Bhuter beel (wetland) is situated at Terkhada upazilla in Khulna district. Only five years ago, it was a vast land for cultivation of different types of crops in the dry season. But now there is no cultivation due to water logging. Fishing and collecting water lilies have become the main sources of income for the people in this area. Torikul Isalm (25) used to cultivate crops five years ago in this area, now he lives on fishing. Some people have got involved in bird hunting, as they failed to find suitable alternative jobs. Thousands of people in this waterlogged area have become unemployed as no initiative was taken by the government to address the problem. Local people are demanding immediate steps by the authorities to resolve the long-drawn issue of water logging. This story by Shaikh Mohiruddin/DrikNEWS, is based on the feedback of the affected people, Khulna, December 2011.
Rural Visual Journalism Network: Bhuter Beel from World Press Photo on Vimeo.
A quiet revolution is happening in the ponds of shrimp farmers in Bangladesh. Since 2012, commercial shrimp farmers have increased production by 21 percent to 280 kg per hectare, the result of following better management practices (BMP) and using virus-free shrimp seed. This is part of the USAID-funded Aquaculture and Income for Nutrition project, which has trained over 50,000 commercial farmers in BMP since 2012.
To help rural farmers access information about aquaculture, the USAID-funded Aquaculture for Income and Nutrition (AIN) project has trained fish feed and seed suppliers to become local service providers (LSP). Since 2015, over 1275 individuals have started operating as LSPs, by giving free training and consultations to local farmers in Bangladesh.
In poor households in Bangladesh, women participate in aquaculture much less than men. To increase women’s involvement, the USAID-funded Aquaculture for Income and Nutrition project has introduced gill nets, which enable women to quickly and easily harvest small fish from their household pond. This has helped increase households’ access to and consumption of fish.
The SAFETI technical team has identified that success in shrimp and prawn farming depends on success in managing diseases by applying science-based management practices. SAFETI has identified six key steps to reduce the risk of disease incidence, improve farming conditions and increase production, productivity and income. The 6 key steps are: Step-1: Increase pond depth to 3 – 5 feet and prepare a clean pond bottom Step-2: Disinfect the water and remove potential disease threats Step-3: Ensure appropriate biosecurity to prevent cross-contamination Step-4: Stock healthy shrimp seed (SPF or PCR tested PL) Step-5: Use good quality feed Step-6: Ensure good water quality and shrimp health This documentary is developed to help motive and train farmers to follow the 6 steps that SAFETI is recommending.
Thames4Bangladesh WaterAid Project Supported by Thames Water
Thames4Bangladesh WaterAid Project Supported by Thames Water
Thames4Bangladesh WaterAid Project Supported by Thames Water