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Economics of Mini Pond Based Agro-fishery System

A. S. M. Anwarul Huq
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

S. C. Dham
Senior Scientific Officer
OFRD, BARI, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.

M. R. Islam
Scientific Officer
OFRD, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

S. Rafiquzzaman
Scientific Officer
OFRD, BARI, Barisal, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted during the year 1993 to 1994 in Patuakhali to ascertain the profitability of crop cultivation as well as fish culture under mini pond based agro-fishery system. The study is based on data recorded from 12 replications, of the experiment. Although, for implementation of this system, a substantial amount of cash is required but farmers can earn higher amount of profit. The benefit cost ratio (2.28), net present worth (Tk. 35053) and internal rate of return (183%) indicate that crop cultivation and fish culture is highly profitable. But the major barrier towards successful launching of such project is the initial high cost for excavation of pond.

Keywords:

Location: Patuakhali district, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1993

End Date: 00-00-1994

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

The objectives of this study is to find out income generation, profitability and employment opportunity of the mini pond experiment.

Methodology:

Mini pond based agro-fishery system means integration of crop cultivation on pond bank and fish culture in water. The experiment on mini pond based agro-fishery system was initiated at farming system research site Lebukhali in Patuakhali during the year 1989-90 through excavation of three ponds. In 1993-94 more ponds (12) were dug out. The study is based on data recorded during the year 1993-1994 with the help of scientific assistant under the direct supervision of the researchers. The information was analyzed and presented in tabular form. A brief description of the research site and method is shown below for a better understanding. The ponds which formed a part and parcel of the study was dug out during January and February. It covered a land area of 360 sq. m.while the water area was 120 sq. m. The average depth of the pond ranged from 1.61 m during the non-monsoon seson to 3.02 m during the rainy season. To make the soil of the bank crest more suitable for supproting plants, sesbania seed were sown on the bank as well as on slopes after excavation of the pond. After an interval of 40-50 days, sesbania was incorporated into the crest soil. Different types of winter horticultural crops like red amaranths, spinach, cabbage, knolkhol, cauliflower, tomato, brinjal, radish, Indian spinach and lady's finger were grown on the bank of the pond. On the pond bank, 5-7 different crops were accommodated as sole, inter or relay crop during a year. Creeper vegetable (country bean, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, ribbed gourd, snake gourd and cucumber) were sown/planted on the edge of the pond bank and allowed to grow in the machan/support made over the pond. As the monsoon came to an end, seedlings of different vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol, tomato and brinjal were raised on the bank of the pond. Red amaranths was cultivated in relay with cabbage, knolkhol, cauliflower and brinjal. The cost for land preparation was included in red amaranths . Fish culture was done under four treatments each being replicated thrice. Treatment 1 composed of fish species like katla, ruhu, silver carp and common carp, treatment 2 was. made with ruhu, silver carp, grass carp and golda, treatment 3 comprised of only thaiputi and treatment 4 consisted of telapia. The performance of treatment 1 was better than that of the other. In this study, only the cost and return of treatment 1 is considered. In order to compute the benefit cost ratio, 12% discount rate was used in the study. However, in most developing countries it is assumed to be somwhere between 8 and 15 percent (Gittinger, 1977). While making the calculation, the cost and benefit stream was discounted, first, in order to find the present worth of costs and benefits. Dividing the present worth of the gross benefits with the present worth of the gross cost, the benefit cost ratio was computed. Net present worth is basically the present worth of the cash flow stream. Internal rate of return is the discount rate which makes the net present worth of the cash flow equal to zero. It represents the average earning power of the money used in the project over the project life. To determine the benefit cost ratio (BCR), net present worth (NPW) and internal rate of return (IRR), which are indicators of profitability, the following formula was used: Benefit cost ration (BCR) = (Present worth of gross benefits) / (Present worth of gross costs). Net present worth (NPW) = (Present worth of gross benefits) - (Present worth of gross costs).

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 20 (I) : 52-61, June 1995

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is apparent from the above discussion that mini pond based agro-fishery system is suitable for southern parts of Bangladesh. Banana (var. Sabri) was the most profitable crop and gave the highest gross margin (Tk. 945 per 10 plants). All other crops and fish culture were also found profitable. Although, under this method, a huge amount of cash is needed, farmers obtained higher amount of profit. Extension workers can, therefore, encourage farmers to cultivate crops and fish to increase the income of individual farmers. The results of the study also indicate that the higher return can be earned under mini pond based agro-fishery system than the returns under the existing practices. It is, therefore, recommended that the farmers should cultivate a portion of their farms through mini pond. Policy makers should pay immediate attention to encourage farmers to use mini pond for increasing vegetables and fish production in the southern part of Bangladesh. Mini pond based agro-fishery system of crop cultivation and fish culture is highly profitable for the locality. But major constraint is the initial cost for bed preparation. In order to overcome this constraint, it is necessary to provide credit with easy terms and conditions.

Knowledge Management: Journal