Adoption and impacts of improved mud crab fattening practices on the productivity and wellbeing of coastal farmers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Mud crab fattening was introduced in Bangladesh as an adaptation strategy to cope with salinity intrusion in coastal areas, but there is a dearth of studies related to the extent of adoption and farm-level impacts of improved mud crab fattening practices. The present study identifies the determinants of adoption of improved practices and assesses their impact on the productivity and wellbeing of farmers. The findings indicate that the level of improved mud crab fattening practices adoption was low. The decision to adopt was significantly influenced by age, education, access to credit, and ownership status, while the extent of adoption depends on training days, the extension contact, and access to credit. The adoption of more than two improved practices significantly increases productivity and improves the wellbeing of crab farmers. Adoption analysis suggests that more research and investment are required to improve the adoption level. Due to their role in raising incomes, there is scope to boost the role of crab fattening in anti-poverty programs.