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Status of Drying Fish, Marketing Channel and Associated Problems in the Kuakata Coast of Patuakhali District, Bangladesh

Md. Jabir Al Mehedi
Department of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh

Al-Shahriar
Corresponding author
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Sk. Musfiq-ul-Haque Fahim
Fisheries Officer, PSKS, Partner Organization of PKSF, Gangni, Meherpur, Bangladesh

Md. Gias Uddin
Upazilla Aquaculture Extension Manager, CODEC, Bagerhat-9300, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was conducted to know the fish drying activities, species used in fish drying and marketing channel of dried fish in Kuakata coast of Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. Sea fishes are mostly used for drying and dry fish producers collected raw fishes from arat (landing centers) (70%), fishermen (25%) and little amount from own capture (5%). It was found that 21 fish species were used for drying among them 3 species (Harpadon Nereus, Setipinna phasa, Lepturacanthus savala) were commonly used and other 18 species were fairly used. The peak fish drying season was observed at mid-October to mid-February (in Bengali Kartik to Magh). It was observed that the dry fish producers used salt to produce good quality dry fish and salt mixing rate is 2 kg salt for 30-35 kg raw fish. The duration of drying at normal weather conditions is varied between 3-5 days depending on the size of fishes. After drying, the dried fishes were packed in either jute bags or polythene bags and stored at room temperature for marketing. About 95% dried fish products are sold in the wholesale market at Chittagong, Syedpur, and Dhaka and rest 5% sold to the local retail market. However, three (3) step dried fish marketing channels were observed in the study area. The producers sold their product at very lower price and it ranged between Tk. 120-3200 per Kg. The retail price of the dried fishes ranged from Tk. 200-3500 per Kg. The dry fish producers and intermediaries faced various problems like inadequate capital, natural calamities, lack of scientific knowledge and technology, price instability, lack of transport facilities, inadequate storage facilities, lack of physical marketing facilities and marketing information.

Keywords: Dry fish, Dry fish producers, Marketing channel, Price, Problems

Location: Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-08-2019

End Date: 00-12-2019

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Dried fish, Fish marketing

Objectives:

To know the present status of dried products, species used, problems, marketing channel of dried fish in Kuakata coast of Patuakhali district, Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Location and description of the study area:
Kuakata, locally known as “Sagar Kannya” (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty place on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata is situated Latachapli union under Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district and about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka and Coordinates of 21°48'53"N 90°7'23"E (Source: Google map). Major fish drying area of Kuakata is Kuakata beach drying yard, Alipur and Mohipur. Among them Kuakata beach drying yard was selected for fish drying activities and retailers from kuakata beach dry fish market.

Method of Data collection and study period:
The questionnaire interviews were taken through a random sampling method. For this purpose, nineteen (19) dry fish producers and nineteen (19) dry fish retailers were selected from kuakata beach dry fish market. The study was conducted for a period of 5 months from August 2019 to December 2019. For the questionnaire survey, fish retailers were selected through simple random sampling method. Interviews were conducted at the market during marketing time. Retailers took part in fish selling activities; as a result, there was a scope to observe the marketing activities. Primary data was collected by face-to-face interviews. Secondary data was mainly collected from various books of DoF. Cross-check interviews were conducted with key informants such as Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO), and relevant GO and NGO officers. Fish drying process was observed in the drying spots of the study areas.

Data processing and analysis:
After the collection of data, these data were edited and coded. All the collected data were summarized carefully and tabulated. In order to minimize error, data were collected in local units and later local units were converted into standard units and the data were transferred to the tabulation sheet. The Likert scale with values of 4, 3, 2 and 1 was developed to determine problems faced by dry fish producers and retailers in the study area followed by Ali et al., (2017). In this way the dry fish producers and retailers were asked to rate their problem as very critical, critical, extent critical and not critical. The variable mean score of 2.5 was used to discover whether the factor in question was critical or not. The variables with mean score of 2.5 and above were considered critical while variables with less than 2.5 were not. The data was processed and finally analyzed using Microsoft Excel Program. At each stage of the survey, data were checked up, edited, coded and transferred into a computer.

Source of Information: Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2020, 5 (2), 48-59; ISSN 2414-1283 (Print) 2414-6293 (Online)

Article Link (Online Journal): www.ebupress.com/journal/aajbb

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Marine dried fish production and marketing plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh, contributing to increased food production, diversification of the economy and increased employment opportunities. In most of the observed fish drying places, sun drying is carried out in unhygienic conditions. No dressing of used fishes in many cases; drying directly on earth surface which affect the quality of dried product strongly. Sometimes dry fish producers used insecticides for protecting raw fish from insect invasion. This practice greatly affects the quality of final product which is very harmful for human health too. Moisture, dust and other harmful substances from the environment can easily be mixed to the fish and make the fish susceptible to microorganisms or insect invasion. In the present study, poor quality and inadequate infrastructure in the wholesale and retail market were identified. In most cases, storage of dried fish in unhygienic conditions was observed which usually took place in the tent having no platform. Furthermore, it was also found that raw and dried products were kept in the same tent which badly affects the quality of dried final product. The requirement of a satisfactory dried product is highly desirable and to achieve this, a scientific drying method should be practiced in all the drying process. Extension work needs to be done so that there is awareness from dry fish producers to consumers on handling procedures and quality regulations to ensure reduction in losses and quality of product to market.

Knowledge Management: Journal