The Ecoprawn project study both how Bangladeshi prawn farmers can mitigate climate change by reducing CO2 and methane gas emissions and how farmers can adapt to climate change induced salt intrusion. The option of reducing emissions through the introduction of “Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture” (IMTA)is studied and reduction techniques developed. Several types of aquatic organisms are co-cultivated and excess algal and plant growth is controlled by snails. Intrusion of saltwater into freshwater prawn ponds cause salinity stress and a higher susceptibility to diseases in prawns. Mitigation opportunities is developed applying probiotic bacteria that improve the immune system in prawns against common pathogens t increase resistance to diseases.
Research in the Ecoprawn project is conducted in collaboration between prawn farmers and universities in Bangladesh assisted by training at universities in Denmark. To ensure that prawn farmers and the prawn industry benefit economically from the project, economy at prawn farms and among actors in the value chain will be examined and related to outcome of the project. The results will continuously be disseminated to the private sector and public authorities through workshops, visits and interviews with farmers and companies in the value chain.
The research in the project is conducted by eight PhD students enrolled at Bangladesh Agricultural University and Patuakhali Science and Technical University. The project is funded by Danish Development Aid and runs for more than four years.