INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BUSINESS, SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

ISSN: 2309-7892 (Online), 2519-5530 (Print), Volume: 5, Issue: 2, Page: 201-210, January-March 2017
Review Paper

CONSTRAINTS AND PROSPECTS OF FISH FARMING IN

LALMONIRHATDISTRICT
*Suvashis Vaumik1, Sourav Kumer Sarker2, Md. Shahab Uddin4, Md. Tariqul Alam4, Abdus Satter3 and
Abdulla-Al-Asif5

[Citation Suvashis Vaumik, Sourav Kumer Sarker, Md. Shahab Uddin, Md. Tariqul Alam, Abdus Satter, Abdulla-Al-Asif (2017).
Constraints and Prospects of Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District. Int. J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Res. 5(2): 201-210. Retrieve from
http://www.ijbssr.com/currentissueview/14013201]

Received Date: 07/01/2017 Acceptance Date: 20/02/2017 Published Date: 23/02/2017

Abstract
The present study was conducted to know the constraints and prospects of fish farming in
Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh. The data were collected from 100 fish farmers through
questionnaire interview for a period of four months from July 2014 to October 2014. Most of the
ponds were perennial (72%) with an average size of 0.41 ha and a depth of 1.69 m. All the fish
farmers practiced mostly carp polyculture system using different aquaculture inputs like
fertilizer, feed, seed, and chemicals. They were usually found to collect fish seed from
neighboring districts, mainly Bogra and Mymensingh. The main constrains were availability of
quality seed, lack of scientific and technical knowledge, lack of manpower, outbreak of fish
diseases, lack of credit facilities, high price of various inputs, low fish price, theft of fish and
poisoning the pond water. Though there were many constraints, the fish production from
aquaculture sector was increasing gradually in the study area. The total fish production from
aquaculture in 2014 was projected 10,663 MT, while the fish production in 2010 was only
7600.4 MT in Lalmonirhat district. If the constraints could be solved, fish production in the study
area would possibly be increased tremendously.
Key words: Fish Farming, Lalmonirhat District, Bangladesh, Polyculture, Cage Culture.
Introduction
Aquaculture is commonly regarded as part of the cultural heritage in Bangladesh. As a riverine country,
it is rich in freshwater resources that are suitable for aquaculture. Bangladeshi people are mostly
depended on fish and aquatic production for their animal protein and micronutrient needs. More than 60
percent of animal protein supply comes from fish (DoF, 2014).The country encompass productive water
resources in the form of ponds, low-lying natural depressions or haors and beels, oxbow lakes, canals,
rivers, estuaries and marine water areas which are the habitat of many commercially important fish
species of Bangladesh. Since time immemorial, these fishes are considered as an integral part of the
nation providing food, nutrition, incomes, livelihoods and export earnings (Alam 2005; Nasir Uddin et
al., 2003; Dey et al., 2010; Jahan et al., 2010 and Belton et al., 2011). The fisheries sector (marine and
inland fisheries) plays a vital role in the country's economy, contributing 4.37% of gross domestic
product, 23.37% of Agriculture and 2.01% of export earnings (DoF 2014). Bangladesh ranked as the 4 th
largest global aquaculture producer country in 2012 after China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia (FAO
2014). A variety of types of fish culture, both land and water based, have been developed in the country
over the past 20 years which include pond aquaculture (mostly semi intensive), rice-fish culture, pen
culture, shrimp gher (enclosure) farming, community based fisheries, cage culture, etc. (Edwards 2000).
Now, Aquaculture in Bangladesh is growing rapidly. Over the years, aquaculture has grown significantly
as an industry. The number of potential fish farmers and beneficiaries is considered to be very large in
Bangladesh (Dey et al., 2008). Because of its high potential, promotion of aquaculture has been
identified as an important sub-sector of food security, poverty alleviation, rural employment and
economic emancipation in the development programme of the Bangladesh and more than 4 million
households (20 million family members) livelihoods directly depend on aquaculture in Bangladesh
(Belton et al., 2011). While aquaculture has been progressing very well due to development of various
technologies, but some of the constraints have halted the speed of the progress, which need to be
seriously addressed and mitigate to maintain the current growth of the aquaculture industry. Important
constraints identified by previous studies are joint ownership of ponds, inadequate technical knowledge,

*Corresponding Author’s email: [email protected]

