Crab farming is gaining popularity in Cox’s Bazar coastal areas as it has become a profitable business to the farmers.
More than 5,000 fishing families in eight upazilas including Moheshkhali, Chokoria, Pekua and Teknaf live on crab cultivation instead of shrimp.
According to sources, farmers earn Tk 4,00000 by cultivating crabs on 1 hectare of land.
According to locals, crabs were always available in the district but people had little idea about how to cultivate them. But increased knowledge has meant that cultivating crabs has become a profitable business.
Sangkar Barua, a crab farmer, said, “A big crab is sold at Tk 80-Tk 120.”
A lot of foreign currencies could be earned through exporting the fish to Hong Kong, China and other countries, he said.
Farmer Aman Ullah started selling crabs in local markets by buying them from fishermen. At one stage, he became interested about cultivating crabs, and within two years, had made substantial profits.
Many unemployed youths go to him in order to learn the techniques of cultivating crabs.
Farmer Suvash said, “More than 500 farmers and 8000 people earn money by catching crabs and delivering them to farmhouses.”
Earlier, farmers used to hunt crabs. But, now they earn Tk 500- Tk 1100 per day through the cultivation.
A farmer of Teknaf upazila, Sohidullah said, “A team of 5-6 hunters catch crabs from rivers and sell them to local farmhouses.”
Cox’s Bazar District Fish Officer Ferdous Ahmed said; “If the farmers want help, they will get it.” “A report about the cultivation was sent to upazila fishery officer,” he said.
