Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the Development of Fish Farming in Rural Bangladesh

Nesar Ahmed
Department of Fisheries Management, Faculty of Fisheries Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), a conceptual framework that aims to reduce poverty, is applied to understanding the role of fish farming in the Mymensingh area of north-central Bangladesh. The study used the SLA framework as an analytical tool to identify ways to advance the livelihoods of fish farmers. The analysis shows how, fish farmers can achieve sustainable livelihoods through access to a range of livelihood assets. Fish farming potentially provides higher economic returns and social benefits. However, lack of resources, vulnerability and poor institutional support are identified as constraints to long-term sustainability.

Keywords: Sustainable livelihoods, Fish, Farmers, Bangladesh

Location: Trishal sub-district, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-04-2006

End Date: 00-12-2006

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

1. To illustrate how the principles underlying the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) are applied to support the development of carp-SIS farming in rural Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Study area: The study was undertaken in Trishal sub-district of the Mymensingh district in north central Bangladesh. Trishal was selected for this study as it is an important area for fish farming due to the availability of fish fry, favourable resources and climatic conditions, such as the availability of ponds and low lying agricultural land, warm climate, fertile soil, and cheap and abundant labour. In addition, farmers in this area received training on fish farming with the help of Mymensingh Aquaculture Extension Project (MAEP), funded by Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA). As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in fish production over the last several years. Data collection methods: A combination of the following participatory, qualitative and quantitative methods was used for primary data collection. Data were collected for nine months from April to December 2006. i) Questionnaire interviews: 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 in 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 versions of traditional methods called low-density and low-input systems. Semi-intensive operations employ intermediate levels of stocking and other inputs. The intensive production system is characterised by relatively high stocking and high inputs. 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 systems, productivity, farming constraints, production costs and returns, livelihood assets of the respondents, vulnerability concerns and livelihood outcomes. ii) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): PRA is a group of methods to collect information in a participatory fashion from rural communities. The advantage of PRA over other methods is that it allows wider community participation, therefore the information collected is likely to be more accurate. For this study the PRA tool - Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with fish farmers and associated groups, such as fry traders, fish traders, day laborers including women and children. FGD was used to get an overview of particular issues such as existing fish farming systems, fish marketing and the socio-economic condition of farmers. A total of 25 FGD sessions were conducted where each group consisted of 6 to 12 persons (total 230) and duration was approximately two hours. iii) Cross-check interviews with key informants: A key informant is someone with special knowledge on a particular topic. Key informants are expected to be able to answer questions about the knowledge and behavior of others, and about the operations of the broader systems. Cross-check interviews were conducted with District and Sub-district Fisheries Officers, researchers, relevant non-government organisation (NGO) workers and project staff. Where information was found to be contradictory, further assessment was carried out. A total of 21 key informants were interviewed. Data analysis: Data from questionnaire interviews were coded and entered into a database system using Microsoft Excel software. A statistical method – SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) was used to analyse the data, producing descriptive statistics. Comparisons between different farming systems were made by ANOVA F-test and a 2-tailed P<0.05 indicated statistically significant differences. Economic analysis was conducted to determine production costs and returns from fish farming. The sustainable livelihoods framework was applied to analyse the qualitative and quantitative data.

Source of Information: Journal of International Farm Management Vol.4. No.4, 1-18- February 2009

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study shows that all farmers made a profit from fish production. The gross revenue, net return and BCR for the different farming systems are relatively sound from an economic perspective. The study confirmed that most farmers have improved their socio-economic conditions through fish production which plays an important role in increasing income, food production and employment opportunities. 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 credit facilities 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-generating species, the present reliance 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 farmer’s profit margins. The provision of low-interest credit would help to reduce the risks for small and marginal farmers. Farmers require credit at low interest rates from the government and national banks. This is particularly the case for extensive farmers so that they can shift from extensive to semi intensive farming systems. Better training and extension services would also help to improve profitability and reduce risks. Farmer training and extension activities are relatively low cost methods of increasing production efficiency

Knowledge Management: Journal