Assessment of aquaculture as a means of sustainable livelihood development in Fulpur upazila under Mymensingh district

Mm Ali,Mk Alam,Pk Sarma,Mah Mondal

doi:10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14933

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify how aquaculture assists in developing sustainable livelihood to the fish farming community in rural Bangladesh during the period from January to December, 2009. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), a conceptual framework that aims to ameliorate poverty was applied to understanding the role of aquaculture in the Mymensingh area of the North-central Bangladesh. The study used the SLA as a foundation or main basis of analytical tool to identify the means and ways to enhance the livelihood of fish farmers. The analysis reveals how fish farmers can achieve positive sustainable livelihood through access to a wide range of livelihood assets. Higher economic return (BDT 1,19,360/ha/year) and social benefits were found to be gained by the fish farming community through human capital development. Lack of operating capital, vulnerability and insufficient institutional support were identified as major constraints to long term sustainability.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14933 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 391-402, 2012

Highlights

Aquaculture and fisheries currently is one of the most important potential sectors of the national economy, accounting to 5% of gross domestic product and 6% of foreign export earning
The livelihoods of a large number of small and marginal farmers were found to be associated with fish farming in the study area
The study confirmed that most farmers have improved their-socioeconomic conditions through fish production which plays an important role in increasing income, food production and employment opportunities

Summary

Introduction

Aquaculture and fisheries currently is one of the most important potential sectors of the national economy, accounting to 5% of gross domestic product and 6% of foreign export earning. Labor employment in this sector has been increasing by 6% approximately. No other sector in Bangladesh illustrates development potential more clearly than fisheries. The total fish production in Bangladesh in 2011 was estimated at 2.8 million tons, of which 1.14 million tons (41%) were obtained from inland aquaculture, 1.08 million tons (38%) from capture fisheries and 0.58 million tons (21%) from marine fisheries (DoF, 2011). Aquaculture production, especially pond aquaculture may be a dependable source of obtaining increased fish production in order to supply and feed the ever increasing population of the world (FAO, 2010)

Methods

Results

Conclusion