Impact of aquaculture on crop productivity in greater Noakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract

Aquaculture expanded to a great extent in Bangladesh through the conversion of agricultural lands due to high profitability resulting in land-use conflicts. The present study is the first initiative to elucidate the impacts of aquaculture on agricultural farms of greater Noakhali (Noakhali, Feni, and Lakshmipur), Bangladesh. Soil and water samples were drawn from 240 selected farms from fish farms (FF), near land (NL), distance land (DL), and control sites. Soil and water quality parameters were analysed following standard methods. A pre-coded structured questionnaire-based interview of farmers was performed from July 2017 to March 2018. Organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and pH (soil and water) of FF showed significant influence on its surrounding agricultural lands but sulfur, boron, and potassium did not show such kind of influence in all three districts. Total fish production and gross profit were found higher in large fish farms (32.19 MT/year and 238.24%) compared to medium and small fish farms. NL's total crop production and gross profits also showed the same pattern but DL’s showed the opposite pattern. Aqua farms negatively impacted agriculture in terms of cropping patterns but showed an increasing rate for HYVs (High Yield Variety) of rice in greater Noakhali.