The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Satkhira

Shrimp cultivators of the district incurred huge loss this year for low price of shrimp and virus attack in their enclosures.

In 2007, about 31,000 mts shrimp were produced in the district and Tk 1,400 crore was earned by exporting 23,000 mts, sources said.

The big portion of the export earnings came from 'Bagda' and 'Golda' shrimps export, district Fisheries Department sources said adding that the shrimp growers are not getting the fair price of their produced shrimp this year.

Cultivators said per kg shrimp of grade 20 to 24 is now selling at Tk 500 against Tk 700 of the pervious year while grade 30 to 40 at Tk 325 against Tk 500 of the pervious year. Besides, widespread virus attack in the shrimp enclosures caused huge loss to the shrimp cultivators.

District Shrimp Cultivators Association president Dr Aftabuzzaman said Shrimp cultivators are losing interest in cultivation as they are facing multifarious problems, including low price and virus attack, posing a threat to the second largest export earning sector of the country.

The association leaders held a press conference here Tuesday where they raised the problems of shrimp cultivators.

They also said that the shrimp cultivators are not getting the fair price in exporting shrimp due to the presence middlemen.

They sought government help so that the cultivators could export shrimp directly without the interference of the middlemen.