Author(s): Hasneen Jahan, M Serajul Islam

Abstract: Live crab business has proven as a promising fisheries/aquaculture practice in Bangladesh. The present study was aimed to examine the economics of collecting and fattening of live crab (Scylla serrata) at Paikgachha upazila under Khulna district of southwest region of Bangladesh. A total of 50 crab farmers were randomly selected from Paikgachha upazila of which 20 were crab collectors and 30 were crab fatteners. The study determined costs, returns and profitability of mud crab production in respect of crab collection and fattening. However, for the male crab, 5 grades namely extra-extra-large (XXL), extra-large (XL), large (L), Medium (M) and small (SM) were observed, whereas 3 grades were observed for female crab namely F1, F2 and F3 both in descending order of live gross weight. The average size of crab farm was about 1 acre. The demand of live crab was higher in winter season (November-March) when the production and catch were relatively higher. The results from profitability analysis revealed that total cost and gross return of crab collecting in one season (Sept-Feb) were about Taka 277,197 and Tk. 416,706 respectively whereas in one culture period (Nov-Feb) of fattening, per acre total cost and gross return were Tk. 729,619 and Tk. 864,314 respectively. Net returns of crab collecting and crab fattening were Tk. 139,510 per season and 134,95 per acre respectively and there corresponding benefit cost ratio were about 1.5 and 1.18 respectively. The average benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of crab collecting (1.5) and crab fattening (1.18) revealed that there is a great business potentiality in mud crab collection and fattening. Considering the total export earnings from mud crabs, this sector shows future potential and for achieving this, development and support should come from government and different non-government organizations to improve the sustainability of this sector in Bangladesh.

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