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Assessment of Aquaculture as a Means of Sustainable Livelihood Development in Fulpur Upazila Under Mymensingh District

Md. Anwar Hossain Mondal
PhD Fellow
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202Bangladesh

Mr.Paresh Kumar Sarma
Scientific Officer
BAURES, Bangladesh Agricultural University,Mymensingh-2202Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted to identify how aquaculture assists in developing sustainable livelihood to the fish farming community in rural Bangladesh during the period from January to December, 2009. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), a conceptual framework that aims to ameliorate poverty was applied to understanding the role of aquaculture in the Mymensingh area of the North-central Bangladesh. The study used the SLA as a foundation or main basis of analytical tool to identify the means and ways to enhance the livelihood of fish farmers. The analysis reveals how fish farmers can achieve positive sustainable livelihood through access to a wide range of livelihood assets. Higher economic return (BDT 1,19,360/ha/year) and social benefits were found to be gained by the fish farming community through human capital development. Lack of operating capital, vulnerability and insufficient institutional support were identified as major constraints to long term sustainability.

Keywords: Sustainable livelihood approach, Aquaculture, Small indigenous species

Location: Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-01-2009

End Date: 00-12-2009

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

To identify how aquaculture assists in developing sustainable livelihood to the fish farming community in rural Bangladesh

Methodology:

A series of participatory, qualitative and quantitative methods was applied for primary data collection. Questionnaire interviews with fish farmers were preceded by preparation and testing of the questionnaire, use of statistical procedures to determine the sample size and sampling method, and the use of enumerators to fill the questionnaires. The pre-survey activities included reconnaissance for the pilot survey, revision of survey instruments and preparation of the sampling frame. Farmers were selected using stratified random sampling based on production systems such as, extensive, semi-intensive and intensive. Extensive farming typically employs slightly modified version of traditional methods called low-density and low-input systems. Semi-intensive operations employ intermediate levels of stocking and inputs. The intensive production system is characterized by relatively high stocking and high inputs (Shang and Tisdell, 1997; Shang et.al., 1998). A total of 150 farmers, 50 in each farming system, were interviewed at their houses and /or farm sites.The interviews, lasting about two hours focused on fish production system, productivity, farming constraints, production costs and return, livelihood assets of the respondents, vulnerability concern and livelihood outcomes. For this study the PRA tool- Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with farmers and associated groups such as, fry traders, fish traders, day laborers including women and children. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used to get an overview of particular issues such as existing fish farming systems, fish marketing and the socio-economic condition of fish farmers. A total of 25 FGD sessions were conducted where each group consisted of 8 to 12 persons and duration was approximately two hours. Data from questionnaire were coded and entered into a database system using Microsoft Excel software. A statistical method- Sustainable livelihood approach (SLA), SPSS was used to analyze the data, producing descriptive statistics.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 391–402, 2012, ISSN 1810-3030

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results show that intensive farmers have benefited the most and extensive farmers the least. While the potential benefits are great, high production costs, insufficient supply of fish fry, lack of aquaculture friendly credit support and inadequate technical assistance are constraints to the sustainability of fish farming. Moreover, poor livelihood assets, vulnerabilities and weak transforming structures and processes are identified as constraints for sustainable livelihoods of farmers and associated groups. It is therefore, necessary to provide institutional, organizational, and government support for sustainable fish farming. Input services also need strengthening. Although many SIS are self-recruiting species, the present dependency on wild fry limits further expansion of carp-SIS farming and puts pressure on the local environment. The availability of SIS fry has been declining due to destruction of their natural breeding grounds through human encroachment and environmental degradation. It is therefore necessary to explore the possibility of developing SIS hatcheries to reduce wild fry exploitation and increase wild production. In addition, the development of low-cost quality feed is essential to improve farmers’ profit margin. A cost effective research-extension-farmers linkage method is prime need which may not only be a relatively low cost method of increasing production but also a means of sustainable livelihood development.

Knowledge Management: Journal