Present Status, Impact, and Challenges of Fish Farming at Bhaluka Upazila in Bangladesh

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 85 - 93, 02.09.2024

Shayla Sultana Mely , Md. Rony Babu , Abhishak Sarkar Joy , Md. Shahidul Islam , Md. Nazmul Hossen , Md. Rabiul Islam

https://doi.org/10.26650/tjbc.1441292

Abstract

Objective: The current investigation was conducted to identify existing fish culture practise, livelihood condition of fish farmers, and the major challenges faced by fish farmers in Bhaluka upazila, Bangladesh.
Materials and Methods: Data were collected through surveys, monitoring, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools like focus group discussions (FGD), using a pre planned questionnaire survey. A group of 5 fish farmers was interviewed from each of the six villages.
Results: In the study, majority of fish farmers were between the ages of 41 and 60 years. Fish farming was their major occupation; however, they did not receive any formal training in fish culture. Fish ponds were large (> 4000 m2) and medium in depth (1-2 m), and the most popular fish culture system was polyculture. Commercial feeds were used to supply nutrients, fertilisers (organic and inorganic) were also applied to the pond water to produce natural food. Salt, lime, zeolite, potassium permanganate, and oxygen tablets were used to maintain water quality. Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, argulosis, and tail and fin rot are most prevalent in the winter. Increasing feed costs, lack of financial support, and disease outbreaks were critical challenges in fish farming in the study area. The socioeconomic status of fish farmers was found to improve with fish farming.
Conclusion: Fish farming substantially improved the livelihoods of fish farmers in the study area, despite many constraints. Government support, including microcredit support, the supply of high-quality inputs, including fish fry, feed, vaccinations, and the provision of training facilities could increase fish production in the region.

