Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Nov 10, 2025 (BSS) – A total of 25 farmers from Khulna’s Dumuria upazila took part in an exposure visit on Monday to Keshabpur upazila of Jashore to gain hands-on experience in advanced traditional galda (freshwater prawn) farming methods and management practices.

The training was organized as part of Department of Fisheries’ Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project (SCMFP).

The key objective of the visit was to learn about improved farming systems, pond management, and business planning from successful galda farmers. The visiting team received a warm welcome from Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Sudip Biswas and his staff at KeshabpurUpazila Fisheries Office.

The team was led by Sohel Md. Zillur Rahman Rigan, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Dumuria and accompanied by Assistant Fisheries Officer K.M. Mohsin Alam, Marine Fisheries Officer Pronob Kumar Das, and field-level officials including Antima Goldar.

During the visit, the farmers toured the Gaurighona Shrimp Cluster-1 and the semi-intensive Galda project area in Keshabpur, recognized as a successful model for sustainable prawn cultivation. 

The farmers from both clusters engaged in interactive discussions, exchanging practical experiences, techniques, and management strategies.

Well-known farmers including Md. Shafiqul Islam, Md. Tuhin Sheikh, Md. Suman Sheikh, SaburMolla, Momtaz Begum, Asma Begum, and Aklima Begum shared insights on farming methods, cost-benefit analysis, risk management, market linkage, and future expansion plans.

The visiting farmers observed field-level operations, including netting demonstrations and pond inspections. 

They expressed satisfaction with the quality of production and rapid growth of prawns. 

Remarkably, the prawns reached an average weight of 25–30 grams in just 83 days, significantly higher than under conventional systems-resulting in higher productivity with reduced time and risk.

Khulna Divisional Director Md. Jahangir Alam, Keshabpur Senior Fisheries Officer Sudip Biswas, Dumuria Press Club General Secretary and Cluster President Sheikh Mahtab Hossain, Marine Fisheries Cluster Officer Md. Tarikul Islam, and several other officials and local farmers, among others, were present.

Speakers noted that replicating the Gaurighona model in other shrimp-producing regions, especially in Khulna, could potentially double or triple production, enhancing farmers’ income, creating rural employment, and boosting shrimp exports.

The participating farmers said the exposure visit gave them a clear understanding of modern galda farming technologies and management. 

They expressed interest in adopting male PL stocking, improved nursery management, biosecurity, and semi-intensive pond systems in their farms.

They also urged the Department of Fisheries to continue organizing similar training and exchange programmes in the future. Officials and participants agreed that such practical learning initiatives are vital for building a sustainable, commercially viable shrimp sector in Bangladesh.