Bangladesh 3 Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh,

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1 AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSN Print: , ISSN Online: , doi: /abjna , ScienceHuβ, Pond Farming and Livelihood Status of Fish Farmers in Subarnachar, Noakhali, Bangladesh Md. Golam Sarwer 1,*, Md. Yusuf Ali 1, Shuva Bhowmik 2, Md. Asadujjaman 3 and Mst. S. Sharmin 1 1 Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 2 Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 3 Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh *Corresponding author: Md. Golam Sarwer, Mobile: and sonet_fims@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The present study was conducted in Subarnachar upazila under Noakhali district of Bangladesh to know the livelihood status of fish farmers with emphasis on pond fish culture. The survey was conducted on 50 fish farmers from April to November Data were collected through personal visit and questionnaire interview. Secondary data was collected from Upazilla Fisheries Officer. Pond size of the area was 0.24 ha where 64% of the farm operators having ponds of single ownership, 32% having ponds of multi-ownership and 4% having of lease ponds. Percentages of small, medium, large and very large ponds were 26, 38, 28 and 8 respectively, whereas 48% of the ponds were seasonal and 52% are perennial. Polyculture of Indian major carps and exotic carps have been practiced by most of the farmers. Average stocking density was 14,171 fry/ha and the average annual yield of fish was found to be 2, kg/ha. The average fish production cost was BDT 54,309.6/ha/yr. The average return and net profit were BDT 156,322.6 and BDT 102,013 successively. Although the living condition of the rural fish farmers were poor, livelihood status was found positive and 94% of the farmers have improved their status through fish farming. In the s the highest percentage (34%) of fish farmers earned BDT 75, ,000 per year. Among the fish farmers 15% was illiterate whereas 19, 31, 14, 12 and 9 percent were educated up to primary, secondary and higher secondary and bachelor level, respectively. In the present study it was found that 42%, 22%, 18%, 8% and 10% of the respondents were related to agriculture, business, service, day labour and fish culture as their principal occupation. Though, lack of adequate fund (48%), lack of technical knowledge (26%) and multi-ownership (12%) were reported as major constraints in. It is therefore pond culture is a potential approach for their better livelihood. Keywords: Constraints, fish farmers, health service, livelihood outcomes and livelihood status. INTRODUCTION Livelihood comprises the capabilities, the assets (natural, physical, human, financial and social capital), the activities and the accesses to these (mediated by institutions and social relations) that together determine the living gained by the individual household. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in future, while not undermining the natural resource base (Chambers and Conway, 1992). Fish provide 60% of the animal protein requirement of the population. Fisheries account for 7% of the total employment of the country. This sector contributes about 3.69% of GDP and around 22.60% of the value addition in agricultural production in (DoF, 2015). Total pond area in Bangladesh estimated 305,025 hector (ha), of which % is cultured, 7.82% is culturable and 1.42 % is derelict. Total pond area in Noakhali is 12,322 ha of which 9,857 ha is cultured, 2,218 ha is culturable and 247 ha is derelict (BBS, 2011). Most of the freshwater pond fish farming systems in of Bangladesh are either extensive or semi-intensive and in very few cases intensive. In semi intensive culture system ponds are stocked mainly with Indian major carps and exotic carps, fertilizer (mainly cow dung, urea and TSP) is used

2 irregularly and supplemental feed consisting of rice-bran and oilcakes are given. In extensive method fishes are grown on natural feeds and feeds and fertilizer are rarely used if used then also in small quantity and or irregular basis. Ponds are normally rained. The stocked fish are not specifically selected, predator are not eliminated and are not fertilized or managed through-out the production cycle. In general fish culture in Bangladesh is characterized by the use of both extensive and semi-intensive systems. MATERIALS AND METHOD Study area selection and target group: Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali district was selected for the study, because; pond fish culture is heavily concentrated in this area, various NGOs and DoF have been working with fish farmers to increase fish production, well communication facilities, relatively homogenous physiographic condition and finally, suitable for researcher work in this area. Data were collected during April to November About 50 samples were taken from Subarnachar upazila where every 10 samples