Revitalizing Bangladesh's shrimp industry through policy interventions: An opinion on competitiveness and sustainability

The global shrimp industry is predicted to be more competitive with robust production growth, rising market demand and profit potential. However, Bangladesh's shrimp industry, including both black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is losing global competitiveness with very low-yields, disease prevalence, biosecurity concerns, policy inattention and production risks. Currently, Bangladesh's share in global shrimp production is only 3.7 %, though it has nearly a 10 % share of the global shrimp area. Unplanned expansion of low-yield extensive shrimp farming, salinity intrusion, poor management, policy delay, the poor capacity of shrimp farmers and poor infrastructure have pushed the billion-dollar industry into uncertainty. This opinion article critically explored the status, challenges and prospects of the dollar-earning shrimp industry. To revitalize the competitiveness of this export-oriented industry, sustainable intensification of shrimp farming with comprehensive land zoning, modern management practices, digital interventions, policy support and farming system modification is recommended.