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

Dried Fish Marketing Activities and Livelihood Pattern of Dried Fish Producers of Chalan Beel Area at Tarash Upazila

Mst.Sonia Sharmin
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was conducted on dried fish marketing activities and livelihood pattern of dried fish producers of Tarash upazila under Sirajganj district from September 2011 to February 2012. In the study area, Seventeen fish species were identified for sun drying. Most of the raw fishes were collected from fish landing centers or directly from fishermen and transportation was done by non-mechanized van, rickshaw etc. Price of raw fish varied according to the species, size, availability and fixed by open bids. The rate of mixing of salt in the study area was found as 1 kg salt for 15 kg of fishes. To prevent infestation, they commonly used insecticide named ‘Finish’. In normal weather condition, the duration of drying was found to be varied from 3-7 days depending on the size and species of fishes. Jute sacks, plastic bags and sometimes bamboo baskets were used for packaging purposes. The annul production of dried fishes ranged from 55 to 150 MT in the study area. The highest price per kg dried fish was BDT 550- 650 for Batashi and Boal, whereas the lowest was found as BDT 80-300 for Punti. The net profit of dry fish producers was observed in an average of BDT 58466.67 per season in the study area. The marketing channel was little bit different from the existing marketing system. There were many constraints observed in dried fish marketing activities including lack of storage facilities, lack of capital and involvement of middlemen etc. The producers/processors rarely used DDT and Nogos type of chemicals or insecticides in their products to prevent insect infestation. The livelihood pattern of the dried fish producer was also investigated during the study. Most of the dried fish producers (65%) belonged to joint family and Muslims were the dominating (81%) religious group in the study area. Seventy three percent of dried fish producers were found illiterate and few of them were found up to SSC and HSC level. Most of the dried fish producers had kacha (83%) houses and rest had semi pucca and pucca houses in the study area. It was found that all of the families used tube-well for drinking and the entire dried fish producers used electricity in their house. In the study area, most of the dried fish producers (85%) used sanitary kacha latrine and rest used sanitary pucca latrine. From this study it was found that most of the dried fish producers improved their socio-economic condition through dried fish marketing activities. It was understood that dried fish marketing activities was a potential approach for their better livelihood.

Keywords: FISH MARKETING, LIVELIHOOD PATTERN, DRIED FISH PRODUCERS, CHALAN BEEL

Location: Tarash upazila, Sirajganj district

Start Date: 00-08-2011

End Date: 00-02-2012

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

• To investigate the present status of fish drying activities in the study area.
• To determine the existing dried fish marketing system.
• To know the problems associated with dried fish marketing activities.
• To know the livelihood pattern of the dried fish producers.

Methodology:

Selection of the study area: The study was conducted from September, 2011 to February, 2012 and primary data were collected from the dried fish producer/processors of Mohisluty Bazar and fish traders of Tarash upazila during this period. The selection of the area for this study was made on the basis of concentration of fish drying and processing centres. The other causes of choosing the study are as follows: • These areas were famous for supplying dried fish all over the country mainly Rangpur, Sayedpur. Mohisluti Bazaar of Tarash upazila were well known for fish drying in Sirajganj districts. • The largest dried fish market of Chalan beel area was situated at Tarash upazila. Target Groups: To examine the objectives of the study,the dried fish producer was selected as target groups.Dried fish producers are those who actively involved in fish drying activities in the study area.They usally collect fishes from the local landing centre or fishing from the nearby water resources. Dried Fish Processors: The people those are involved in dried fish processing are called dried fish processor. Two categories of workers can be distinguished within the processing industry; i.e. the owners of drying enterprises, who usually take dadan/loan from aratdars in Tarash and the laborers. The later also include female workers and childs. Bepari: A bepari is relatively large and professional trader who deals fish business. They bought dried fish from producers/processors and sell it to the wholesalers, retailers in wholesale market. Aratdar: A person who deals fish business, invest money for fishing, fish purchase and selling both in domestic and foreign markets. The aratdar is primarily commission agent who takes commission during transaction dried fish. Wholesaler: Wholesalers are those who buy fish from aratdar and sell fishes to retailers. Usually wholesalers buy fishes through open auction. Some whole sellers act as retailers also. Dried Fish Retailer: Retailers are those who buy fishes from wholesalers and sell them to ultimate consumers. The function of retailers is to procure supplies and display them in forms and at times which is convenient for consumer. Selection of the Sample and Sampling Technique: A total of 20 dried fish producers/processors were selected for questionnaire interviews in Tarash dried fish processing area. The questionnaire interviews were taken through simple random sampling method.It is mentioned that around 25 dried fish producers were involved in fish drying activities in the study area. Preparation of Survey Schedule: Preparation of interview schedule is of crucial importance in a survey. The draft interview schedules were prepared according to the objectives of the study. With this draft schedule, the researcher visited the study area and pre-tested those and after making necessary correction, modification and adjustment final schedule were developed. Two sets of survey schedules, one for dried fish producers and another for dried fish marketing activities were prepared in such a way that all the information satisfies the objectives. Data Collection: Primary data were collected by the researcher herself by means of face to face interview. Secondary data were collected from various sources viz., various books of DoF, BFDC etc. The dried fish producer/processors were interviewed at their processing centres whereas the traders were interviewed at the markets. Most of the respondents had no written documents regarding purchase, consumption, sales and other aspects of dried fish marketing. So the researcher had to rely on their memory only. For that reason, some elements of bias may be incorporated in the collected data. Questionnaire Interviews with Dried Fish Traders and Producers: For questionnaire survey, dried fish producers were selected through simple random sampling method. Interviews were conducted at the market centre during marketing time. Retailers took part in fish selling activities as a result there was a scope to observe the marketing activities. Cross-check Interviews with key Informants: Cross-check interviews were conducted with key informants such as president and secretary of Mohisluti dried fish market association. Problems Encountered During Data Collection: Some problems were faced during interview such as: • The researcher faced difficulties from the producer and intermediaries because they thought that the investigator could be an agent of the government authority and the intermediaries were afraid of losing their income through imposition of income tax. So they hesitated to answer the questions. • Retailers were busy in trading and unwilling to talk; they thought the researchers to be the government official of tax or other department and feared to talk. • Key informants of the markets were unwilling to talk and to take photographs. • Retailers were unwilling to sit for focus group discussions. Clarification of local terminologies and local units were obtained from key informants during cross check interviews. Data Processing and Analysis: After data collection the data were edited for analysis. In order to minimize error, data were collected in local units and later local units were converted into standard units and the data were transferred to the tabulation sheet. Later tabulated sheet transferred to computer. Cost and margin were calculated and presented in the form of tables and pie chart. Data were processed and finally analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Source of Information: MS Thesis, Roll No: 11 fish Aqua JJ-25M, Registration No: 33718 Session: 2006-2007, Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It was found that most of the dried fish producers improved their socio-economic condition through dried fish marketing activities. It was understood that dried fish marketing activities was a potential approach for their better livelihood.

Knowledge Management: Thesis