Supply chain analysis of mud crab (Scylla serrata) in Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study has been under taken to examine supply chain of mud crab and to identify socio-economic characteristics of crab collectors. The study finds out that the main actors of mud crab in Bangladesh are collectors, faria, depot owners, suppliers, exporters, fatteners, local consumer, commission agents and dokandar. The marketing channel involved collector, fattener, depot owner, supplier and exporter. The wild collectors play an important role in the sense that they collect 63 per cent of the total crabs from Sundarban areas. Commission agents charged commission @ Tk. 2 per kg of crab The findings shows that respondents of Khulna were more educated that of Satkhira. 25% percent of the collectors had secondary education in Khulna while it was only 15% in Satkhira. The findings also shows that most of the crab collectors (60%) and (65%) in Khulna and Satkhira districts lived in mud walled with golpata shed respectively, whereas 5% of them lived in wooden walled with tin shed house both in Khulna and Satkhira districts. Most of the crab collectors were illiterate because in the early stage of life they are compelled to enter into different activities due to their poor economic condition.