Assessment of Livelihood Status of Shrimp Farmers: A Comparative Analysis During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the livelihood status of shrimp farmers during and after COVID-19 in tala upazila of Satkhira district from January to March 2024. Data were collected by using a well-structured questionnaire from 40 shrimp farmers. The study found that 32.5% of shrimp farmers were aged 31 to 40. Regarding education, 22.5% had only completed elementary school, while 37.5% had finished secondary school. The majority of shrimp farmers 62.5% were involved in agriculture. Presently, 60% of fish retailers were belong to small-sized families with 2 to 4 and 35% of 5to 6 members. However, in COVID-19, 62.5% shrimp farmer's families belong to small-sized, respectively. before covid-19 majority had live in kacha house which comprised 32.5%, after covid-19 had significantly increased 35%, respectively. It was shown that fish retailers had a fairly good level of sanitary conditions after covid-19. at present time, 22.5% of shrimp farmers earn less than 20000 bdt, 35% of shrimp farmers earn 50,001 to 100000 bdt from the shrimp farm; during the pandemic 40% of shrimp farmers earned less than 20000 bdt, 30% and 22.5% of shrimp farmers earned 20,000 to 50,000 BDT and 50,001 to 100000 BDT respectively. During COVID-19, 22.5% of shrimp farmers were supported by the government. the enhancement of their livelihood condition will lead to an improvement in the fishing sector.