PRESENT STATUS OF FISH FRY PRODUCTION AND TRADE AT CHACHRA IN JESSORE, BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was based on a survey report to know the present status of fish fry production and trade at Chachra in Jessore district by 20 hatchery owners, 45 nursery operators and 50 fry traders. The study was made on the total production of fry, number of people involved in the business, technical knowledge of the nursery operators, marketing channel, area of distribution of fry, means of transportation and facilities available. It was reported that 79,420 kg hatchlings were produced from 38 hatcheries and 948,394 kg fingerlings were produced from 180 nurseries at Jessore sadar in the year 2008. The fingerlings produced from this region were distributed to different parts of the country. Everyday more than 200 fry traders came to Chachra and carried the fry by means of van, pick-up van, bus, truck, train etc. Commission agents played an important role in this trade. It was observed that due to poor technical knowledge and improper transportation, fry mortality was high. Besides, insufficient credit support and unexpected disease infection were found to be the major problems in this business.