Keywords

Bhaluka upazila, Constraints, Fish culture, Fish farmer, Livelihood status

References

• ADB. (2010). An evaluation of small-scale freshwater rural aquaculture development for poverty reduction. Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, Philippines. google scholar
• Ahmed, J. (2010). Attitude of farmers towards the effect of pond ownership on fish production. An unpublished MS Thesis submitted to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. google scholar
• Ahmed, N. & Rahman, M.M. (2005). A study on fish marketing systems in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Pakistan Journal of Biological Science, 8(2), 287-292. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ pjbs.2005.287.292 google scholar
• Ali, M.H., Hossain, M.D., Hasan, A.N.G.M. & Bashar, M.A. (2008). Assessment of the livelihood status of the fish farmers in some selected areas of Bagmara upazila under Rajshahi district. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 6(2), 367-374. http://dx.doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.208316 google scholar
• Ali, H., Azad, M.A.K., Anisuzzaman, M., Chowdhury, M.M.R., Hoque, M. & Sharful, M.I. (2009). Livelihood status of the fish farmers in some selected areas of Tarakanda upazila of Mymensingh district. Journal of Agroforestry and Environment, 3(2), 85-89. google scholar
• Ali, M.M., Hossain, M.B., Minar, M.H., Rahman, S. & Islam, M.S. (2014). Socio-Economic aspects of the fishermen of Lohalia River, Bangladesh. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 19(2), 191-195. 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.19.2.8235 google scholar
• Anil, S.K., Gunalan, B., Jetani, K.L., Trivedi, G.K. & Soundarapandian, P. (2010). Determine the economic feasibility of the polyculture system (giant tiger shrimp and mullet). African Journal Basic and Applied Science, 2, 124-127. google scholar
• Ara, Y. (2005). Assessment of small scale fresh water fish farming for sustainable livelihoods of the rural poor farmers. Unpublished MS Thesis, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. p. 32. google scholar
• Arshad, P.E. & Arockiaraj, J. (2020). Pathogenicity and pathobiology of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) causing fungus Aphanomyces invadans and its immunological response in fish. Reviews in Fisheries Science, 28(3), 358-375. https://doi.org/1 0.1080/23308249.2020.1753167 google scholar
• Daniel, N. (2018). A review on replacing fish meal in aqua feeds using plant protein sources. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 6(2), 164-179. google scholar
• Das, M., Islam, M.R., Akter, T., Kawser, A.Q.M.R. & Mondal, M.N. (2018). Present status, problems and prospect of fish farming at Gazipur Sadar upazila in Bangladesh. Progressive Agriculture, 29(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.3329/ pa.v29i1.37480 google scholar
• DoF. (2012). Fishery Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh. Fisheries Resources Survey System, Department of Fisheries, Dhaka, Bangladesh. p. 44. google scholar
• DoF. (2019). National Fish Week 2019 Compendium. Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh. p. 160. google scholar
• DoF. (2022). National Fish Week 2022 Compendium. Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh. p. 21. google scholar
• Fatema, K., Naher, K., Roy, K.C. & Pervin, R. (2018). Pond fish culture and socio-economic status of fish farmers in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. Journal of Fisheries, 6(3), 639-644. https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.20 google scholar
• Halim, M.A., Rayhan, A., Sharmin, S. & Mondal, D.K. (2017). Status of pond fish farmers in some selected areas of Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district, Bangladesh. SSRG International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 4(3), 13-17. google scholar
• Haque, M.Z., Rahman, M.A. & Shah, M.S. (1991). Studies on the density of Rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings in polythene bags for transportation. Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries, 14(1-2), 145-148. google scholar
• Hasan, H., Rahman, M.M., Sharker, M.R., Ali, M.M. & Hossen, S. (2016). Fish diversity and traditional fishing activities of the River Padma at Rajshahi, Bangladesh. World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences, 8(3), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.5829/ idosi.wjfms.2016.151.157 google scholar
• Hasan, M.M., Zaman, M. & Naser, M.N. (2021). Aquaculture practices among the fish farmers of Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh-Scenario from a decade and half ago. Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences, 30, 499-509. https:// doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v30i3.59041 google scholar
• Hoque, M.S., Bygvraa, D.A., Pike, K., Hasan, M.M., Rahman, M.A., Akter, S., Mitchell, D. & Holliday, E. (2021). Knowledge, practice, and economic impacts of COVID-19 on smallscale coastal fishing communities in Bangladesh: Policy recommendations for improved livelihoods. Marine Policy, 131, 104647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104647 google scholar
• Hossain, M.A., Khan, M.A.R. & Mannan, M.A. (2002). Present status of pond fishery in Dhamairhat Upazila, Naogaon. University Journal of Zoology, Rajshahi University, 21, 79-80. google scholar
