AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525, doi:10.5251/abjna.2016.7.3.134.139 © 2016, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/ABJNA Pond Farming and Livelihood Status of Fish Farmers in Subarnachar, Noakhali, Bangladesh Md. Golam Sarwer1,*, Md. Yusuf Ali1, Shuva Bhowmik2, Md. Asadujjaman3 and Mst. S. Sharmin1 1Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 2Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 3Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh *Corresponding author: Md. Golam Sarwer, Mobile: +8801712729011 and E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT The present study was conducted in Subarnachar upazila under Noakhali district of Bangladesh to know the livelihood status of fish farmers with emphasis on pond fish culture. The survey was conducted on 50 fish farmers from April to November 2011. Data were collected through personal visit and questionnaire interview. Secondary data was collected from Upazilla Fisheries Officer. Pond size of the area was 0.24 ha where 64% of the farm operators having ponds of single ownership, 32% having ponds of multi-ownership and 4% having of lease ponds. Percentages of small, medium, large and very large ponds were 26, 38, 28 and 8 respectively, whereas 48% of the ponds were seasonal and 52% are perennial. Polyculture of Indian major carps and exotic carps have been practiced by most of the farmers. Average stocking density was 14,171 fry/ha and the average annual yield of fish was found to be 2,233.18 kg/ha. The average fish production cost was BDT 54,309.6/ha/yr. The average return and net profit were BDT 156,322.6 and BDT 102,013 successively. Although the living condition of the rural fish farmers were poor, livelihood status was found positive and 94% of the farmers have improved their status through fish farming. In the study areas the highest percentage (34%) of fish farmers earned BDT 75,000-100,000 per year. Among the fish farmers 15% was illiterate whereas 19, 31, 14, 12 and 9 percent were educated up to primary, secondary and higher secondary and bachelor level, respectively. In the present study it was found that 42%, 22%, 18%, 8% and 10% of the respondents were related to agriculture, business, service, day labour and fish culture as their principal occupation. Though, lack of adequate fund (48%), lack of technical knowledge (26%) and multi-ownership (12%) were reported as major constraints in study area. It is therefore pond culture is a potential approach for their better livelihood. Keywords: Constraints, fish farmers, health service, livelihood outcomes and livelihood status. INTRODUCTION about 3.69% of GDP and around 22.60% of the value addition in agricultural production in 2013-2014 (DoF, Livelihood comprises the capabilities, the assets 2015). (natural, physical, human, financial and social capital), the activities and the accesses to these Total pond area in Bangladesh estimated 305,025 (mediated by institutions and social relations) that hector (ha), of which 90.77 % is cultured, 7.82% is together determine the living gained by the individual culturable and 1.42 % is derelict. Total pond area in household. A livelihood is sustainable when it can Noakhali is 12,322 ha of which 9,857 ha is cultured, cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and 2,218 ha is culturable and 247 ha is derelict (BBS, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both 2011). Most of the freshwater pond fish farming now and in future, while not undermining the natural systems in of Bangladesh are either extensive or resource base (Chambers and Conway, 1992). Fish semi-intensive and in very few cases intensive. In provide 60% of the animal protein requirement of the semi intensive culture system ponds are stocked population. Fisheries account for 7% of the total mainly with Indian major carps and exotic carps, employment of the country. This sector contributes fertilizer (mainly cow dung, urea and TSP) is used Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2016, 7(3): 134-139 irregularly and supplemental feed consisting of Sundarbans was ranged from 20 to 70 years which rice-bran and oilcakes are given. In extensive more or less agreed with the present findings. method fishes are grown on natural feeds and Education: Education has positive effect on farm feeds and fertilizer are rarely used if used then also productivity. In the present study six categories in small quantity and or irregular basis. Ponds are were used to determine the level of education. normally rained. The stocked fish are not These categories have no education, primary (up specifically selected, predator are not eliminated to 5 class), secondary (6 to 10 class), SSC, HSC and are not fertilized or managed through-out the and bachelor levels. Out of 50 fish farmers, 15% production cycle. In general fish culture in had no education, 19% has primary level (up to 5 Bangladesh is characterized by the use of both class), 31% has secondary level (6 to 10 class), extensive and semi-intensive systems. 