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Socio-economic Conditions of Fishermen at Jaintiapur Upazila in Sylhet

NAB Bhuiyan,
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

M Kunda* ,
Professor, Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

MA Islam
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

AHA Rashid
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted to investigate the livelihood status of fishermen of the Sari-Gowain River at Jaintiapur upazila under Sylhet district, Bangladesh. Randomly selected sixty fishermen from four villages were interviewed by using a structural questionnaire based on focused group discussion during December 2017 to May 2018. It is revealed that most of the fishermen (48.25%) were of middle age group (31 to 50 years). Among the respondents, around 78.5% fishermen were Muslim, and rests were Hindu. Around 71.5% respondents had nuclear family and 28.5% had joint family. Their family size ranged from 3-12 members; 10% fishermen had small family with 3-4 members, 60% had medium family with 5-7 family members, and rest 30% had large family with 8-12 family members. About 25.5% of the sampled fishermen received no education, 58.25% could sign only, 10.5% of the fishermen had education up to primary level, and 5.75% of the fishermen had education up to secondary level. Fishing is identified as the main income source for a large amount of fishers (41.5%) whereas 38.5% of the fishermen were involved in agricultural activities, 37.75% were involved in labor, and 23.25% were involved in boating as secondary occupation. About 70.5% of the fishers had access to drinking water from tube-wells and 29.5% used neighbours’ tubewells. Of the sampled fishermen 45.5% used earthen latrine, 4.25% used semi-cemented latrine, and 50.25% used open field for toilet purpose. Most of the fishers (45.25%) were found to live in houses in corrugated tin roof and bamboo wall houses. Among the fishermen 61.25% borrowed money from non-government organizations (NGOs), 30.5% from relatives, and 8.25% were economically self-sufficient. About 69% of the fishermen were dependent on village doctor and Kabiraj for treatment, 21.5% on upazila health complex, and 9.5% on MBBS doctor for health facilities. All of these findings indicate the poor socio-economic conditions which might have negative impact on their livelihoods, and thereby should be improved in order to make positive impact on the fisheries biodiversity of the river.

Keywords: Social status, fisherman, livelihood, biodiversity.

Location: This study was conducted to investigate the livelihood status of fishermen of the Sari-Gowain River at Jaintiapur upazila under Sylhet district,

Start Date: 17-12-2017

End Date: 18-05-2018

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Social status

Objectives:

This study was carried out to investigate the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen at Jaintiapur upazila around the Shari-Goyain River.

Methodology:

The Sari-Gowain River is one of the trans-boundary rivers of Bangladesh originated from Meghalaya state of India. It enters Bangladesh through the northern part of Jaintapur upazila in Sylhet district and flows southwestward through Jaintapur, Gowainghat, SylhetSadar, and Chatakupazilas, and then meets the Surma River near Chatak Bazar (Al-Hadi, 2012). It receives flow from the Gowain River at Gowainghat upazila, Sylhet. This river is navigable and a large number of fishermen are dependent on this river for fishing. Thus, it plays an important role in their economy through supply of animal protein and employment generation, etc. Jaintiapur is a large upazila (280.27 km2 ) in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh which is geographically located between 24'59″ and 25'11″ north latitudes and in between 92'03″ and 92'14″ east longitudes (Figure 1). It is bounded by Meghalaya state of India on the north, Kanaighat and Golapganj upazilas on the south, Kanaighat upazila on the east, and Gowainghat and Sylhet Sadar upazilas on the west. In this study we have considered only the Jaintiapur portion of the Sari-Gowain River. This river is locally known as “Chenger Khal”. In this study we have considered the fishermen of Shikarkha, Umonpur, Moakhai and Vittikhel villages under Chiknagul union and number two Jaintiapur union under Jaintiapur upazila. A draft questionnaire was developed for pre-testing in the study area. During pretesting, attention was given to incorporate any new information which was not designed to be questioned in the draft interview schedule. The questionnaire was then modified according to the experience gathered from the pretest. The final questionnaire was then developed in logical sequence, so that the fishermen could understand and answer easily. Questions related to socio-demographic condition, income of fishermen, the family structures, and other relevant aspects were included in the questionnaire. Collection of data Data were collected from both from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected for a period of six months from December 2017 to May 2018 through questionnaire-based interview of the fishermen. At first, as participatory rural appraisal tool focus group discussion was conducted with fishermen to get an overview of issues such as, existing fishing systems, socioeconomic condition of fishermen, etc. Afterwards, a total of sixty fishermen were randomly selected from the fishers’ community, and were interviewed at the river sides or at their houses, wherever available. Cross-check interviews were conducted through key informant interviews with school teachers, local leaders, relevant non-government organization (NGO) workers, etc. Data processing, analysis and presentation The collected data were summarized and listed in worksheets of Microsoft Excel 2007. The same software was also used for processing and analysis of those data.

Source of Information: J. Sylhet Agril. Univ. 5(2):203-211, 2018 ISSN: 2308-1597

Article Link (Online Journal): www.jsau.com.bd)

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the results, it is found that only around 35% of the fishermen directly sell their fish through marketing -channel 1. The rest 65% of the fishermen used the long marketing channels (2) which have decreased their profit. Finally, it can be concluded that the fishermen of the Sari-Gowain River were mostly illiterate. Due to their illiteracy most of them were not conscious about education, health, and sanitary facilities. It eventually hampers their economic condition. Moreover, in the dry season they were unable to catch sufficient amount of fish to generate minimum income to maintain their family. Thus, they had to take loans on a very high percentage of interest from neighbours or NGOs rather than banks. These complex situations press them to indiscriminately use current nets and catch fry, fingerlings as well as broods which causes a decline in fisheries resources as well as fish biodiversity in the river.

Knowledge Management: Journal