By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- Farming shrimp using mixed-culture methods often in ponds with carp fish is gaining popularity among farmers for profitability.

Farmers are making profits from prawns as within six months each fish become 120-125 grams, suitable to sell at a very good price in local markets.

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is actively promoting the expansion of the farming in freshwater by providing updated technologies and motivation to grassroots farmers.

DoF has established projection ponds and encouraged the use of modern farming methods as a lucrative venture.

Raju Sarder, a farmer of Dighipara village under Sadar Upazila in Naogaon district, has achieved unimaginable success from such culture. 

In June last, he collected 1,500 juveniles of shrimp and started the mixed farming with carps. He is now harvesting the prawns containing seven to eight in one kilo.

Talking to BSS, Raju Sardar said around 130 kilo of shrimps valued at Taka 1.20 lakh to 1.40 lakh will be produced from now on. Currently, the shrimp is being sold at Taka 800 to 1,000 per kilogram.

He also said scope of double-profit has been created from the same pond after adopting the mixed farming.

Being imbued with Raju’s success, local fish farmers Chapal Saha and Saiful Islam have started the farming.

Monirul Islam, another shrimp farmer of Kornoher village under Paba upazila in Rajshahi, said he collects post-larvae from the hatchery and many farmers collect juvenile shrimp from him. 

Farmer Shafiul Alam said commercial shrimp farming is gaining popularity with the breakthrough of introducing larvae and post-larvae production in Rajshahi.

There are enormous prospects of boosting farmers’ income, employment generation, poverty reduction and protein security through cherished expansion of shrimp farming in the region, Shafiul Alam added.
Earlier, the DoF had constructed a modern shrimp breeding hatchery at the compound of 3.29-hectare Fish Seed Multiplication Farm at a cost of around Tk 74.96 lakh.

The hatchery has been constructed aimed at making the farming more popular by resolve the existing spawn scarcity.

The state-owned breeding hatchery in Rajshahi has raised huge hopes for commercial freshwater shrimp farming by providing farmers with healthy hatchlings.

Last year, the state-owned hatchery successfully produced over 3.50 lakh post-larvae and distributed them to farmers in several areas across the Rajshahi division.
 
Faridul Islam, manager of Fish Seed Multiplication Farm, said they are producing post-larvae and larvae in the hatchery and supplying those among farmers for the last couple of years.
He said brine water was collected from the coastal belt in Cox’s Bazar in February last while 200 brood shrimps were collected in two phases from the Kocha River in Pirojpur district in April last. Subsequently, those were disinfected and nursed in brine water.

During the entire nursing period, bio-security is being maintained strictly as it’s very important for post-larvae production from the larval stage.
 
DoF Divisional Director Saifuddin Yeahia said the department is intended to expand shrimp farming in freshwater by providing updated technologies to grassroots farmers.

Demands of hatchlings and fingerlings will be met through the successful implementation of various need-based programmes.