Sheep Rearing- A Potential Livelihood Option in the Salinity Prone Coastal Area

Mr. Zakir Hossain (31yrs), from Boyershing, Biswas Para under Atulia UP of Shyamnagar Upazila of
Satkhira District is mainly a shrimp farmer by profession. But, he experienced sheep rearing as an
income generating options as well. Considering his prior experiences in sheep rearing, Practical Action,
Bangladesh provided him support with the option of sheep rearing under its Climate Change Project in
2011. He received five (5) sheep at the end of 2011, which, he was rearing in an 8x5 sheep-fold. By mid
of the next year 2012, the sheep gave birth to 5 kids. Thus, the total number increased to 10 in July
2012. He had to increase his sheep-fold to 12x5. Another sheep will give birth to kid soon. Mr. Hossain
possesses 15 decimals of land adjacent to his house, which, he was using for producing sama (a type of
local grass). The production of sama is very good in the monsoon season and also sufficient for his
sheep. Sometimes, he was to kura (waste from rice husking). Health of all his sheep was good. He did
vaccination and deworming to all his sheep 6 months back with support from the project staff and has a
plan to do it again in the coming year.

The area lacks sufficient employment opportunity since shrimp cultivation in gher is the only major and
dominant option there. But, most of the poor and marginal people dont own land for shrimp
cultivation. Salinity, being the major dominant feature, crops and vegetables, other than saline tolerant
variety, dont grow in the area. But, people are not well aware of saline tolerant crop and vegetable
variety, which is not that available in the area as well. So, sheep rearing, considering the climatic
variability context is considered to be an important adaptive livelihood option in the area for the poor,
marginal and the small holder households, although, there is lack of grazing land/fodder. Sheep is highly
salinity and temperature tolerant and eat almost everything (grass/plants, waste of agriculture, etc.).
Mr. Hossain plans to sell his sheep on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha (korbani) three months later. He
expects that each sheep will cost from Tk.1800-1900. The 5 young sheep will cost Tk.1500/each after
rearing of only 8/9 months from their birth.

As a potential option, rearing of sheep in the saline prone area by Mr. Hossain has encouraged others to
adopt the option. A number of 3 persons (1) Mr. Anis (3 sheep), Mr. Surat Biswas (4 sheep- 1 already
sold) and Mr. Abul Tarafder (7 sheep) have already started rearing of sheep in the area considering its
suitability in the salinity context and potential of income in the area.

Beside the value, earning from sheep-dung cant be understated. Mr. Hossain was using sheep-dung as
saar (compost) in the land for producing grass and vegetables and fuel for cooking. He planned to
expand cultivation of vegetable in the coming days, since he would have sufficient saar from sheep-
dung. He required 3 maunds (120 Kgs) of fire wood each month, which, earlier, he would collect from
trees on his homestead and around, and wouldnt have to purchase from market. Each maund of fire
wood has a market price of Tk.150/-. If, Mr. Hossain would have to purchase the fire wood, he would
have to spend Tk.450/monthly, that he is saving by using sheep-dung for cooking purpose.

From the discussions, it can be concluded that sheep rearing has become an important and potential
adaptive livelihood option in the increased salinity context for the poor, marginal and small farmers and
whoever interested. Beside market value, sheep-dung has high potential to be used as saar in the land
for producing crops and vegetables and as fire wood for cooking, whose, economic value is also
praiseworthy, and can contribute to employment creation and eradication of poverty of the poor and
marginal, specially, along with household based income generation for other as well.

By S. M. Alauddin, Manager (Research and Advocacy), Practical Action, Bangladesh