AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK and FISHERIES
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Research in ISSN : P-2409-0603, E-2409-9325 AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK and FISHERIES An Open Access Peer Reviewed Journal Open Access Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Research Article Vol. 2, No. 3, December 2015: 517-528 POTENTIALITIES OF POND FISH FARMING IN KALIAKAIR UPAZILA UNDER GAZIPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH Md. Mahbubur Rahman1, Md. Nurunnabi Mondal1, Jannatun Shahin2, Jannatul Fatema3, and Mst. Kaniz Fatema4* 1Department of Fisheries Management, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh; 2Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh; 3Department of Agricultural Economics and 4Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh *Corresponding author: Mst. Kaniz Fatema; E-mail: [email protected] ARTICLE INFOABSTRACT Received Potentials and prospects of pond fish farming in improving aquaculture system in Kaliakair 28.11.2015 upazila under Gazipur district, Bangladesh were investigated. Data were collected from 60 selected fish farmers through questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Accepted during June to November, 2014. The research revealed that a highest number of pond fish 14.12.2015 farmers (61.67%) were out of training facilities and a good portion (23.33%) had no education. Pond water was found turbid seasonally (71.66%) and farmers did not exchange Online water during culture periods (66.67%). As a result water quality deteriorates day by day and 21.12.2015 depletion of oxygen occurs during pond farming. The average stocking density of fish was higher in the study area and the highest was found in monoculture of Climbing perch Key words (Anabas testudineus) (1200 individual/decimal) and lowest in carp polyculture system (195 Potentialities individual/decimal). Fish production was higher in Pangus monoculture system (17.89 Pond farming MT/ha/yr) and lower in Climbing perch monoculture system (10.78 MT/ha/yr), but profit was Prospect higher in Climbing perch monoculture produced 1318100 Tk./ha/yr and lower in Tilapia Monoculture monoculture 397886 Tk./ha/yr. Benefit Cost Ratio was higher in Climbing perch (2.32) and lower in Pangus culture (1.34). The problems faced by the fish farmers were broadly Polyculture categorized as financial, natural, technical and social. Therefore, necessary training facilities with institutional and organizational supports, credit facilities, extension services and awareness development are essential to improve aquaculture system as well as the fishers’ livelihoods in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur district. To cite this article: Rahman M M, M N Mondal, J Shahin, J Fatema and M K Fatema, 2015. Potentialities of pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila under Gazipur district, Bangladesh. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. 2 (3): 517-528. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License www.agroaid-bd.org/ralf, E-mail: [email protected] Rahman et. al Potentialities of pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila INTRODUCTION The inland fisheries of Bangladesh are one of the most productive resources in the world (Islam and Dewan, 1986). There are about a total of 13 Lac ponds in Bangladesh which covers about 3.05 Lac ha and 2400 km long rivers which covers about 10.32 Lac ha (DoF, 2010). In the year 1998-1999 the total fish production from pond culture system was only 4.99 Lac MT and it was increased 14.47 Lac MT in 2012-2013 year (DoF, 2014). To estimate total number of benefiting people from direct employment in aquaculture and for the improvement of cultural system and future planning, the information regarding present aquaculture practices at the grass root level is absolutely necessary. Survey method is an important necessary way to collect information from bottom level. The area of Kaliakair upazila has huge fisheries resources but its production was lower than other areas like Mymensingh, Narshingdi and even in the average annual fish production in Dhaka division. The river production in the area is decreasing day by day due to decreasing river area and development activities. On the other hand the population of the area was increased to change over time. Although there are huge future prospects of pond fish farming development and to improve livelihood of fish farmer in the area but the information on the said issue is very imperfect. From this point of view, the study was undertaken to determine the potentialities of pond fish farming specially discover the constraints associated with fish farming and the livelihood status of the fish farmers. Thus, the study was initiated with the following objectives: . Assessment and evaluation of the status and practices of existing pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila, . Exploration of the livelihood status and constrain of pond fish farming, and . Formulation of suggestion and recommendation for improvement and development of pond fish farming in the study area. