Abstract
This study was conducted to assess profitability of fish production in paddy fields in the village of Kunia and Chandora, under Gacha union in Gazipur sadar upazila in Gazipur district. Primary data were collected from 15 fish farmers for the study during the period from June to November, 2016. Production performance of three stocking package were compared. CFP-1 package contained Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + Tilapia (6175/ha); CFP-2 comprised of Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + Common carp (6175/ha); while CFP-3 was represented by Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + (Tilapia (6175/ha) + Common carp (6175/ha). Both tabular and functional analyses were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Fish productions in paddy fields are profitable business. The total cost of fish production under three selected stocking plans such as CFP-1, CFP-2 and CFP-3 were estimated to be Tk. 73085, Tk. 83459 and Tk. 86928 per ha, respectively. The corresponding total gross return (Tk./ha) were Tk. 209777, Tk. 274170 and Tk. 262721, respectively. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) was estimated to be 2.87, 3.28 and 3.02 for package-1, package-2 and package-3, respectively. Returns over per taka investment (NR/Tk.) were found to be 1.32, 1.69 and 1.42 for the above fish culture packages. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis indicated the positive contribution of fish fingerlings, fertilizer, fish feed and lime on the total income and farm productivity, while human labor and bank interest rate decreased the farm income. The values of R2 were 0.775, 0.739 and 0.812 for CFP-1, CFP-2 and CFP-3, respectively. About 77.5 percent, 73.9 percent and 81.2 percent of variation in yield and gross return of fish production in paddy fields could be explained by the multiple regression equations. Fish production in paddy fields are economically profitable, viable and environment friendly. The farmers may undertake fish culture in paddy fields if suitable paddy fields are available.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2017, 3(3): 379-390
Highlights
Fisheries sub-sector in Bangladesh is playing a vital role in employment generation, animal protein supply and foreign currency earning and poverty alleviation
Age distribution of contact farmers Out of the total contact farmers the highest portion was about 53% which belonged to the age group of 30-40 years and the lowest was about 10% which was above 50 years (Figure 2)
Educational level of contact farmers In this present study it was found that 33% of the contact farmers had up to secondary level of education (S.S.C) and only 7% of the contact farmers had masters’ degree level of education (Figure 3)
Summary
Fisheries sub-sector in Bangladesh is playing a vital role in employment generation, animal protein supply and foreign currency earning and poverty alleviation. Fisheries sector have been playing a very significant role and deserve potential for future development in the agrarian economy of Bangladesh. This sector contributes 3.65% to the national gross domestic product (GDP) and almost one- fourth (23.81%) to the agricultural GDP (Bangladesh Economic Review 2016). In Bangladesh, a large proportion of paddy fields remain under water during monsoon where Aman rice could not be grown due to accumulation of excessive water as a result of water submergence. These paddy fields could be utilized for other productive purposes. Any efforts to find out an economically viable and profitable production practice of aquaculture for temporary fallow paddy fields will be an excellent task.The main objectives of this study are to determine the socio-economic profile of the farmers practicing fish culture in paddy field; to investigate the costs and returns and the relative profitability of fish production in paddy fields
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