The Impact of Cluster Farming Approach in Simplification of Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) Marketing Channel of Paikgachha Upazila

Abstract

A research study has been undertaken on shrimp marketing channel of Paikgachha upazila and its simplification process by cluster farming approach of WorldFish Center. The objectives of the study were to investigate the stakeholders involved in both existing shrimp marketing and simplified marketing channel and also determine the efficacy of cluster farming on good price and better raw materials quality. Study area possessed a complex marketing channel having at least eight stakeholders from production to processor namely, shrimp farmer; foria; local depots; large depots; aratdar, paikar; sub-agent; commission agents and exporter/processor thus flow of shrimps from gher to processors take about 20-30 hours that ultimately deteriorates the shrimp quality. This beset has been solved rather simplified through managing local depot works as partner NGO (PNGO) of WorldFish Center. The findings of the study revealed that the cluster farming approach simplified the marketing channel considerably than before. The farmers in the clusters received better price from their harvested shrimp without involvement of middlemen which resulted high quality of raw-materials with better price.

Keywords: WorldFish Center, PNGO, cluster farming, foria, aratdar, paikar