Impacts of Training to Member of Society on Production of Freshwater Prawn and Carps Polyculture using Feed in Rural Areas of Kashiganj in Mymensingh

Abstract

A society of 58 farmers in Kashiganj of Phulpur upazila in Mymensingh district cultured carps and giant freshwater prawn in 59 ponds where 45 people produced carp fishes in 50 ponds, and five farmers with other eight members cultured carps-prawn-poultry polyculture in nine ponds for about nine months. The members of the society received training and technical assistance for polyculture. The fry @ 20000/acre of prawn and carps such as catla, rohu, mrigal, silver carp, mirror carp and silver barb were released in March 2016. The fry of prawn was released with carps in nine ponds in one village – Biska (L05) only. The water quality parameters and pond bottom soil properties were within the productive ranges. Formulated feed (30% protein) used to feed prawn two times daily, and supplementary feed (15% protein) was used to feed carps two times daily and feeds were adjusted fortnightly. Farmers started to harvest prawn (100-150g) and carps (0.80-2.10kg) and silver barb (150-200g) from middle of October up to the end of November. The crude protein of prawn was higher than mirror carp followed by rohu, catla, silver carp and silver barb. The estimated yearly production of carps, prawn of 59 ponds (approximately 35 acres) and poultry birds was about 30 ton which was about six times higher than the past from 59 ponds. Physico-chemical and biological properties of water, and feed had significantly combined effects and percentage contribution (MR2) on the growth and production of prawn (MR2 = 50.84%), and different species of fishes such as catla (MR2 = 80.28%), rohu (MR2 = 69.22%), mrigal (MR2 = 58.52%), silver carp (MR2 = 72.93%), mirror carp (MR2 = 61.62%) and silver barb (MR2 = 55.80%). These factors had almost positively linear correlation with prawn and different species of fishes. The increased production was due to use of fertilizer, feed and proper care taken by owners and the members of the society. Five farmers produced 1000 poultry birds in two lots from five farms which established by the side of ponds. Pond owners shared the benefits with the society at the ratio of 50:50 and kept for the welfare of the society.