were taken from 5 mouza. Fish pond with different types of culture system, management practices and farmers age, number of family member; religion status, income level, health facilities, sanitary facilities, get of technical assistance, electricity facilities etc. were included in the sample. For data collection, a set of interview schedule was designed. Data were collected from the fish farmers using questionnaire interviews, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Cross-check interview with key informants. Data Analysis: Data were processed and finally analyzed with Microsoft Excel RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Age distribution: In the present study, the pond fish farmers were classified into six age group viz.,15 to 25 years, 26 to 35 years, 36 to 45 years, 46 to 55 years, 56 to 65 years and above 65 years. The highest numbers of farmers were within the ages 36 to 45 years old at 24%. Followed by out of the total fish farmers were 22% belonged to 26 to35 years, 22% in 46 to 55 years, 12% in 56 to 65 years, 12% in above 65 years and 6% in 15 to 25 years. Ali et al. (2009), found that most of the fish farmers (50%) belonged to age group of 31 to 40 years in Mymensingh district. Bhaumik and Saha (1994), reported that age structure of fishermen at Sundarbans was ranged from 20 to 70 years which more or less agreed with the present findings. Education: Education has positive effect on farm productivity. In the present study six categories were used to determine the level of education. These categories have no education, primary (up to 5 class), secondary (6 to 10 class), SSC, HSC and bachelor levels. Out of 50 fish farmers, 15% had no education, 19% has primary level (up to 5 class), 31% has secondary level (6 to 10 class), 14% has SSC level (10 class pass), 12% has HSC level and 9% has bachelor level of education. The reported literacy rate was found higher than the national adult literacy level of 65% (BBS, 2002). Zaman et al. (2006), found that 23.3% farmers were illiterate whereas 14.4%, 8.9% and 6.7% were educated up to primary, secondary and higher secondary or above level respectively. On the contrary, Tasnoova et al. (2008), found that 60% Alternate-Rice-Fish farmers and 50% Rice-Cum-Fish farmers were educated up to graduate and above level of education. Khan (1986), stated that the level of education is a factor affecting utilization of pond for fish farming. Family type and member: For present study families are classified into two types I) Nuclear family II) Joint family. In the 58% farmers lived with joint families and 42% lived with nuclear families (Table 1). Joint family was predominant in the which also correspondents well with the findings of Ali et al. (2009), in Mymensingh district. The family size has considerable influence on the income and expenditure of the family. The average family size was estimated at 7.94 in a family which was very high and similar to the findings of Rahman et al. (2012b). Table 1: Family type of pond owners in the study area Family type No. of farmer % of total Nuclear Joint Religious status: Religion plays a vital role in the social and cultural environment of people in a given area. It acts as a notable constraint and modifies social pattern of people. In the, 86% of the pond owners were Muslim and 14% were Hindus (Table 2). 135

3 Table 2: Religious status of fish farmers in the Religion No. of farmer % of total Muslims Hindus 7 14 Others Distribution of land of the fish farmers: Average land area of pond owner had 2.21 hectare in Subarnachar upazila ata union where homestead area 0.53 ha, cultivated land 1.41 ha and pond area 0.27 ha (Table 3). Akter (2001), also found that pond farmers had average land area of 1.63 ha. Table 3: Distribution of land of the fish farmers Land status Subarnachar Homestead area 0.53 Cultivated land 1.41 Pond 0.27 Total 2.21 Ownership pattern of house unit and housing status: In the s, it was found that every pond owner had own dwelling unit. So most of the house of pond owners had tinshed about 82%. Followed by 10% houses were katcha, 6% half building and 2% building (Table 4). Sarker (2004), observed in his studies that the housing structure of 70% farmers was tin-shed, 8% katcha and 15% half cemented building. Table 4: Housing status of fish farmer in the Housing status No. of farmer % of total Katcha 5 10 Tinshed Half building 3 6 Building 1 2 Health facilities: The study showed that 79% of pond operators were dependent on village doctors, while 17% and 4% got health service from upazila health complex and MBBS doctor, respectively. Rahman (2007), found that 44% of the farmers received health service from village doctors, 29% from upazila health complex and 27% from MBBS doctors. Electricity facilities: In the present study, 68% pond owner had electric facilities and 32% had no electricity (Table 5). Some of the people used solar energy for producing electricity. The use of electricity