Crocodile Farming in Bangladesh and Prospects in Global Market

Sardana Islam Khan

In recent years, different donor agencies, World Bank and our government are trying to promote investment in agro-business sector. The Industrial Policy 2004 and 2005 identified Agro-base businesses as one of the thrust sectors in Bangladesh and offered special support for the sector. Only few young entrepreneurs have taken the opportunities offered by donor agencies and government to invest in unconventional livestock farming. Mushtaq Ahmed, the founder Managing Director of Reptiles Farm Limited is one of those rare individuals. His idea of commercial crocodile farming came as a shock in year 2004. But now his unconventional vision is a reality and attracting a lot of attention.

The only commercial crocodile farm in Bangladesh, Reptiles Farm Ltd. started with 75 breeding crocodiles imported from Malaysia in October 2006. This was originally a TK. 6o million project with some adjustments on the way. The farm bought 15 acres of land in Bhaluka and utilized about 6 acres for the existing crocodile project. The farm was able to breed 141 hatchlings this year. The juveniles are to be nurtured for another two years before they can be harvested for belly skin which is of high demand in the world market. This EEF (Equity and Enterprenureship Fund) funded project is expected to break even by year 2010/2011 and continue the business without any additional investment on import of new breeding crocodiles.

The farm needed permission from a number of local and international bodies and had to convince a special committee to get the partial funding from EEF. The company is registrared with Registrar of Joint Stock of Companies as private limited company and has a vision of expanding the business in other areas like snakes, butterflies and bees in future. The farm is the only CITES registered commercial captive breeding facility in entire SAARC region. The farm also wants to expand their activities in producing crocodile feed. The company currently has a functional lab to conduct relevant research. The farm has 15 full time employees and uses local unskilled labor force based on requirement. The farm had significant impact on the local economy and development and thus get optimum co-operation from the local people.

Along with many other challenges, the farm draws some unwanted crowd that can disturb the natural existence of the crocodiles. The farm is not encouraging visitors, specially during the mating and hatching season although many people would want to treat this unconventional setup as a good tourist spot. Mr. Mushtaq was very clear about his reservation to accept visitors at this moment.

In the world market the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) skin is the most valuable one because of its relatively small scale size and lack of osteoderms (small bones) in the belly scales. Total market size for the crocodile skin is approximately one billion dollars per annum. Reptiles Farm Ltd. has started with saltwater Crocodiles only, due to their high demand. In 1990, the world trade in quality Saltwater Crocodile skins was estimated to be about 150,000 per annum. It has increased substantially in recent years. Competition in the skin trade comes primarily from crocodiles and alligators produced in Papua New Guinea, Africa, Asia (Indonesia and Thailand) and North America. Under CITES regulations, all skins must be tagged giving details of country of origin, year of skinning and an individual number.
Crocodiles are valued primarily for their skins, being manufactured into designer products such as belts, shoes, boots, handbags, purses, wallets and briefcases. Skins are also manufactured into hatbands, wristbands, guitar straps, trophy skins, and other products. In addition, other body parts are manufactured for the tourist trade, and include heads, skulls, teeth, backscratchers, key tags, or entire taxidermically prepared animals. In addition to skins, crocodiles are farmed for their meat. Small but increasing quantities of crocodile meat are being produced for the domestic market. As the meat is produced for human consumption, like cattle and sheep, health and hygiene standards must be met. A single 1.5m crocodile gives about 6kg of meat; cuts include tail fillet, eye fillet, leg meat, body meat and jowls (jaw muscles). Crocodile meats are of high demand in Australia and some other European countries.
The journey of the Reptiles Farm Ltd. up to this point holds bitter sweet experiences for the exuberant young founder of the project. The Founder and a few devoted employees of the farm depicted their humble start and the painstaking process of learning through facing new challenges. The farm now has the expertise to assist potential new investors in this sector that can save them additional investment on foreign consultants and trainers. Mr. Mushtaq is the sole agent of Jongs Crocodile Farm, Malaysia, the only Company that can legally export the living crocodiles in this region and very much willing to help new investors expand this 100% export oriented industry in Bangladesh.