Publication Abstract

Shrimp farming in Bangladesh is of considerable economic significance, serving as a major source of export revenue and employment. It substantially contributes to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people, particularly those in coastal regions. Bangladesh's shrimp  farming zone is highly vulnerable to natural disasters like cyclones due to its geographical location. This study aimed to investigate the impact of cyclone Sitrang on shrimp farming in Shyamnagar (a sub-district of Satkhira district of southwest Bangladesh and the epicenter of Sitrang), focusing on 58 farms directly affected by cyclone Sitrang, conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. The survey used a structured questionnaire to evaluate the demographic, economic, and environmental impacts of Cyclone Sitrang on shrimp production and the local farming community. Our research findings revealed that cyclone Sitrang  notably diminished profitability in both primary species (Penaeus monodon) and co-cultured secondary species, primarily due to disruptions in local supply chains and transportation networks. These challenges have further intensified inequalities within the supply chain. In the aftermath of cyclone Sitrang, storm surges, and subsequent flooding have exacerbated infrastructural damage in shrimp farms. To address this issue, shrimp farms of various sizes have significantly increased their seasonal employment while maintaining their permanent staffing levels. This has resulted in a notable rise in the number of seasonal workers: small farms by 352%, medium farms by 227%, and large farms by 556%, leading to an overall average increase of 396%.  .  [M(1] . From a financial perspective, cyclone Sitrang impacted both non-fixed costs and net income for small, medium, and large farms in the post-disaster period. These financial challenges were highlighted by a slight increase in fixed costs, which further affected profitability. Net incomes decreased significantly after Sitrang, reflecting reduced farm revenues. The benefit-cost ratio declined significantly across all farm scales, indicating reduced efficiency in shrimp farming investments following Cyclone Sitrang. Additionally, farmers reported numerous health issues among shrimp (e.g., white spots, yellow discoloration, shell problems) likely worsened by Sitrang, further impacting farm operations and financial outcomes.

Neaz A. Hasan, Md. Salah Uddin, Morena Santi*,  Hossain Biswas, Apurbo Bhowmick, Md. Zahid Hasan, Abul Bashar, Pranta Saha,  Md. Mehedi Alam,  Mohammad Mahfujul Haque