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area and period The study was conducted for a period of six months from June, 2014 to November, 2014 in the Kaliakair upazila under Gazipur district of Bangladesh (Map 1). It is very close to the capital city of Dhaka. The site was selected because of the availability of aquatic resources, huge people involvement in fish farming practices, and lack of research activity in this area. Map 1. Showing the study area 518 Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 2, No. 3, December 2015: 517-528 Rahman et. al Potentialities of pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila Research design The design of the study is outlined below: Target group The people who have pond and culture fish were selected as respondents. Data were collected from 60 randomly selected fish farmers covering the selected study area (Figure 1). Most of the farmer culture fish as their primary choice to support their family and to improve their social condition. Design and test of questionnaire A set of questionnaire interview schedule was designed. The draft questionnaire was tested with 10 fish farmers in the study area. In the pilot survey, much attention was given to any new information which was not designed but was important and informative towards the objective. The questionnaire was changed, modified and rearranged according to the experience gathered in pre-testing of questionnaire. The final interview schedule was then developed in logical sequence so that fish farmers could answer systematically. Data were collected by direct interview using questionnaire and cross check interview. Fish farmers were interviewed at their house or farm sites and the information was recorded by the researcher himself. The data were collected through questionnaire interviews and FGD, and the cross check interviews were conducted with key informants such as Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO) and relevant NGO workers. Data processing and analysis All the collected data were summarized and scrutinized, and analyzed and recorded carefully. Finally the relevant tables were prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Data were presented mostly in the tabular form because it was simple in calculation and easy to understand. 519 Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 2, No. 3, December 2015: 517-528 Rahman et. al Potentialities of pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Demographic profile According to the census of Bangladesh population in 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 the total populations of the upazila were 165766, 232915, 267003 and 483308, respectively. This showed that the population of the area was increased in a dramatic rate. The total population in the census 1981 was 165766 that reached 483308 in 2011 census. The rate of increase of male population was higher than female population in every census. Fisheries resources Ponds, rivers, beels and ditches were found as water resources in the study area (Table 1). Most of the areas were related with fish culture and agriculture. Table 1. Fisheries resources in Kaliakair upazila Serial Resources Number/area 1 Total land area 314.14 sq.km 2 River 3 3 River area 2824 ha 4 Flood plain area 2833 ha 5 Pond 2852 6 Pond area 1017 ha 7 Fish farmer 2935 8 Fishermen 1514 9 Fish hatchery 1 10 Beel nursery 2311 11 Feed mill 4 12 Fish Suntuary 22 Source: Citizen Charter, Upazila Fisheries Office, Kaliakair, Gazipur River and its present status in Kaliakairupazila Three rivers name Turag, Bongsi and Gualia are flow through the Kaliakair upazila. The total river area of the upazila is gradually decreasing due to political and local tenant, continuous industrial development, construction of roads and highway, unplanned growth of living areas, building of market in the bank of river. In 2008, the total river area was 3234 ha but it decreased in 2015 and reached in 2824 ha. Fish production in the river is also decreasing. Therefore, to meet the demand and to supply necessary fish protein for the increasing people, it is urgently needed to develop the aquaculture system of the area. Socio-economic condition and livelihood status of pond fish farmer From the study it was found that about 41.67% monoculture farmers were middle age (36-45 years), 16.67% young and 5% old. The result of the study revealed that young and middle age farmers were more involved in monoculture farming, on the other hand middle and old age farmers involved in polyculture farming. Ali et al., (2008) studied on socio-economic condition of small farmer and reported that most of the farmers were belonged to the age category of 31 to 40 years. About100% monoculture farmer and 90.09% polyculture farmer was male that means that no females involved in monoculture fish farming systems. But if women can be involved in fish farming activities, they can utilize their leisure period simultaneously support farming activities and earn money. Zaman et al., (2006) studied on the assessment of livelihood status of fish farmers in some selected areas of Mohanpur upazila under Rajshahi district and found that 85% male and 15% female farmers were involved in pond fish farming activities.