14% has SSC level (10 class pass), 12% has HSC MATERIALS AND METHOD level and 9% has bachelor level of education. The reported literacy rate was found higher than the Study area selection and target group: national adult literacy level of 65% (BBS, 2002). Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali district was selected Zaman et al. (2006), found that 23.3% farmers were for the study, because; pond fish culture is heavily illiterate whereas 14.4%, 8.9% and 6.7% were concentrated in this area, various NGOs and DoF educated up to primary, secondary and higher have been working with fish farmers to increase fish secondary or above level respectively. On the production, well communication facilities, relatively contrary, Tasnoova et al. (2008), found that 60% homogenous physiographic condition and finally, Alternate-Rice-Fish farmers and 50% Rice-Cum-Fish suitable for researcher work in this area. Data were farmers were educated up to graduate and above collected during April to November 2011. About 50 level of education. Khan (1986), stated that the level samples were taken from Subarnachar upazila of education is a factor affecting utilization of pond for where every 10 samples were taken from 5 mouza. fish farming. Fish pond with different types of culture system, management practices and farmers age, number of Family type and member: For present study family member; religion status, income level, health families are classified into two types I) Nuclear facilities, sanitary facilities, get of technical family II) Joint family. In the study area 58% assistance, electricity facilities etc. were included in farmers lived with joint families and 42% lived with the sample. For data collection, a set of interview nuclear families (Table 1). Joint family was schedule was designed. Data were collected from the predominant in the study area which also fish farmers using questionnaire interviews, correspondents well with the findings of Ali et al. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools such as (2009), in Mymensingh district. The family size has Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Cross-check considerable influence on the income and interview with key informants. expenditure of the family. The average family size was estimated at 7.94 in a family which was very high Data Analysis: Data were processed and finally and similar to the findings of Rahman et al. (2012b). analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2007. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1: Family type of pond owners in the study Age distribution: In the present study, the pond fish area farmers were classified into six age group viz.,15 to Family type No. of farmer % of total 25 years, 26 to 35 years, 36 to 45 years, 46 to 55 Nuclear 21 42 years, 56 to 65 years and above 65 years. The Joint 29 58 highest numbers of farmers were within the ages 36 Total 50 100 to 45 years old at 24%. Followed by out of the total fish farmers were 22% belonged to 26 to35 years, Religious status: Religion plays a vital role in the 22% in 46 to 55 years, 12% in 56 to 65 years, 12% in social and cultural environment of people in a above 65 years and 6% in 15 to 25 years. Ali et al. given area. It acts as a notable constraint and (2009), found that most of the fish farmers (50%) modifies social pattern of people. In the study area, belonged to age group of 31 to 40 years in 86% of the pond owners were Muslim and 14% Mymensingh district. Bhaumik and Saha (1994), were Hindus (Table 2). reported that age structure of fishermen at 135 Agric. Biol. J. N. Am., 2016, 7(3): 134-139 Table 2: Religious status of fish farmers in the by the fish farmers in the study areas was higher than study area the national use of 35% (BBS, 2004). Religion No. of farmer % of total Table 5: Electricity facilities in the study area Muslims 43 86 Electricity facilities No. of % of total Hindus 7 14 farmer Others _ _ Yes 34 68 No 16 32 Total 50 100 Total 50 100 Distribution of land of the fish farmers: Average land area of pond owner had 2.21 hectare in Subarnachar upazila ata union where homestead Drinking water source: About fifty respondents, all area 0.53 ha, cultivated land 1.41 ha and pond were used tube-well as drinking water source. It area 0.27 ha (Table 3). Akter (2001), also found that indicates a positive sign for health facilities in the pond farmers had average land area of 1.63 ha. study area. About72 % pond owners had own tube- well (Table 6).