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Fish Marketing System in the Chalan Beel Area in North-west Bangladesh

M.R. Ahashan
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

M.A. Sayeed
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

M. Nahiduzzaman
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

M. Sultana
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

D. Barman
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

M.A.R. Hossain
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study has been carried out in the Chalan beel, the largest natural depression in the North-West Bangladesh to identify threat, potentialities and scope of opportunities of current fish marketing system. Questionnaire interview and focus group discussion (FGD) were employed to gather information from fishermen, beparies, aratders/wholesalers, retailers, consumers and commission agents who were regulating the fish marketing channel collectively. A fluctuation of fish price was a regular phenomenon depending on supply and demand, species and quality. Among the most abundant fishes Wallago attu, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Chanda spp, Heteropneustes fossilis, and Mystus spp. showed significant (P<0.05) differences in price. For fish transportation, traders used both traditional and improved system and packaging materials with ice and fish ratio as 1:1 to 1:4 depending on fish species, season and distance. The fishers, beparies and retailers used local vehicle- Nosimon, Karimon, Van, Ricksha, train, truck and buses for transportation of fishes. The major constraints of fish marketing were higher transport cost, poor road, and lack of ice, exploitation of middlemen. If proper and adequate steps could be taken to improve marketing system then the fish business would be more profitable ensuring a better life and more sustainable livelihood for the stakeholders involved in Chalan beel fish marketing.

Keywords: Chalan beel, Marketing channel, Abundant fishes, Middlemen, Fish price fluctuation

Location: The Chalan beel

Start Date: 00-07-2008

End Date: 00-12-2008

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Market analysis

Objectives:

1. To know the marketing system (marketing channels, personnel involved in the marketing system, prices variation, transportation system, fish preservation method) of Chalan beel area.

Methodology:

The Chalan beel, under the present investigation is located between 24.35o to 24.70o North latitude and between 89.10o to 89.35o East longitudes. Historically the beel spreads over three upazilas (Sub-districts) of Rajshahi district (Paba, Bagmara and Mohonpur), three upazilas of Pabna district (Chatmohor, Vangura and Faridpur), four upazilas of Sirajganj district (Tarash, Ullapara, Raigonj and Shahjadpur), four upazilas of Natore district (Sadar, Singra, Gurudaspur and Baraigram), three upazilas of Naogaon district (Manda, Raninagar and Atrai) and one upazila of Bogra district (Nandigram). Now the area of the beel has been decreased due to criss-cross roads and dams’ construction in and around the Chalan beel. The present beel is confined to partial or total area of the upazila of Singra, Gurudaspur, Boraigram under Natore, Chatmohar, Bhangura, Faridpur under Pabna and Shahjadpur, Ullapara, Tarash and Raigong under Sirajgnj district. The study was conducted in two landing centres and two fish markets (Table 1) located in Chalan beel area under the districts of Sirajganj and Pabna. Data were collected during July to December, 2008 by monthly market survey from different stakeholders in the fish markets through a well structured pre-tested questionnaire. For this purpose, 3 aratdars, 2 fishermen and 2 commissioning agents in each study site per survey were randomly selected on the spot and focus group discussion (FGD) were made with 10 participants per batch. A total of 20 surveys and 16 FGDs (4 in each sites) were conducted in four different study sites. Emphasis on the fish species diversity and marketing channel, personnel involved in the total process, price, preservation and transportation facilities was given during data collection. After collecting the data, it was cross-checked with key informants such as, Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO), and relevant NGO workers. Data with locally used unit and percentages were manipulated for further analyses. Spreadsheets were compared with the notebook where data were collected at the first place. The analyses were done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 2(2): 47-51, 2008; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A fluctuation of fish price was a regular phenomenon depending on supply and demand, species and quality. Among the most abundant fishes Wallago attu, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Chanda spp, Heteropneustes fossilis, and Mystus spp. showed significant (P<0.05) differences in price. For fish transportation, traders used both traditional and improved system and packaging materials with ice and fish ratio as 1:1 to 1:4 depending on fish species, season and distance. The fishers, beparies and retailers used local vehicle- Nosimon, Karimon, Van, Ricksha, train, truck and buses for transportation of fishes. The major constraints of fish marketing were higher transport cost, poor road, and lack of ice, exploitation of middlemen. If proper and adequate steps could be taken to improve marketing system then the fish business would be more profitable ensuring a better life and more sustainable livelihood for the stakeholders involved in Chalan beel fish marketing.

Knowledge Management: Journal