1
Scientific Officer, CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd.
2
Farm Officer, CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd.
3
Department of Aquaculture, Sheikh Fajilatunnesa Mujib Fisheries College (Banghamata Sheikh FajilatunnesaMujib Science and
Technology University), Jamalpur.
4
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100.
5
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University,Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District 202

high prices for feed and other inputs, the lack of quality fingerlings, poor understanding of economics,
and inadequate credit options (Ahmed et al., 1994; Gupta and Rab 1994; Lewis 1997; Chowdhury and
Maharajan 2001; Thomson et al., 2005; ADB 2005). Present study was conducted in Lalmonirhat
district. Here fish farming has a positive impact on aquaculture production but numerous types of
constraints affect potentiality of fish farming in the northwestern region of Bangladesh. Low water flow
from upstream river, lack of loan facilities, low quality and scarcity of fish seeds in proper time were the
main barrier of fish farming in the study areas. Due to seasonal ponds, most of them have converted their
ponds into crop’s fields. Ali and Rahman (1986) stated that a sandy soil of the ponds was a major
problem with 19% of the fish pond owners in Lalmonirhat district who stated that this problem mainly
occurred due to Farakka Barrage of India. Rahman (2003) stated that the major constraints of carp
farming were lack of money and production cost. Khan et al., (1998) also identified that the lack of
knowledge about fish culture was one of the most important problems. Hossain et al., (1992) observed
that the largest problems faced by fish farmers are multiple ownerships. Besides this, Northwest
Fisheries Extension Project-2010 (NFEP-II) shows, average 37.5% of farmers were identified lack of
money, 30% of higher production cost, and 17.5% of low quality seeds and lack of technical assistants in
Rangpur, Lalmanirhat, Dinajpur, Panchagar, Thakurgoan, Gaibanda, Kurigram and Nilphamary districts.
The main objectives of present study were to know the present status,constraints andprospects of fish
farming in Lalmonirhat district.
Materials and Methods
Study Area and Periods
Five upazilas of Lalmonirhat district were selected namely LalmonirhatSadar, Aditmari, Hatibandha,
Kaligonj and Patgramto conduct the present study. The data were collected for a period of four months
from July 2014 to October 2014 (Figure 1).
Selection of Sample Farmers
Almost 100 fish farmers were randomly selected
for questionnaire interviews, where, each upazila
consist 20 fish farmers. Equal size of sample was
selected from each upazila to get the more
accuracy of data.
Collection of Data
Data were collected through direct interview.
With a set of interview schedule designed for this
study, each respondent was given a brief
introduction about the nature and purpose the
study during the interview.
Processing and Analysis of Data
The collected data were scrutinized and
summarized carefully before the actual
tabulation. Some of the data were collected into
local units and those data were converted into
Figure 1. Map of Lalmonirhat district
international units. After data entry, the data were
analyzed with computer programs, Microsoft Excel.
Results and Discussion
Farmers Profile
Educational status
Five categories of fish farmer were found in the present study regarding their education levels. In an
average, the highest number (44.0%) of fish farm owners had class VI-X level education followed by class I-VI
(35%), SSC (9%) and HSC (9%) graduate (3%) (Figure2). The reported this highest rate also found lower than the
national adult literacy level of 57.9 % (BBS 2010). Ali et al. (2014); Asif et al. (2014); Asif et al. (2015); Islam
et al. (2014); Islam et al. (2015) and Sharif et al. (2015) conducted the same research on education status
of farmer and had got more or less similar result with present study.
Age structure
Knowledge of the age structure of fish farmers is important in estimating potential productive human
resources. In the study area, overall 5% farmer were 26-30 years, 30% farmers were 31-35 years old,
31% were between 36-40, 18% were between 41-45 years old and 10% were 46-50 and 6% were more
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Vaumik et al. 203

than 50 years old. The highest percentage farmer was found in this area was in 36-40 years age group
(Figure 3). The similar result was found by Ali et al., (2014); Asif et al. (2014); Asif et al. (2015); Islam
et al. (2014); Islam et al. (2015) and Sharif et al. (2015).
50
45
40 35
35 30
Percentage

