FISH FARMING SYSTEM AND LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF FISH FARMERS IN SYLHET DISTRICT

Abstract

A study was carried out in Sylhet district from July 2013 to December 2013 where 60 farmers were interviewed on their farm site to identify the existing fish farming systems and livelihood status. The farmers were interviewed with a questionnaire and the data were analyzed using a statistical method following SPSS. Three type of farming viz. extensive, semi-intensive, integrated were observed and the average pond size was 0.10±0.05 ha, 0.24±0.21 ha and 0.17±.16 ha respectively. Carp polyculture and tilapia monoculture was dominated and the density of carp polyculture and tilapia monoculture was 4680.65±1189.91, 9022.76±1695.86, 7564.38±1805.80 no./ha/year and 38461.43±5855.02, 58971.25±5513.22, 57221.67±4532.07 no./ha/year in extensive, semi-intensive and integrated farming respectively. Extensive farming depends mainly on natural feed and irregular supply of different artificial feed. Semi-intensive and integrated farmers used commercial feed and the amount of feed for carp and tilapia were 3482.70±374.19 2733.47±643.19 and 12600.08±1540.18, 10133.18±1844.74 kg/ha/year in semi-intensive and integrated farming respectively. Fertilization of ponds were done by farmers in all system. The yield varied from different farming systems having highest in semi-intensive carp polyculture and tilapia monoculture and the production were 2406.59±399.17 and 11564.54±1856.56 kg/ha/year respectively. The feed cost occupied the highest position which was 351150 and 664000 BDT/ha/year in semi-intensive farming of carp and tilapia while the cost in integrated farming was 163800 and 405320 BDT/ha/year for carp and tilapia respectively. Different gross revenue were observed in different farming system as 181800 and 240000 BDT/ha/year in extensive, 744000 and 1156000 BDT/ha/year in semiintensive,

and 678000 and 866000 BDT/ha/year in integrated farming of carps and tilapia respectively. The benefit cost ratio was higher in semi-intensive (2.12) and integrated farming (2.14) of carp polyculture compared to tilapia monoculture in semi-intensive (1.74) and integrated farming (1.50). Five livelihood assets were considered to understand the livelihood condition. In all farming systems middle aged farmers were found highest percentage 58.3%. About 45% consisting above 6 family members and 30%, 25% consisting 2-3, 4-5 members respectively. The highest illiterate farmers (40%) were extensive farmers and lowest in semi-intensive and integrated farming at 15% each. About 36.67% of the respondents had tinshed house, 18.33% had kacha, 31.67% had half-building and only 13.33% had Building. On average 13.33% farmers were used pucka toilets while 20% semi-intensive farmers and 15% integrated farmers used pucka toilet treated as good sanitation. Use of tube well water of extensive farmers observed lowest 65%, while the semi-intensive and integrated farmers observed 90% each. The percentage of extensive, semi-intensive, integrated farmers got treatment from upazila health complex was 45%, 55%, 50% respectively. Main constraints were inadequate supply of quality fingerlings (26.67%), high production cost (21.67%) and the lower quality (18.33%) of feed. The livelihood outcomes found positive and 76.67 farmers viewed that they have improved their socio-economic conditions. Necessary training on scientific fish culture, establishment of hatchery by GOs and NGOs to ensure quality fingerlings and massive extension work can mitigate the problem related to fish culture in the study area.