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

Socioeconomic Aspects, Profitability, Problems and Prospects of Integrated Rice-fish Farming: Evidence from Dinajpur District in Bangladesh

Z. Ferdoushi
Professor
Fisheries Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

M.R. Hasan
Associate Professor
Economics, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

J. Roy
M.S. Student
Fisheries Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

A.S.M. Kibria
Professor
Aquaculture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Integration of rice and fish culture together not only mutually improves the production of rice and fish but also enhances food security of the people of Bangladesh. Although integrated rice-fish farming is still in its experimental stage, some agencies have come forward to promote its technology at farmer level. To promote the extension of integrated rice fish farming, this study is undertaken to identify the socioeconomic condition of the integrated rice fish farmers; to analyze the costs and benefits of integrated rice fish farming; and to assess the problems and suggests some policy guidelines of the integrated rice fish farming. Primary data were collected from Sadar Upazilla of Dinajpur district using a pre-tested questionnaire by following simple random sampling procedure. Mostly tabular and graphical analyses including profitability analyses were done to achieve the objectives of the study. Among the socioeconomic aspects, most of the respondents were middle aged (averaged 39.5 years), educated up to primary level, possessed a family of 2 members, and a house built in bricks with electricity connection. In terms of costs and returns analysis, total variable cost was Bangladeshi Tk. 76,725.5 while total fixed cost was Bangladeshi Tk. 45,400 per hectare per crop. Average gross return from rice-fish cultivation was Tk. 185,003 per hectare while net returns were Tk. 63,357.5 per hectare. These figures indicate positive profits of integrated rice-fish farming. The present study found several problems including lack of sufficient funds, lack of good quality seeds or fries, high price of input, low price of output, lack of scientific knowledge and technology, lack of extension services, problems of thefts and multiples ownership which acts as a barrier for rice-fish cultivation. To overcome the problems, the government should extend the supports by means of providing training, credit, and improving marketing facilities of the integrated rice-fish farmers.

Keywords: Socioeconomic aspects, Profitability, Rice-fish Farming, polyculture

Location: Sadar Upazila of Dinajpur district.

Start Date: 00-05-2015

End Date: 00-10-2015

Program Area: Farming System

Non-commodity: Profitability

Objectives:

1. To identify the socioeconomic condition of the integrated rice fish farmers;

2. To analyze the costs and benefits of integrated rice fish farming; and

3. To assess the problems and suggests some policy guidelines of the integrated rice fish farming.

Methodology:

Selection of the study area- Considering the availability of large number of integrated rice-fish farmers the present study was conducted in Sadar Upazila of Dinajpur district. Dinajpur district located at northern part of Bangladesh contributes largely to rice and fish production. Some selective parts of Dinajpur Sadar Upazila of Dinajpur district where most of the rice-cum-fish culture farms are located were selected for the purpose of the study. Survey design, sampling and collection of data- A draft interview schedule was prepared and was pre-tested by interviewing 8 farmers in the study area. After pre-testing, the interview schedule was corrected, modified and finalized as per necessary. In the study area 150 farmers were practiced integrated rice-fish culture system. A list of these farmers was prepared in consultation with the Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO), and then 50 of them were selected as sample by using simple random sampling procedure. Primary data were collected by face-to-face interview. Secondary data were also collected from various sources such as District Fisheries Officer, Upazila Fisheries Officer and NGO workers. During interview it was found that most of the respondents did not keep records regarding purchase, consumption, sales and other aspects of rice-fish culture. So, the researchers had to rely on their memories only. The survey was carried out for a period of six months from May to October 2015. Variables of interest and their measurement In this study several variables found important and collected information on age, educational qualification, family size, housing condition, annual income, farm size, and profit margin. The variables are measured as per the standard procedure used for measuring the variables. Data processing and analysis- After collection data were edited, coded, and entered into SPSS Version 20. Different descriptive and inferential analysis was done to interpret data. During data analysis qualitative data was converted into quantitative numbers. Scaling and indexing of the necessary and relevant variables to perform subsequent statistical analysis was also done for drawing inferences.

Source of Information: J. Innov. Dev. Strategy 12(1): 47-55 (December 2018)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This study is undertaken to identify the socioeconomic condition of the integrated rice fish farmers; to analyze the costs and benefits of integrated rice fish farming; and to assess the problems and suggests some policy guidelines of the integrated rice fish farming. The survey indicated that all of the farmers followed polyculture. The present study revealed that majority farmers were middle aged involved in rice-fish farming activities. The average family size was estimated about two persons per family. Educational level of all fish farmers was primary, secondary and SSC level. Only few farmers were self-educated. Better housing conditions of rice-fish farmers were found due to improvement of socioeconomic condition by rice-fish cultivation. The study showed that the majority farmer?s main income source was rice cultivation or rice-fish cultivation. In the study variable cost items include labor, fertilizers, seedlings, fry, lime, feed, irrigation etc. The study indicates higher variable cost due to increased market price of fish fry, fish feed, fertilizers, labor, irrigation which increase the variable cost in rice-fish farming. The present study also indicates higher amount of fixed cost. This occurred due to increasing land rent, security cost, plot repairmen cost which increased fixed cost. Gross return is higher due to the higher rice and fish production and increased demand and market price of fish. Net return was obtained by deducting all cost (variable and fixed) from gross return. In this study, it is found lower net returns compared to other similar studies due to inclusion of land rent and security cost that are deducted from the gross return. This result indicates the lower profit than the previous studies. The present study found several problems including lack of sufficient funds, lack of good quality seeds or fries, high price of input, low price of output, lack of scientific knowledge and technology, lack of extension services, problems of thefts and multiples ownership which acts as a barrier for rice-fish cultivation.

Knowledge Management: Journal