Sachchida Nanda Dey, Ashashuni (Satkhira) 

 For years, the southern districts of Bangladesh have relied heavily on shrimp farming. But repeated disease outbreaks, rising production costs and volatile prices have pushed many farmers into losses. 

Now, they are turning to an alternative—crab farming—which is proving to be easier, less risky and more profitable.What was once a seasonal harvest from rivers and canals has gradually transformed into commercial farming. Farmers are now using abandoned shrimp enclosures and even small ponds near their homes to raise crabs.

 Within just four to six months, the crabs reach market size, offering farmers a quick return on investment.China, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are among the largest buyers of live crabs, which fetch far higher prices abroad than at home. 

At present, one“Shrimp farming was becoming impossible for me. Disease after disease pushed me into debt. Then I switched to crabs. The cost is low, the risk is minimal, and the income is steady,” said Ramesh Mondal, a farmer in Shyamnagar.With the export demand rising, crab farming is spreading across Satkhira’s Shyamnagar, Ashashuni, Debhata and Tala upazilas, as well as parts of Khulna and Bagerhat.One acre of crab farming typically requires an investment of Tk 50,000–60,000. In one season, farmers can earn Tk 2.5–3 lakh, leaving them with over Tk 1 lakh in profit.The sector is also creating jobs for thousands of men and women—farm management, feeding, harvesting, transport, processing and export all rely heavily on local labour. “The rural economy is slowly regaining its strength through crab farming,” said traders in Satkhira.Despite the promise, the industry faces hurdles.

 Most crab larvae still come from wild sources, leading to ecological concerns. Without commercial hatcheries, farmers remain dependent on nature. Storage and transport systems for live crabs are underdeveloped, while cyclones and tidal surges frequently damage coastal enclosures.“Even when the market is strong, we live under constant risk. One storm can wash away everything,” said Rafiqul Islam, a farmer in Ashashuni. “If the government invests in hatcheries and cold storage, this sector could grow much faster.”Experts believe that with proper training, quality feed, disease management and infrastructure, crab farming could become one of Bangladesh’s top export earners. They, however, stress the need for environmental balance, sustainable water use and conservation of natural habitats.For the farmers of the south, crabs have become more than a source of income. 

They represent a ray of hope—a chance to rebuild lives, create jobs and strengthen the economy. With the right policies, crab farming could well be the next big success story in Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector.