EXISTING FISH CULTURE STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: IMPACT ON POTENTIAL PRODUCTION AND PROFITABILITY

Fish Culture Strategy and Management Practices

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the profitability of farm fish production with relation to management practices and disease control. A survey was carried out with a pretested questionnaire in six upazilas of Mymensingh district where 100 sample farms were randomly chosen. Farmers were interviewed for the study to know productivity and diseases throughout the 6-month data collection period. Multiple linear regression model was fitted, and benefit cost ratio was determined for farm fish production. The majority of respondents (42%) were middle-aged between the ages of 30-45 years and 24% had secondary education with 29% graduated/post graduated. Only 37% of the fish farmers were trained. For the removal of aquatic weeds and undesirable species, antibiotics and a variety of chemicals were used. Fertilization was done after fish stock with 200-350 g/decimal of urea and the same dose of TSP.  The majority of the farmers buy feed on an installation basis whereas 24% farmers could not use supplemental feeds for high-cost Farmers (82%) check the quality of water on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. Lime, amount of fertilizer, cost of chemicals/medicine and utility cost had a positive impact on the production of fish. Age and experience of farmers also had a positive impact on production, but they were not significant. The overall benefit-cost ratio for farm fish production in this study was 1.37. Mymensingh district has excellent prospects in fish production that may be enhanced by applying comprehensive post-stocking and health management. Fish production is cost-effective enterprises as indicated by the benefit-cost ratio and has great scope for the fishery sub sector for increasing employment prospects.