| dc.description.abstract | The fish farming systems and livelihoods of rural fish farmers in Golapgonj upazila under Sylhet
district was studied from July 2013 to December, 2013. A total of 100 fish farmers were
interviewed with a well-structured questionnaire. The survey reveals that average pond size was
0.14 ha with 81% of the farmers having ponds of single ownership and 19% having ponds of
multiple-ownership. Polyculture of Indian major carps and exotic carps has been practiced by most
of the farmers. In the study areas, 45% of the ponds were seasonal and 55% perennial. Fish
fingerlings were stocked from April to July and average stocking density was 19147
fingerlings/ha. The average use of organic fertilizer (mainly cow dung), urea and TSP were 2776
kg/ha, 264 kg/ha and 177 kg/ha, respectively. The average annual yield of fish was found to be
2100 kg/ha. The average fish production cost was Tk. 90,252/ha/yr. The gross income and net
profit were Tk. 1, 68,750 and Tk. 78,498/ha/yr respectively. It was found that the average cost
benefit-ratio was 1.86. Although the living condition of the rural fish farmers were moderate,
livelihood outcomes were found positive and 90% of the farmers have improved their socioeconomic
conditions
through
fish
farming.
10%
of
the
fish
farmers
could
not
improve
their
socioeconomic
condition significantly from their involvement in fish farming. The constraints for
sustainable pond fish farming in the areas were lack of technical knowledge of the farmers, disease
of fishes, insufficient water in dry season, higher production cost (mainly seeds and feed), insufficient
supply
of
fry
and fingerlings, lack of money, lack of manpower, iron in water, lack of
marketing facilities, theft of fish, lack of credit facilities and inadequate extension services. The
households have broadly improved their food consumption, family education, standards of living,
purchasing power, choice and economic ability through fish farming. 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. | en_US |
