IntroductionShrimp is one of the most delicious seafood items in theworld. By volume, almost half of shrimp caught from capturefishery and half produced from aquaculture. Worldwide,shrimp aquaculture is growing in different paces. Theexpansion of shrimp aquaculture is the result of industrialtransformation and declination of capture fishery. InBangladesh, shrimp aquaculture has become an importanteconomic sector. The involvement of national andmultinational investors and international donor agenciesplays a significant role in the development of the shrimpsector in Bangladesh. Shrimp aquaculture providesimmediate economic benefit and generates employmentacross seed collectors to exporters, which can effectivelycontribute to poverty reduction and food security. However,fast growing shrimp aquaculture has been facing socio-economic and environmental challenges in Bangladesh thathinder the sustainable development of this thriving sector. Asa consequence, organic shrimp aquaculture has beenintroduced in Southwest region of Bangladesh as analternative technique.

BROJO GOPAL PAUL & CHRISTIAN REINHARD VOGLWorking Group for Knowledge Systems and Innovations, Division of Organic Farming,Department for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, BOKU, Vienna, Austria. E-Mail: brojo.paul@boku.ac.at, christian.vogl@boku.ac.at

References (A complete list of references can be obtained by the Author)Deb, AK (1998) Fake blue revolution: environmental and socio-economic impacts of shrimp culture in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Ocean & Coastal Management 41: 63-88Primavera, JH (1997) Socio-economic impacts of shrimp culture. Aquaculture Research 28: 815-827Stonich SC, Bailey, C (2000) Resisting the blue revolution: Contending coalitions surrounding industrial shrimp farming. Human Organization 59: 23-36

Pathways towards organic shrimp aquaculture: Challenges, potentials and risks under a livelihood perspective

ObjectivesThe study aims• to explore the environmental and socio-economic impacts ofshrimp aquaculture through reviewing scientific articles• to investigate the factors hindering the sustainablity ofshrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh• to understand the potential causes for expansion of organicshrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh• to characterize farmers capital assets to cope with climaticshocks• to identify livelihood strategy of shrimp farmers• to understand the sustainability of shrimp farming comparingorganic and conventional practices.

Methods• Literature review• Focus group discussions• Semi-structured interviews• Transect walks• Seasonal calendar

Expected outcomeThe economic benefit of shrimp aquaculture is wellrecognized, but the cost of destruction is much higher.When the environmental and social challenges areconsidered, shrimp farming has neither improved livingstandards nor villager‘s welfare. The increased incidenceof negative impact on environmental and social issueshave generates huge research effort aimed at improvingthe long-term sustainability. Therefore, the adoption oforganic aquaculture technology is an alternative that canminimize environmental and social problems. The projectwill further explore the impact of conventional shrimpaquaculture practices on rural livelihoods in Bangladesh.The project will contribute to inspire organic shrimpaquaculture by identifying new evidences that promotesustainable household livelihoods. As organic farming issustainable so the project will assist policy makers tomake strategy and plan for development of organicshrimp aquaculture with conditions for food safety andtraceability of shrimp. Finally the project will help toachieve MDG 1 & 7.

AcknowledgementThe author thankful to IFÖL under DNAS at BOKU forproviding me opportunity to pursue research and gratefulto the OeAD for granting scholarship.

Photographs taken by Brojo Paul

Why organic?Organic aquaculture emerged with the aim of solvingenvironmental damages, safety and health hazard, andsocial problems faced by conventional farming. Itencourages the dramatic reduction of external inputs byprohibiting use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers,pesticides, pharmaceuticals and feed additives. It alsoencouages reliance on internal farm resources, usingnatural ecological processes to sustain agricultural yieldsand disease resistance. Organic farming is better for wildlife, soil, animal reproduction, fight against diseases,contain more nutrients, protect climates and safer.

Research questions• what is the impact of shrimp farming on the livelihoods offarmers?• why farmers are vulnerable to low socioeconomic situation?• what does the adoption of organic shrimp farming mean to afarm household?• why organic shrimp farming are expanding? Is organicshrimp farming sustainable?• what capital assets do organic farmers use to shrimpfarming? Is organic farming a livelihood strategy for shrimpfarmer?

Conceptual Framework (DFID, 1999)