• Hossain, M.M. & Ali, M.M. (2014). Investigation on fish marketing system and species availability at Daulatpur fish market in Khulna, Bangladesh (Revised). Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, 7(2), 177-184. http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22228 google scholar
• Hossen, S., Ali, M.M., Sharker, M.R., Jahan, N., Hossain, M.B., Sukhan, Z.P. & Roy, P. (2020). Present status of fish farming and livelihood of fish farmers in Barisal Sadar Upazila of Barisal District, Southern Bangladesh. World Applied Sciences Journal, 38(2), 143-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.5829/idosi. wasj.2020.143.152 google scholar
• Hughes, R., Adnan, S. & Dalal-Clayton, B. (1994). Floodplains or Flood Plans: A review of approaches to water management in Bangladesh. International Institute for Environment and Development, London; and Research and Advisory Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh google scholar
• Islam, M.R., Rahman, M.M. & Haque, M.M. (2017). Strength and weakness of existing traceability system of seafood production in Bangladesh. Progressive Agriculture, 28(2), 156-166. http:// dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v28i2.33477 google scholar
• Kawsar, M.A., Alam, M.T., Ahamed, S. & Mou, M.H. (2019). Aqua drugs and antibiotics used in freshwater aquaculture of North Chittagong, Bangladesh. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 7, 28-34. google scholar
• Khatun, S., Adhikary, R.K., Rahman, M., Sikder, M.N.A & Hossain, M.B. (2013). Socioeconomic status of pond fish farmers of Charbata, Noakhali, Bangladesh. International Journal of Life Science Biotechnology and Pharma Research, 2, 356-365. google scholar
• Kumar, G., Engle, C. & Tucker, C. (2018). Factors driving aquaculture technology adoption. Journal of the world aquaculture society, 49(3), 447-476. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12514 google scholar
• Leonard, L.S. & Mahengea, A. (2022). Assessment of water quality from privately owned fish ponds used for aquaculture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Applied Journal of Environmental Engineering Science, 8(1), 8-1. https://doi.org/10.48422/IMIST. PRSM/ajees-v8i1.29831 google scholar
• Mazid, M.A. (2002). Development of fisheries in Bangladesh: plans and strategies for income generation and poverty alleviation. Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, pp, 78-79. google scholar
• Pravakar, P., Sarker, B.S., Rahman, M. & Hossain, M.B. (2013). Present status of fish farming and livelihood of fish farmers in Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur district, Bangladesh. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science, 13(3), 391-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.5829/idosi. aejaes.2013.13.03.66116 google scholar
• Prodhan, M.M.H. & Khan, M.A. (2018). Management practice adoption and productivity of commercial aquaculture farms in selected areas of Bangladesh. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 16(1), 111-116. https://doi.org/10.3329/ jbau.v16i1.36491 google scholar
• Quddus, M.A., Rahman, M.S. & Moniruzzaman, M. (2000). Socioeconomic conditions of the pond owners of Demra, Dhaka. Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries Research, 4(2), 203-207. google scholar
• Rahman, M., Ferdowsy, H., Kashem, M. & Foysal, M. (2010). Tail and fin rot disease of Indian major carp and climbing perch in Bangladesh. Journal of Biological Sciences, 10(8), 800-804. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2010.800.804 google scholar
• Rahman, M.M., Chowdhury, P. & Islam, M.S. (2016). Socioeconomic status of fish farmers in Dhumki Upazila under Patuakhali district, Bangladesh. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 4, 288-292. google scholar
• Rahman, T., Uzzaman, A., Shahana, M. S., Islam, M. & Deb, L. (2017). Livelihood Assessment of the Fish Farmers Converted from Agricultural Farming in Selected Areas of Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. IAU International Journal of Social Sciences, 7(4), 1-8. google scholar
• Rahman, M.H., Alam, M.A., Flura, Azad, M.R., Moniruzzaman, M., Arifuzzaman, M., Al-Amin, M., Mukti, S.S. & Rahman, M.M. (2022). Culture and management practice in Mymensingh District: Perspective of fish production, disease occurrence and preventive measures. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 10(5), 44-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2022. v10.i5a.9060 google scholar
• Saha, S.K. (2004). Socio-economic aspects of aquaculture in Tangail Sadar Upazila (unpublished master’s thesis). Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. google scholar
• Sheheli, S., Fatema, K. & Haque, S.M. (2013). Existing status and practices of fish farming in Trishal Upazila of Mymensingh District. Progressive Agriculture, 24, 191-201. http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19172 google scholar
• Siddiqua, N.S., Uddin, M.S., Ahamed, G.S. & Tanwi Dey T.A. (2019). Assessment of the livelihood status of fish farmers and aquaculture conditions in Habigonj Sadar Upazila under Habigonj district, Bangladesh. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 7, 105-109. google scholar
• Snieszko, S.F. (1974). The effects of environmental stress on outbreaks of infectious diseases of fishes. Journal of Fish Biology, 6(2), 197-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1974.tb04537.x google scholar
• Wabbi, J.B. (2002). Assessing factors affecting adoption of agricultural technologies: the case of integrated pest management (IPM) in Kumi District, Eastern Uganda. MS thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. google scholar