Baseline study for Income Generation of Entrepreneurs of Flood Plain Area through Prawn PL Production and Prawn Mixed Culture Extension titled value chain sub-project under PACE project.

The PACE project, jointly financed by PKSF and IFAD, aims to reduce poverty by promoting microenterprises. In Cumilla, a sub-project supports prawn farming through improved practices, addressing challenges like poor hatchery management, technical gaps, and inadequate infrastructure. The baseline study revealed that only 10% of farmers stocked prawn post-larvae (PL), with limited nursing (16%) and biosecurity measures (18%). Farmers used commercial feed (87%) but faced water quality and disease challenges. Prawn production averaged 7 kg per hectare, generating BDT 4,291 annually, while carp fish yielded higher returns.