Locations
Sustainable aquaculture is gaining momentum in Bangladesh, with a focus on nature-based solutions. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Japan Fast Trade Limited (JFTL), has been leading the way in piloting the “Nature-Based Mud Crab Hatchery” initiative from 2021 to 2023. This initiative is designed to promote climate-resilient livelihoods in the Sundarbans catchment areas while reducing pressure on local biodiversity. UNDP’s Sida Global Programme on Environment and Climate Change along with the Local Government Initiatives on climate change (LoGIC) project worked on this initiative to enhance sustainable and climate adaptive livelihood practices in Southwest Bangladesh.
After piloting, community-based hands-on training sessions were conducted in Khulna and Satkhira for the UNDP beneficiaries and local crab farmers to strengthen their capacity in nature-based aquaculture practices. This UNDP and UNIMAS led initiative, contributed to the scientific community in the areas of “Natural Breeding Performance”, “Immune System” and “Water Quality Parameter” in relation to the mud crab.
To build on what was learned from this pilot, UNDP organized a Learning-Sharing Workshop on 18 February 2025 in Khulna. The event brought together experts from government agencies, research institutions, academia, think tanks, NGOs, and the private sector to explore ways to scale up sustainable crab aquaculture in Southwest Bangladesh.
UNDP Bangladesh hosts a workshop on sustainable mud crab hatchery and climate-resilient aquaculture.
Bridging Industry, Research, and Policy for Sustainable Growth
The workshop underscored the importance of industry-academia collaboration. Representatives from the fisheries sector highlighted the economic potential of crab aquaculture while stressing the need for policy reforms, scientific advancements, and improved stakeholder coordination.
Tareq Abdullah, Director of JFTL, emphasized the challenges posed by the five-month crab collection ban and urged UNDP to support policy advocacy for revising the ban period. “The industry needs stability, and flexibility in policies can drive sustainable growth,” he stated.
Dr. Md. Golam Sarower, Professor at Khulna University, called for improved coordination between the Forest Department and the Department of Fisheries to strengthen the industry’s foundation. Meanwhile, Md Latiful Islam, Principal Scientific Officer at BFRI, pointed out that crab breeding remains complex, with low survival rates. “More experimentation and research are required to enhance hatchery efficiency,” he noted.
Public-private collaboration was another key theme. Md Alfaz Uddin Sheikh, Deputy Director, FIQC, highlighted that despite rising exports, crab culture and nursing are still underdeveloped. “We need stronger partnerships between the government and private enterprises to scale up production,” he said.
Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead
Dr. Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University, emphasized the need for sustained research and long-term investment in the sector. “Flexible funding and continuous collaboration between government, academia, and industry are crucial to creating a thriving research environment,” he remarked.
Discussions also touched on practical challenges in hatchery establishment, including site selection, infrastructure support, and supply chain efficiency. Stakeholders stressed the need for research on mud crab feeding mechanisms to improve sustainability and production rates.
Sarder M. Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative at UNDP, reinforced UNDP’s commitment to climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods. “This workshop is not an endpoint but the beginning of new partnerships. We will continue working with key government and private organizations to drive sustainable solutions,” he said.
The recent workshop reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s mud crab industry holds significant economic potential but requires strong policy integration, investment in research, and multi-sector collaboration. As UNDP Bangladesh continues to push for sustainable aquaculture, the focus will be on translating discussions into action, ensuring that nature-based solutions contribute to sustainable economic growth, climate adaptation and community resilience.