by the fish farmers in the s was higher than the national use of 35% (BBS, 2004). Table 5: Electricity facilities in the Electricity facilities No. of % of total farmer Yes No Drinking water source: About fifty respondents, all were used tube-well as drinking water source. It indicates a positive sign for health facilities in the. About72 % pond owners had own tubewell (Table 6). Kabir et al. (2012), also found that 100% fishermen s household used tube-well water for drinking purposes, among them 40% had their own tubewell, 50% used shared tube-well and remaining 10% used neighbors tube-well. Table 6: Drinking water source in the Drinking water No. of % of total source: farmer Tube-well Collected from others tube-well Sanitary facilities: In the three types of toilets are used: 1) katcha toilet made of bamboo with inadequate drainage disposal, 2) semi-pucca toilet made of tin or wood with inadequate drainage disposal, and 3) pucca toilet made of brick with good drainage disposal. Large number of pond operator used semi pucca toilet which was 65%. Katcha and pucca toilet were used by 7% and 28% respondents. The present study revealed that the sanitary conditions of the fish farmers were relatively satisfactory than fish farmers in Mymensingh district where Ali et al. (2009), in his study found that 62.5% of the farmers had semipucca, 25% had kancha and 12.5% had pucca toilet. Financial capital: Financial capital denotes the financial resources that people use to achieve their livelihood objectives. Financial capital of fish farmers represents income, occupation, savings, credit etc. The fish farming sector has the potential to generate considerable amounts of financial capital to the resources of associated groups. Quddus et al. (2000), found that, only 34% farmers got bank loan for fish culture while majority (53%) of farmers expend from their own sources. In the, it was seen that small farmers were in 136

4 disadvantageous situation due to poor financial resources for fish farming and they did not have financial support from institutional credit. Principal occupation: In the majority of the fish farmers were involved in agricultural farming as a principal occupation (42%), followed by business including small trading and shop keeping (22%). About 18% of the farmers were occupied with public and private services while 8% of pond owners sales their labours (both unskilled and skilled labour). There was 10% pond owners involved in fish farming as a principal occupation (Table 7). Sarker (2004), found that 17%, 52%, 3% and 28% farmers were related to agriculture fish culture, business and others as secondary occupation in Habigonj district. Table 7: Principal occupation of fish farmers Principal No. of % of total occupation farmer Agriculture Business Services 9 18 Day labours 4 8 Fish culture 5 10 Poultry raising Secondary occupation: Primary occupation cannot provide full time employment and the income derived therefore may be insufficient to provide adequate means of livelihood. In the 38% respondents stated that their secondary occupation was fish farming while, 22%, 26%, 8% and 6 % were occupied in business, agriculture, services and poultry rising (Table 8). Khatun et al., (2013) found that 22%, 28%, 8% and 6% were occupied in business, agriculture, services and poultry rising as the secondary occupation in Noakhali district. Table 8: Secondary occupation of fish farmers Secondary occupation No. farmer of Agriculture Business Services 4 8 Day labours - _ Fish culture Poultry raising 3 6 % of total Annual house hold income: The selected fish farmers were grouped into five categories based on the level of their annual income. The 1st category included the fish farmers having annual income up to 24,000 BDT The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th categories had income levels of BDT 25,000-50,000; BDT 51,000-75,000; BDT 76,000-1,00,000 and > 1,00,000 respectively. It is evident that majority of the respondent farmers belonged to 4th category. The 4th category had the highest proportion (34%) of farmers while the lowest proportions of farmers (2%) were in the 1st category (Table 9). In comparison of the present findings to the findings of Rahman et al. (2012a), it was found that the income level of the fish farmers of this area was relatively higher than the fishermen of the Nihjum Dwip which is situated at the adjacent Upazila to the. According to him, the highest percentage (46%) fish farmers earned BDT 50,000 to 75,000 per year, which was lower than the present findings. Table 9: Annual incomes of the fish farmers in the Annual household No. of % of total income (BDT) farmer Upto 24, ,000-50, ,001-75, ,001-1,000, >1,000, Source of credit: In the present study, it was found that 91% of the farmers used their own money for fish farming and 6% of the farmers received loan from bank for farming activities. 3% of the fish farmers received loan from other sources. Training of fish farmers: The total interviewed farmers only 18% received formal training (Table 10). Farmers obtained training from Upazila Fishery Office with the help of Department of Fisheries (DoF). Experience of fish farmers: According to the survey 75% of the farmers gained experience by self study, 5% obtained experience from Department of Fisheries (DoF), 9% from friends 5% from relatives and 6% from NGOs. Khatun et al, (2013), found that 78% of the farmers gained experience on fish farming by self study, 6% from friends, 7% from relatives and 10% from NGOs in Noakhali district. 137

