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Livelihood Improvement of Farmers Through Fish Farming in Haor Areas of Bangladesh

MA Hossain
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M Rashiduzzaman
Palli Daridra Bimochon Foundation (PDBF), Dhaka, Bangladesh

MS Islam
Palli Daridra Bimochon Foundation (PDBF), Dhaka, Bangladesh

KC Bhowmick
3 Social Development Foundation (SDF), Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The aim of the present study was to determine the livelihood improvement of fish farmers through fish farming in Kulaura upazila under Moulavibazar district. The present livelihood situation of fish farmers was measured on the basis of five parameters namely the change in food intake, household condition, physical assets, sanitation and income by involvement in fish farming activities. Data were collected by using a pre-tested interview schedule through the personal interviewing method from July 2017 to September 2017 from seventy-five (75) fish farmers. The paired t-test was used to measure the comparative change „before and „after involvement in fish farming. The results revealed that food intake, housing condition, physical assets, sanitation and income were increased significantly among the respondents. Average food consumption was increased to 2268.20 Kcal from 965.15 Kcal, average housing condition increased to 2.89 from 1.49 which indicates move towards having building house, average physical assets increased to 40.77 from 15.85, sanitation increased to 2.75 from 1.32 which indicates a move towards pucca latrine and income increased to 568 thousand to 473 thousand per year. The results indicate the improvement of the livelihood of fish farmers by involvement in fish farming activities. The fish farmers have faced some problems like fish disease, overflood, lack of market facilities, high cost of fertilizer and fish feed, lack of knowledge in the application of fish feed and fertilizer, unavailability of quality seed and species etc. Support from the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working in the fisheries sector should be involved to mitigate these problems. In conclusion, livelihood would be drastically improved by fish farming of the farmers in the studied areas.

Keywords: Fish farming, Haor areas, Improvement, Livelihood

Location: Bhukshimoil, Dakhina bazar and Magura of Kulaura Upazila under Moulovibazar district.

Start Date: 00-00-2017

End Date: 00-00-2017

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Livelihood

Objectives:

To evaluate the role of fish farming for improving the livelihood of fish farmers in haor areas of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The study was conducted at three villages namely Bhukshimoil, Dakhina bazar and Magura of Kulaura Upazila under Moulovibazar district. These villages were purposively selected because fish farming of these areas was higher than other areas of Kulaura Upazila. Farmers were randomly chosen from each village. People of these areas are highly dependent on haor fish farming practices for their livelihood (DoF, 2019). These areas were selected based on the suggestions made by Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO) and other relevant officials such as Upazila Rural Development Officer, Upazila Agriculture officer etc. of Kulaura Upazila of Moulovibazar. The research team pays more attention to selecting the beneficiary. Targeting the right household is crucial not only for the successful intervention of the project but also for its sustainability issue. Hence, the research team sat together and consults with other relevant experts in developing the selection criteria. More importantly, comments and suggestions were made during the inception meeting incorporated in developing the selection criteria. The total numbers of fish farmers in these three villages were 350 which constituted the sampling population. In the second step, 34 percent of the fish farmers were selected as samples by random sampling. Seventy-five (75) fish farmers were selected and constituted the sample for this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the study. The research team interviewed the sample fishermen at their houses and/or farm sites. Data were collected through the pre-tested interview schedule by face-to-face interview procedure during the period of July 2017 to September 2017. The interviews, lasting about three and half hours per day, focused on their existing and previous livelihood condition. The researchers were collected first-hand ideas and information about villages, local people, resources, institutions, infrastructure and public services through informal discussion with local people, local elite, and personnel of different organizations working in the locality. Cross-check interviews were conducted with Local Extension Agent for fisheries officer, researchers and relevant non-government organization (NGO) workers. Determination of livelihood improvement of fish farmers was the main objective of the study. The five selected criteria were used to determine livelihood improvement. These were: change in food intake mainly protein, change in housing condition, change in physical assets, change in sanitation and change in increasing scope of income. The livelihood improvement was measured comparing to the average results of previous conditions (recall data of five years) and present conditions considering these five criteria. An index value was developed based on the above elements for every household. Moreover, an aggregate value was estimated for selecting the beneficiaries. In the second step, 34 percent of the fish farmers were selected as samples by random sampling. Seventy-five (75) fish farmers were selected and constituted the sample for this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the study. The problems faced by the farmers on fish farming which hindered their livelihood improvement was also determined. Using a four-point rating scale such as high, medium, low and not at all. The possible range of problem score for each respondent could be „o? to „30? a total score of „0? indicated no problems in respect to utilizing support services while a score of „30? indicated the highest problem. Problem confrontation score was measured and a ranking order was done on the basis of this score. For each problem, the score ranged from 0 to 180. Sampling Simple Random Sampling Technique has been used to select respondent households to perform a baseline survey. All working villages have been used to select respondent households using the Probability Proportionate Sampling to Size (PPS). Accordingly, 75 households have been selected using a simple random technique from the sampling frame (population) of 350 households (HHs) from three working villages to conduct a baseline survey for collecting specific information. Data were collected by trained enumerators. Collected data have been edited and entered into the computer and analyzed using SPSS software by the consultant team. In the Baseline survey, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected with a direct interview method with the poor people through a structured pretested questionnaire. People in the Moulovibazar district were not habituated to keeping written documents on various factors change in food intake mainly protein, change in housing condition, change in physical assets, change in sanitation and change in increasing scope of income. They replied to various questions by the trained field enumerators from their memories. Some response errors during interviews were minimized by the researchers. Data were tabulated and analyzed with the descriptive statistical method by fulfilling the objectives of the study. Tabular technique was applied for the analysis of data using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, average and percentages through SPSS- v-16 version computer software. Paired t-test was done to measure the significant difference between „before? and „after? involvement in fish farming.

Source of Information: International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 2021, 8(1): 17-23

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4525192

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Due to involvement in fish farming, the extent of livelihood improvement of the farmers has been increased positively in respect of food intake, housing, physical assets, sanitation and income generation. As a result, fish farmers got the opportunity to spend the earned money in diversified sectors other than fulfilling just the basic requirements. On the other hand, some problems were observed among the respondents regarding fish cultivation which could be easily solved by awareness building of fish farmers with direct contact to upazila and district fisheries office and other fish culture community in the studied areas. Therefore, Government and other related organizations should be initiated some programs to improve the knowledge and skill of the fish farmers of haor areas about the selection of fish species, disease of fish, controlling measures, feed and fertilizer used. Proper training, refresher training course, exposure visit etc. could be arranged to make fish farmers achieved more skill and knowledge to solve the text mentioned problems.

Knowledge Management: Journal