Inclusive shrimp value chain analysis in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh

Shrimp farming and related activities contribute significantly to the national economy of Bangladesh. Shrimp farmers and other people are involved in shrimp production, processing and marketing but the marginalised households have a very limited scope to be involved in shrimp value chains because of limited access to resources. Acquisition of command over coastal resources by rural elites and private entrepreneurs has created marginalisation of peasants, fishermen and workers. The present study was designed for inclusive shrimp value chain analysis in the Southern coastal region of Bangladesh emphasising the inclusion of marginalised households' in the chain. To attain this both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through survey, FGDs, in-depth interviews, observations and documents from Dakop, Rampal and Assasuni Upazilas of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, respectively. In total, a sample of 310 respondents, containing 60 marginalised households as focus group participants, 210 surveyed marginalised households, 30 private and 10 public stakeholders were randomly selected for the study. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and both of probit and multinomial logit models and thematic content analysis was employed for analysing qualitative data. It was found that about 46% of selected marginalised households were engaged in shrimp value chains and added some value in each node as wild shrimp fry catchers, labourers and to some extent small traders on an average 7 months. Their roles and functions were wild shrimp fry catching and trading, PL collection and trading, PL numerating, PL growing-out, shrimp trading, beheading, cleaning, icing and preserving. Promotion of value added shrimp products would also have positive impact on the employment of women. It was evident that experience and efficiency, physical fitness, technical knowledge and having equipment were the common conditions of involvement in shrimp value chains for marginalised households. In addition, shrimp fry numerators, wild shrimp fry catcher and trader, and shrimp trader (faria) should have access to market and required capital. Moreover, in addition to general conditions money, land, quality shrimp seed, equipment and inputs and willingness were the conditions to be involved as shrimp farmers. Binary probit and multinomial logit regression analyses revealed that among socioeconomic variables, monthly household income, family size and gender (male members) were significant and influenced households' participation in shrimp value chains. As no sampled marginalised household was engaged as shrimp farmers they showed their keen interest to become shrimp farmers. Both the participant and non-participant marginalised households reported some constraints to become shrimp farmers. After identification of the key constraints-root causes corresponding market based solutions were identified. The participant and non-participant marginalised households stated their own strategy that by forming group they could become shrimp farmers. The public and private stakeholders recommended 'push', 'pull' and 'blend' (push-pull) strategies for participation of marginalised households in shrimp value chains. Interventions targeting the marginalised people are needed for their entry into shrimp value chains. Marginalised households should form collectives/association/farmers club/self-help group for greater extent of participation in shrimp value chains.