PROFITABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF MUD CRAB FATTENING IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study explored the profitability and resource use efficiency of mud crab fattening in Bagerhat and Satkhira district of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from 150 randomly selected crab fatteners through farm level survey by using a suitable pre-tested questionnaire in February-March, 2018. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to satisfy the objectives. Per hectare variable cost and total cost of production were Tk. 364,900 and Tk. 518,861, respectively. The average gross return, gross margin, and net return were Tk. 894,374, Tk. 529,474 and Tk. 375,513 per hectare, respectively. Undiscounted BCR was 1.72. Human labour, crablets and feed costs were dominating factors of mud crab fattening but these inputs were still under-utilized. This crab fattening has significant impact on the livelihood of coastal people. Solving the problems like frequent diseases infestation, shortage of capital, lack of training and unavailability of improved crablets can enhance the productivity as well as efficiency.