Freshwater prawn widely known as golda chingri is being cultivated successfully in Naogaon. For the first time, Raju Sardar of Dighirpar village under Shailgachhi union started cultivating freshwater prawn in the district. He has long been involved in carp fish cultivation. However, limited profits from conventional farming pushed him to explore the potential for freshwater shrimp cultivation.
In June last year, Raju Sardar received 500 prawn fry from a local non-governmental organisation (NGO). Although many considered the initiative risky, he remained determined. On his own initiative, he also collected an additional 1,000 prawn fry and began integrated farming of freshwater prawn alongside carp fish.
He managed the pond in a planned way, ensuring regular monitoring of water quality, balanced feeding, and proper pond bottom maintenance. “Freshwater prawns are very sensitive. If water quality is not maintained properly, problems arise. That’s why I closely monitored everything,” he said.
Within a few months, the prawns showed rapid growth. Currently, 7 to 8 prawns weigh one kilogram, which is considered a highly satisfactory result for freshwater prawn farming.
Raju Sardar expects total production of 120 to 130 kilograms of freshwater prawn from his pond. With current market prices ranging from Tk800 to Tk1,000 per kilogram, the total market value could reach approximately Tk120,000 to Tk140,000. “By farming freshwater prawn alongside carp fish, I can earn double from the same pond. There was risk, but proper management made it possible,” he added.
Local farmers Chapal and Saiful said that they were previously sceptical about freshwater prawn farming. “We never imagined that freshwater prawn could be farmed so successfully in ponds. Seeing Raju Sardar’s success has encouraged us, and we have already started prawn farming ourselves,” one of them said.
Raju Sardar’s pond has now become a training centre. Farmers from nearby areas as well as different parts of the district come here every day to observe the farming system. So far, 30 to 40 farmers from various areas of Naogaon have shown interest and started freshwater prawn farming.
Shahariar Hossain, Fisheries Officer of Mousumi’s Agriculture Unit, said this success is not just an individual achievement but a story of potential. “If freshwater prawn farming spreads alongside carp fish farming in Naogaon, it will create employment, increase fish production, and boost the local economy. From a single pond, new dreams are being born, adding a new chapter to Naogaon’s fisheries sector,” he said.
With support from PKSF, many farmers have already begun prawn farming after witnessing Raju Sardar’s success, he added.
Dr Md Bayezid Alam, Senior Fisheries Officer of Naogaon Sadar Upazila, described the initiative as highly positive. “Integrated farming of carp fish and freshwater prawn can generate good income even in limited space. Raju Sardar’s success is an exemplary model for other farmers. We hope that local development organisation will take more such initiatives,” he said.
