ghosh of Khedapara village in Kaliganj upazila, said hearing Swapan's success in prawn farming, he has recently visited the pond. Its farming is different from other fish farming.

Md Saidur Rahman, officer of Kaliganj upazila fisheries office, said sweet water prawn is more profitable than shrimp cultivation in saline water. Swapan Kumar has found success in the prawn farming.

Many people, especially local youths, are now following Swapan's footsteps, he said.

From now, they will practice this farming and encourage the locals for farming this variety, said the officer.