ARF-3 Final factsheet: Bangladesh mangrove
“In Bangladesh, polders have been constructed to boost rice production, but subsequent saline water logging compelled farmers to replace rice with shrimp. Thereby, more areas were appropriated for shrimp farming with inevitable consequences on mangroves and coastal ecosystem. The overarching goal of the Mangrove-Polder project was to restore resilient livelihoods through integrated mangrove-shrimp farming, thereby contributing to food security and ecosystem services in the context of poverty, delta dynamics and climate change in Bangladesh. To this end, the project has been piloting two silvo-aquaculture models: planted mangroves along the dikes of redesigned shrimp ponds and primary canals in two southwest coastal districts Khaulna and Stakhira. Four mangrove species, namely, Sonneratia apetala, Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera sexangula and Heritieria fomes were selected based on consultations with farmers and experts. The nutrient and anti-nutrient profiles of these mangrove leaves were analysed while the effects of leaf leachates on shrimp survival and growth were studied under both controlled and natural conditions. An economic modelling with these and other farm related data are being analysed to showcase and develop a comprehensive business model for mangrove-shrimp farming. On successful completion, this building-with-nature approach is expected to positively impact food security and livelihoods of coastal shrimp farming communities.”
