Growth Performance and Economic Analysis of Swamp Eel (Monopterus cuchia): An Application of Cobb-Douglas Production Function

Abstract

This study was designed to highlight the culture techniques and socio-economic conditions of cuchia farmers. The study used primary data collected from Adamdighi upazila in Bogura district of Bangladesh for a period of 120 days from 05 March to 26 June 2016. Three different experimental treatments were used. For socio-demographic factors, two-stage stratified sampling design was used in this study. The target population was Cuchia farmers. So, a total of 90 Cuchia farmers were finally selected for analysis. One way ANOVA with multiple comparison test was applied to identify significant treatments. Cobb-Douglass production function was used to determine the contribution of the most important variables in the production process of Cuchia farming. Analysis showed that, more than 80 percent of Cuchia fish survived with fish fry and snail meat feed. All the mean differences were statistically significant to compare Cuchia meals between two periods of time. For both cases weight and height, the result showed that vermi meals were significantly different from dried fish, while fish fry and dried fish were also significantly different. The estimated result showed that a significant negative association was found between cost of fish fry feed and gross income of Cuchia farming. The cost of seed also showed a negative association. In the contrary, this study found positive and significant association in cost of Dried fish, cost of human labor. It is well known fact that Cuchia contain higher amount of nutritious value which is important for human health. Therefore, policymakers should pay special attention to this sector.