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Socio-economic Conditions of Atrai River Jolkor Fishermen Community in Naogaon District of Bangladesh

Wahida Haque
Department of Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Arafat Hossain
Department of Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mohammad Mamun Chowdhury
Department of Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted to assess the socio-economic condition of the fishermen community known as Atrai river jolkor located adjacent to Atrai and Raninagar thana of Naogaon district. The fishermen were about 40% young and 30 % middle-aged, where the family size of the fishermen varied from 5-11 persons with an average of 6.56. 86 % were Muslims and only one-sixth of the fishermen community was Hindus. Among them 46% were illiterate, 34% could sign their name, while 20% were educated. The fishermen in the surveyed area were mostly poor, annual income ranged between 35000-40000 BDT. 78% of their houses were huts made of bamboo with tin shed roof, 20 % were moderate –shacks, and only 2% were brick-built buildings. 52% of the families of the fishers had no adequate sanitation system, were earthen and sanitary latrines at a rate of 40% and 8% respectively. About 70% of the fishermen had little access to pure drinking water. Only 26% of the fishing community had received training on fisheries-related activities. The fishing community suffers from various problems such as extortion, lack of fishing gear, inadequate credit facilities, and an ineffective marketing system.

Keywords: Socio-economic condition, Fishermen community, Atrai River

Location: Naogaon district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

To know the socio-economic condition of the riverine fishermen of the Atrai river of Naogaon district of Bangladesh, to know the existing fish harvest practices of the river, to assess the diversity of fishing gears used in the study area and to make some suggestions for policymaking guideline and recommendations for future development of the fishermen of Atrai river.

Methodology:

Study area: The Atrai river jolkor was one of the most important wetlands of fishery resources in Naogaon district. It is famous for its reserve of aquatic life and it is the heart of local fishermen community. It originates in west Bengal, passing through the Dinajpur district, crossed Barind Tract and flows into Chalan beel. The river serves as a perennial source of fishing. During monsoon it also causes flooding. The study area included Atrai and Raninagar Upazila of Naogaon district. A large number of people lived in the river area whose culture and livelihoods are related with the riverine environment. The river also used as an irrigation canal for water supply for crop cultivation and fish culture in the surrounding area. About 855 professionals, 502 occasional fishermen, 663 subsistence fishermen and total fishermen were 2020. There were 8528 number of households within the two sides of the river area. 2.2 Target group: Fishermen: A large number of fishermen were known to be engaged in fish catching in the Atrai river jolkor. Fishing was the main activity of the people. As there are also a number of seasonal fishermen, so the number of fishermen varies in different seasons. Data was collected for 6 months from July 2016 to January 2017. For this study data were collected from 50 randomly selected fishermen. 2.3 Data collection: For data collection from fishermen a questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the objectives set for the study. A draft questionnaire was developed at first and then pretested in the study area. Questions related to the socio-demographic condition, the income of fishermen, family members and other relevant aspects of river fishing were included in the questionnaire. For the study Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tool such as focus group, discussion (FGD) was conducted with fishermen to get an overview of particular issues of socio-economic condition of fishermen. After collecting data through questionnaire interviews and FGD, the information was cross-checked for justification. Any contradictory information was recollected from key informants. Cross-check interviews were conducted with key persons such as Upazilla Fisheries Officer, AFO and relevant NGO workers for the confirmation of the relevant information which take place in their office. All collected data were edited and coded, summarized, scrutinized and recorded. Finally presented in tabular form, this is simple in calculation, widely used and easy to understand.

Source of Information: IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS), Volume 12, Issue 10 Ser. I (October 2019), PP 35-41; e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372.

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.9790/2380-1210013541 (www.iosrjournals.org)

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This fishing community suffered from various problems such as extortion, lack of fishing gear, inadequate credit facilities, ineffective marketing system etc. These problems need immediate attention and solution to improve the socio- economic condition of the Atrai river jolkor fishermen community. Further more elaborate research can be initiated to take the suitable integrated social or economic scheme for the betterment of the fishermen community of the Atrai river.

Knowledge Management: Journal