40 March 2009 able in other sectors. Both casual day laboring opportunities and more secure contractual employment opportunities have increased, in particular for work as guards of ghers for a monthly wage. Most day laborers report experiencing real benefits from the higher wages and increased wage-earning opportunities brought about by gher expansion, suggesting active involvement about 310 days a year. Although wage rates fluctuate during the year with seasonal labor demand, wages in prawn farming areas appear to be double those in nearby rice producing areas. Socio-economic Benefits Integrated prawn production in gher systems infused unprecedented amounts of cash into the local economy. Clearly there have been visible qualitative and quantitative changes in the standard of living, food consumption and level of economic activity in the Fakirhat area. The main benefits from prawn farming were an increase in economic solvency and improved social status in the community. Before prawn farming, a large number of farmers lived below the poverty line and after converting their land to ghers, most of these households are now at least eating fish and rice. Many farmers have experienced dramatic improvement in their living standards because the land that they have converted into ghers was previously not utilized; lying so low that no crops could be grown. A few small farmers have managed to avoid high interest loans from moneylenders and increased cash income has provided the opportunity for more investment in productive resources. With a few exceptions they have hopes and expectations of achieving a much better life after a few more years of integrated prawn production. A range of associated groups has also benefited from this sector. Improvement of socio-economic conditions has occurred for all of the sectors discussed above. Snail shells are used for poultry feed, fishmeal and fertilizer and have generated employment opportunities. Additional employment opportunities also have been generated in ice and processing plants, feed manufacuring and in the transportation sector. The socio-economic conditions for day laborers are comparatively better than for postlarvae catchers and snail collectors because of higher income and greater employment opportunities. The socio-economic conditions of snail collectors are extremely poor because of meager income and the lack of other employment opportunities. The socio-economic conditions of prawn traders are the best because of higher income. Figure 3 shows the average daily income of farmers and associated groups. Conclusions The development of integrated prawn-fish-rice farming plays an important role in the economy of southwest Bangladesh, earning valuable foreign exchange and contributing to increased food production, diversifying the economy and increasing employment opportunities. Integrated prawn farming is now a profitable business. There has been a steady increase in the production of prawns, fish and rice by small and marginal farmers and integrated prawn farming promises to remain a growth sector for the economy. Considering Wild fry catching in the coastal area. Fry trading in local market. trading is seasonal and traders are involved in fish trading, postlarvae trading and other businesses during the rest of the year. Prawn traders belong largely to the middle class, as reflected in their access of capital. Intermediaries. A large number of rural poor are involved as intermediaries in postlarvae trading, snail trading and prawn trading. They work with small amounts of capital. They typically work from a boat, rickshaw or a cargo-carrying tricycle. In general, postlarvae traders sell to prawn farmers through intermediaries. Intermediaries often take temporary credit from fry traders, buying fry one day and paying the next day or the day after that. In prawn trading, they carry heads-on prawns from remote villages to the prawn traders in the market centers and sometimes take small amounts of credit from prawn traders to ensure the supply of prawns from farmers. They also often obtain temporary credit from the farmers, buying prawns one day and paying one or two days later. Day laborers. A large number of landless poor are involved as day laborers in this sector. Prawn farming day laborers are reported to have benefited from greater paid employment opportunities and higher wages than are avail-
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