Bangladesh faces up to climate change
10 September 2008
Crabs help families claw out of poverty
Crab curry is a popular dish in Bangladesh. And as more and more land becomes
flooded by the rising sea-levels, crab cultivation is on the increase, ensuring
that a steady supply of the crustaceans is provided to markets all over the
country, as well as overseas.
In the south of the country, just across the river from the Sunderban forest,
land where rice paddy has been cultivated for centuries is now completely
flooded. But local farmers, such as Boloy Krishna Mondol, have refused to allow
their livelihoods to be washed away. As the sea-levels rose and flooded his
land, Boloy spotted a business opportunity.
"Before I started with the crabs," he says, "I used to work for only six months of the year
growing rice. The rest of the time I had to go to the jungle (the Sunderban
forest where the Bengal tigers live) for harvest and for collecting shrimps.
This was very risky as I could have been attacked by a tiger.
"About seven years ago it became clear that we couldn’t continue with our rice
paddy production. Paddy does not grow well in saline water, and lily flower
dies. During that period we could not manage our expenses – we were in economic
hardship."
But Boloy has no regrets about the loss of his paddy crops. Seven years on, he
has six ponds and is looking to expand the business further in the coming
months.
He now spends his days wading in the ponds checking the size of the crabs,
paying particular attention to their gills to ensure they are not suffering from
disease. Since he started the business, seven years ago, he has made 500,000
Taka profit (around $7,700) – a relative fortune in a country where 82% of
people survive on less than $2 per day.
Looking after crabs is hard work. They need a great deal of care and attention.
"Apart from my child, all other members of my family are engaged in crab
cultivation. First thing in the morning, we buy fish from the market for crab
food. They need food every day. We cut their food, wash it and process it with
salt. We give it to them at noon.
"We arrange to give the food during the tidal time as it helps reduce disease," Boloy
explains. "You need to give them enough food, otherwise the crabs will be weak
and you will not get a proper price for them."
Over the years, Boloy has employed other local workers whom he has trained up to
establish their own independent businesses.
"I've already helped many people get involved in this trade. If you cultivate
shrimps in one acre of land, then the net profit, after all expenses, could be
about 20,000 Taka ($300). But with crab cultivation, on the same amount of land,
the profit could be five times that," he says.
Boloy believes there should be more support from the Government to help others
who have lost their livelihoods diversify into crab cultivation.
"I think other people should be helped to get involved in this business. I think
I could be seen as an inspiration by others. Whatever I've achieved, whatever
improvement I've made to my life, it's all based on this business."
Links
- Bangladesh country profile
- How we fight poverty: Climate
- Degrees of separation: Poverty and climate change
