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A Study on Socio-economic Conditions of Agricultural Farmers Converted to Fish Farmers of Kumarghata Union of Muktagachha Upazila in Mymensingh District

MD. TOUHIDUR RAHMAN
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to determine the socio-economic impact on agricultural farmers converted to fish farmers of Kumarghata Union of Muktagachha Upazila in Mymensingh district. A total of thirty fish farmers were randomly selected from four villages (Satrashia, Garaikuti, Maltipur and Lechutola) of Kumarghata Union. Data were collected from February to April, 2014. Questionnaire survey method was followed to collect data from the sample farmers. From the survey it was found that all 30 fishermen were male. Large portions (34%) of fishermen were in the age group between 41 and 50. About 80% fishermen were found married. It was also found that 86% of the fishermen families lived in joint families and 57% family consist of 6 to 10 family members. All the fishermen families enjoyed electricity facilities and they did not have any arsenic problem in their drinking water source. Major portion of the fishermen community took their health service from the Upazila Health Complex. Moderate educational status were observed in the study area though 14% possessed no education, 20%, 22%, 14% and 9% were educated up to primary, SSC, HSC and higher education, respectively. Majority of the farmers (50%) used their own land for farming and 36% farmers possessed 201-500 decimals land. Only 7% fishermen borrowed loan from commercial bank/friends or relatives while 67% used their own money for culturing fish. Most of the fishermen (67%) were lived in semi-pacca houses and used semi-pacca latrine. Only 8 fishermen (27%) had received training on fish culture. Majority of the fishermen sold their fishes to the arat in local market. Mainly Rui, Catla, Mrigel, Tilapia, Silver carp, Pangus, Shing, Magur and Koi were cultured in the study area. Average annual income varied from 30,000 to 4 lakh Tk. But income group between Tk. 1 lakh and 1, 99,000 was found dominant (40%). The study identified some problems and constrains in culturing fish in the study area. Almost every fisherman expressed that they were happy but not fully satisfied by culturing fish due to some obstacles. The problems might have mainly associated with economic, technical and social aspects, which should be solved for better production of pond fish and for the improvement of their livelihood.

Keywords: Socio-ecopnomic onditions, Fish famers, Muktagachha upazilz

Location: Muktagachha Upazila, Mymensingh district

Start Date: 00-02-2014

End Date: 00-04-2014

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To identify the socio-economic characteristics of fish farmers,
To determine the major factors affecting the livelihood of farmers,
To suggest some policy guidelines for the development of modern fish farming in the area as well as the socio-economic conditions of the converted fish farmers.

Methodology:

Selection and description of the study area: After the establishment of some agricultural organization such as BAU, BFRI, BINA etc in Mymensingh District, which are contributing to the development of agricultural sectors including fish culture in this region from the last few decades. People of all classes and ages are aware of agriculture system and taken agriculture as their main occupation in this developing area knowing the economic benefit of fish culture than any other farming like agriculture/horticulture/poultry. Now people of Kumarghata Union are mobilizing their resources into fish culture and it reaches in to a high level of fish culture area in the Mymensingh region. Muktagachha Upazila is known as a major fish culturing area in Mymensingh District and has huge resources for fish culture. Kumarghata Union is one of the developed fish culturing area in Muktagachha Upazila. From the last few years fish culture was rapidly developed in this area because of high demand and profit. As a result, people were involving in fish culture by converting their lands into fish ponds. The study was conducted at Kumarghata Union under Muktagachha Upazila in Mymensingh District during February to April, 2014 by using survey method. Thirty fishermen of the area were interviewed during the survey. The study was carried out in four villages under Kumarghata Union. The villages are Satrashia, Garaikuti, Maltipur and Lechutola. Nearly 200 fishermen are living in those villages. This area was chosen to carry out the socio-economic conditions of fishermen. The fishermen were selected randomly from the area. Field survey and observation: For collecting data on various aspects of socio-economic conditions of fish farmers, field survey was conducted in the Kumarghata Union under Muktagachha Upazila in Mymensingh District. Thirty fish farmers were randomly selected and personal interview were applied with different degree of effectiveness by using a structured questionnaire. Questionnaire survey: To collect data on socio-economic conditions of the selected area, questionnaire preparation is very important. The draft questionnaire was developed keeping in view the specific objectives of the study and was developed it further later by conducting interview on a pilot basis to prepare the final questionnaire. Collection of data: Data were collected by using two methods: (a) Questionnaire survey and (b) Physical observation. Data were collected by personal interviews through questionnaire. Thirty fishermen were selected through random sampling. The collected data were also crosschecked by collecting data from the NGO’s working in that area and govt. officials. Data related to socio-economic condition such as sex, age group, religion, electricity facilities, family members, family type, funding source, drinking water source, educational status, marital status, health facilities, culture species and types, annual income and expenditure, annual production etc were collected. Primary data source: The primary data were assembled through field survey at the village level by using a well structured questionnaire. Data were collected both by physically observation and interview with fishermen at home, field, fishing place and market place. Secondary data source: Further relevant information on socio-economic conditions of fishermen was collected from books, thesis paper, journals, Govt. and non Govt. organizations and internet. Photograph collection: Photograph of different people and place were taken with the help of a digital camera whenever it seems necessary to describe the socio-economic status of the fish farmers in Kumarghata Union, under Muktagachha Upazilla in Mymensingh District. Data analysis: Collected information obtained from the survey was accumulated, grouped and interpreted according to the objectives as well as parameters studied. Some data contained numeric and some contained narrative facts. The collected data were then edited; summarized and graphical representations were made.

Source of Information: MS Thesis, Examination Roll No: 13 Fish Aqua. JJ 38 M, Registration No. 35725, Session: 2008-2009, Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the survey it was found that all 30 fishermen were male. Large portions (34%) of fishermen were in the age group between 41 and 50. About 80% fishermen were found married. It was also found that 86% of the fishermen families lived in joint families and 57% family consist of 6 to 10 family members. All the fishermen families enjoyed electricity facilities and they did not have any arsenic problem in their drinking water source. Major portion of the fishermen community took their health service from the Upazila Health Complex. Moderate educational status were observed in the study area though 14% possessed no education, 20%, 22%, 14% and 9% were educated up to primary, SSC, HSC and higher education, respectively. Majority of the farmers (50%) used their own land for farming and 36% farmers possessed 201-500 decimals land. Only 7% fishermen borrowed loan from commercial bank/friends or relatives while 67% used their own money for culturing fish. Most of the fishermen (67%) were lived in semi-pacca houses and used semi-pacca latrine. Only 8 fishermen (27%) had received training on fish culture. Majority of the fishermen sold their fishes to the arat in local market. Mainly Rui, Catla, Mrigel, Tilapia, Silver carp, Pangus, Shing, Magur and Koi were cultured in the study area. Average annual income varied from 30,000 to 4 lakh Tk. But income group between Tk. 1 lakh and 1, 99,000 was found dominant (40%). The study identified some problems and constrains in culturing fish in the study area. Almost every fisherman expressed that they were happy but not fully satisfied by culturing fish due to some obstacles. The problems might have mainly associated with economic, technical and social aspects, which should be solved for better production of pond fish and for the improvement of their livelihood.

Knowledge Management: Thesis