PRESENT STATUS OF FISH FARMERS AND AQUACULTURE PRACTICES IN RANGPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The current study was conducted for a period of 12 months commencing from February, 2017 to January, 2018 in Rangpur district to assess the present status of aquaculture practices. Present status of farmers were assessed in terms of age, sex, marital status, household size, education, sources of information, experiences, training, availability of water, species preferences, feeding frequencies, annual incomes etc. The farmers’ age group of 36 to 40 years was the highest (27.5%) and 20 to 25 years was lowest (3.75%). About 91.25% of respondents were male where 8.75% were female in sex. Maximum (88.75%) farmers were married. Most of the farmers (61.25%) had 2 to 4 family members while very few farmers (10%) had 8 to 10 family members. Regarding the educational level 46.25% of farmers hold primary level of education, 11.25% were illiterate and only 6.26 % completed graduation. Majority (57.50 %) of respondents got fish culture information from friends and fellow farmers. Few farmers (2.5%) got their information from internet. Only 5% of farmers had no experience on fish farming. On the other hand 38.75% farmers had 6 to 10 years farming experiences. In the present study 83.75% ponds were of personal ownership and 16.25% ponds under lease. About 79% of the ponds contained water throughout the year and only 21% pond possess water for a period of 6 to 8 month of the year. In the survey it was found that 11.25% of fish farmers practice integrates aquaculture and 73.75 % of the farmers practiceed polyculture. Generally in the homestead aquaculture Indian Major Carps (IMCs) dominated. In the study areas 17.5% farmers collected fingerlings from government hatchery while 82.5 % of farmers collected from private hatchery and nursery. Study showed that 77.5% farmer used commercial feed and remaining 22.5% farmers used homemade feed. The feeding frequencies were 26.25, 65 and 8.75%, one, two and three times respectively in a day. It was observed that 40% of the farmers hadannual income level Tk.50000 or below. Income level of 26.25% farmers was between Tk. 50001 and 00000. About 23.75% of farmers had income from Tk. 100001 to 200000 and only 10% farmers had income above Tk. 200000. The main problems identified were irregular electricity supply 88.70%, high cost of fish feeds 88.50%, high price of input 78.60% and disease 77.80%.