5 Table 10: Farmers who obtained training in the Training No. of farmer % of total obtained Yes 9 18 No Transforming structures and processes (TSP): The institutions and policies of the transforming structures and processes have a profound influence on access to assets. Transforming structures and processes are the institution, organization, policies and legislation that shape livelihoods. Understanding institutional processes allows the identification of barriers and opportunities of sustainable livelihoods. An absence of appropriate structures and processes is a major constraint to the development of fish farming and related activities in. Both private and public sectors do not work properly with fish farming. NGOs have not played significant role in the development of the industry in general. Thus, lack of institutional and administrative help, poor infrastructures and extension services have affected livelihoods of poor farmers and associated groups. Livelihood outcomes: Livelihood outcomes can be thought of as the inverse of poverty. Contributing to the eradication of poverty and food insecurity depends on equitable access to resources, access of disadvantaged groups to sufficient, safe and nutritionally adequate food. Livelihood outcomes of fish farming and related activities are positive and most of the people have increased their income. Institutional and organizational supports, extension services, more fish farming knowledge and marketing are needed for sustainable livelihoods. The survey suggests that farmers have improved their socio-economic conditions through fish farming, as confirmed by 92% fish-farmers. Only 8% of the farmers have not improved their socioeconomic conditions due to poor knowledge on fish farming, high price of fish feed, poor marketing facilities and lack of money for fish farming (Table 11). Ara (2005), found that 98% of the fish growers could improve their livelihood status through fish farming. n spite of poor resources livelihood outcomes of fish farming are positive and most of them increased their income, food security and basic needs. The study suggests that 92% of fish farmers have improved their socio-economic condition through fish farming. Now, they have better food, cloths, housing conditions and children education. However, 8% farmers have not yet improved their status. Impact of fish farming were reflected in the process of increased saving, investment and purchasing capacity which have been increased and unemployment problem was decreased for both man and women. Table 11: Improved socio-economic condition through fish farming Improved socioeconomic No. of % of total condition farmer Yes No 04 8 Conclusion The fish farming sector plays important economic role in Subarnachar upazila through production of valuable cash crop, increasing food production, and increasing employment opportunities. However, concerns have arisen about lack of technical knowledge, poor supply of fish seed and marketing problems. The lack of technical knowledge in fish farm management may have an effect on productivity. In nutshell, it can be said that, farmers should be given facilities on training program and input availabilities, they should also be provided with credit facilities, motivated to utilize all types of water bodies for fish culture as well as integrated culture should be adopted. The fish farmers should be given facilities for education so that they can be well aware of their problems and prime rights. Effective linkage should be developed between upazila fisheries office and pond owners. However, All the water resources should be utilized for fish culture to get maximum production by using suitable technology. REFERENCES Akter, N (2001). An Economic Analysis of Pond Pangas Fish Production in a Selected Area of Trishal Upazila in Mymensingh District. M.S. Thesis, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Ali, H., Azad, M.A.K., Anisuzzaman, M., Chowdhury, M.M.R., Hoque, M and Sharful M.I (2009). Livelihood Status of the Fish Farmers in Some Selected Areas of Tarakanda Upazila of Mymensingh District. J. Agrofor. Environ., 3(2): Ara, Y (2005). Assessment of Small Scale Fresh Water Fish Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods of the Rural Poor Farmers. M.S. Thesis, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. 138

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