POND FISH CULTURE AND LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF FISH FARMERS OF PARBATIPUR UPAZILA IN DINAJPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to identify the socio-economic characteristics of the fish farmers, the existing pond fish culture system and problems associated with fish culture. Data were collected from 70 fish farmers of 14 villages under 5 unions in Parbatipur upazila under Dinajpur district during May 2016 to October 2016, through personal interview. The study revealed that, most of the fish farmers were belonged to the age group 31 to 40 years (44.29%) and represented 68.57% Muslims. Among the fish farmers 17.14%, 40%, 30% and 12.86% had primary, secondary, higher secondary and graduate level of education, respectively. Most of the family were nuclear which contained 64.29% and rest of them joint family (35.71%). Most of the people involved in agriculture (47.14%) for their main occupation and subsidiary involved fish farming (52.86%) as a secondary occupation. 45.71% of the fish farmers used semi-pacca sanitary, 40% used pacca sanitary while 14.29% used kancha sanitary. About 81.43% of the farmers had electricity facilities and 41.42% of the fish farmers received health service from village doctor’s. Among the fish farmers 8.57% received formal training for fish culture system. It was found that, 88.57% of the fish farmers used their own money for fish culture. The mean (±SE) pond size of the study area was 0.19±0.02 ha, where 16% ponds were seasonal and 84% ponds were perennial. The mean (±SE) stocking density was 23208.34±3176 fry, fingerling and over wintered fish seed ha-1, the use of organic fertilizer (mainly cowdung), urea and TSP used in the mean (±SE) were 8665.42±1265.45 kg ha-1 yr -1, 210.08±23.72 kg ha-1 yr -1 and 133.46±14.82 kg ha-1 yr -1 , respectively. For feeding purpose, rice-bran and mustard oil cake were used in the mean (±SE) 419.18±107.76 kg ha-1 yr -1 and 622.84±197.72 kg ha-1 yr -1, respectively. Various mega feed also used in the rate of mean (±SE) 410.28±118.63 kg ha-1 yr-1. The mean (±SE) production of fish was found to be 3243.30±384.25 kg ha-1 yr-1. Fish farmers were found to face various social, economic and technical problems, which were identified throughout the study period. It is therefore, essential to provide the necessary training facilities with institutional and organizational supports, credit facilities and extension services for sustainable fish production and livelihoods of rural fish farmers. Keywords: Fish farmers, Livelihood status, Pond fish culture