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Role of Women in Pond Fish Farming and Fish Consumption Situation in a Selected Area of Bangladesh

Mohammad Ataur Rahman
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Jannatul Ferdous
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Zarin Tasnim
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In Bangladesh, aquaculture makes an important contribution to rural livelihoods for food security, nutrition security and cash income. Small-scale fisheries typically depend on men and women’s roles. The Bangladesh fisheries sector is seen as a male domain and the contribution of women is poorly recognized. This study is concerned with the contribution of rural women in different activities of pond fish farming, profitability of pond fish culture, fish consumption level of the sample households and problems and constraints in pond fish farming. For achieving these objectives, 60 women pond fish farmers were selected randomly from Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected personally from respondents through a sample survey with the help of a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Both tabular and econometric techniques were used to analyze the collected data. The major findings indicated that a total working hour in a season (six months) was 418 of an average 12 decimal pond sizes. Men contribute 62.68% (262 hours) and women contribute 37.32% (156 hours) of the total working hours in a season. The per hector/season production, gross return, gross margin and net return were Kg.18188, Tk. 1655108, Tk.740736 and Tk. 654202, respectively. Undiscounted benefit-cost ratio was found 1.65 in the study area. Average per capita fish consumption was 69.01 gm/day, which was higher than the nation average of 44.65 gm/person/day. The main problems faced by the respondents were high feed cost, disease, high labour demand, high cost of a pond excavation, etc. This research concludes that women play a significant role in pond fish farming and achieving household nutrition security. The government and policy makers should acknowledge the women’s contribution in different farming activities and make appropriate policy for women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh which will lead to achieve sustainable development goals.

Keywords: Fish consumption, Pond fish farming, Profitability, Small-scale fisheries, Women contribution

Location: Muktagaca upzila of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-01-2018

End Date: 00-06-2018

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

The specific objectives set the proposed research were to measure the contribution of rural women in different activities of pond fish farming, estimate the profitability of pond fish culture, measure the fish consumption level, and analyze problems and constraints in pond fish farming.

Methodology:

A sample of 60 female pond fish farmers was selected randomly from Muktagaca upzila of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected personally from respondents through a sample survey with the help of a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Focus group discussion and observation techniques were also used to get relevant information. The data and information were collected during the period from January to June 2018. Simple statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data. The fish consumption data of pond fish farming households of seven days were measured by the per person per day consumption level. For the calculation, family members are defined as one adult male and one adult female is 1:1, the child whose age is below 5 years considered as zero and 5 –10 years considered as half of an adult member. Apart from the profitability analysis, undiscounted benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated dividing per hectare gross return by gross cost.

Source of Information: Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science 4(2): 206-212 (2019)

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.26832/24566632.2019.0402012

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Women in rural Bangladesh have always been substantially involved in fish production. They are active partners of the socio-economic development of the country in general and the family in particular. By undertaking pond fisheries activities, women contributed to increase the family income considerably; ensured constant supply of much needed family nutrition; generated an opportunity for self-employment; uplifted their overall socio-economic condition and become more skilled. It contributes to some women’s expanding human and social capital in the form of self-identified increases in self-esteem, confidence, appreciation and respect from their husbands in relation to earning income. The substantial numbers of rural women were involved in different pond fish culture activities especially in feed preparation, feeding and fry releasing in the pond. Women were found in lesser extent in pond preparation, harvesting and marketing of fish. Almost all women farmers stated that the primary reason for involvement in fish farming due to more profitability. They were not followed the scientific methods of culture and stocking density. There were some problems in the study area in fish farming, Such as insufficient water, diseases, theft, high feed cost, etc. Most of the producer faces these problems. Beside those problems, repeated floods and natural disasters are believed to be main other fundamental problems of pond fish farming in Bangladesh. Therefore, the findings suggested that in order to increase area under culture fish as well as its more rapid expansion the above problems should be solved as far as possible.

Knowledge Management: Journal