Profitability and factors affecting production of pond fish culture under NATP project in Tangail district of Bangladesh

Abstract

Profitability and input use efficiency of pond fish culture was studied at farming systems Research and Development (FSRD) site, Atia, Tangail from July 2019 to June 2020. The average pond fish production was recorded at 2808 kg/ha/year with the highest yield from the medium farms (2940 kg/ha/year) and lowest yield from marginal farms (2624 kg/ha/year). The highest gross return (Tk 352,800/ha) was found with medium farmers followed by small farmers (Tk 343,200/ha). The benefit cost ratio was also recorded higher (2.08) in marginal and small farms. Considering the aggregate production function for all groups of farmers, it was found that inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, feed and human labour were statistically significant in explaining the variation in pond fish output but the results varied with different farm categories. Since there was positive correlation between input use and production of fish, it is probable that an increase in application of inputs could increase production further.