Percentage
30 25
25
20
20
15
15
10 10
5 5
0 0
Class I-IV Class VI-X S.S.C H.S.C Graduate >50
26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 50<
Education Level Age (Years)
Figure 2. Education level of fish farmers Figure 3. Age structure of farmers in the study area
Income sources of farm owners
In the study area, aquaculture was not found as the main income source for the majority of farm owners.
Most of the farm owners reported agriculture to be their principal occupation. Apart from agriculture and
aquaculture, farmers were found to engage other income generating activities including their own
business, services and other activities. Average income from aquaculture was Tk. 241114.64/year fish
farmers (Figure 4). Khan (1986); BBS (2002); Asif et al., (2014); Asif et al., (2015); Islam et al.,
(2014); Islam et al., (2015) and Sharif et al., (2015) found the more or less similar result with the present
study.
300000
250000
Income (Tk/Year)

200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Aquaculture Agriculture Business Services Others
Income Source
Figure 4. Income generating activities of farm owners
Land types
Three categories of lands were found by the farmers which included homestead area, agricultural land
and fish pond. They had average 0.13462 ha of homestead area, 1.448675 ha of agricultural land and
0.53078 ha of fish pond (Table 1).
Table 1. Land types of farmers (ha)
Upazila Homestead area Agricultural land Fish pond
Sadar (n=20) 0.1848±0.177 0.2398 ±0.158 0.2811 ±0.014
Aditmari(n=20) 0.1202±0.031 0. 9977±0.421 0.5701 ±0.041
Hatibandha(n=20) 0.1525±0.104 2.1499 ±1.010 0.4118 ±0.061
Kaligonj(n=20) 0.1151±0.017 1.9149 ±1.001 0.7108 ±0.644
Patgram(n=20) 0.1005±0.021 1.4901 ±1.201 0.6801 ±0.444
Overall average 0.13462±0.070 1.448675±0.758 0.53078±0.241
Technical knowledge of fish farmer
Most of the farmers in the present study did not receive required training for fish culture and practiced
traditional culture system and of only average 52% of the respondent had necessary technical knowledge on
improved fish farming practices gained either from NGOs, ATI, DoF, JuboUnnayon and from others
(Table 2). Rahman (2003) found in his study in Gazipur district that about 49% farmers gained fish
farming experience from friends and neighbor. Saha (2006) observed in his study that about 45.6%
Pangus farmers gained experience from friends and neighbors. In recent years, Department of Fisheries
(DoF), NGOs such as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural
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Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District 204

Development Services (RDRS), Association for Social Advancement (ASA) and United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) and other institutes have been provided training to the fish
farmers.
Table 2. Technical knowledge of fish farmers
Upazila NGOs ATI DoF JuboUnnayon Other No
Sadar (n=20) 3(15%) 2(10%) 1(5%) 1(5%) 1(5%) 12(60%)
Aditmari(n=20) 2(10%) 1(5%) 0(0%) 3(15%) 3(15%) 11(55%)
Hatibandha(n=20) 3 (15%) 1(5%) 1(5%) 3 (15%) 4(20%) 8(40%)
Kaligonj(n=20) 2(10%) 2(10%) 0(0%) 3(15%) 1(5%) 12(60%)
Patgram(n=20) 5(25%) 3(15%) 2(10%) 3(15%) 2(10%) 5(25%)
Overall average (n=100) 15% 9% 4% 13% 11% 48%
Technical knowledge: Yes (52%) and No (48%)
n= Sample size; Figure in the parentheses indicate percentage
Infrastructure Facilities of Fish Farms
It was observed that about 88% farms had easy access Road Electricity Own farm house
by road. About 63% farms had their own electricity
facility and 19% farmers had their own farm house
(Figure 5). 11%
Ownership and Area of Ponds
52%
Ownership of pond is an essential factor making 37%
smooth decision regarding of fish farming. A pond
having single ownership is very easy to monitor but it is
very tough in the case of multiple ownership. Three
types of pond ownership were observed which included
farmers own pond (55%), leased (10%) and multi
ownership (35%) (Figure 6). The average area of pond Figure 5: Infrastructure facilities of fish farms
was 0.41 hectare and a depth of 1.69
meter.
80 Owned Leased Multi ownership
Pond Depth 70
Pond size and depth is an important factor 60
for fish culture because all management 50
Percentage

measures are planned considering the size 40

and depth of ponds. The management of 30
small size pond is easier than large size 20
pond. The farmers can easily manage 10
their pond during culture as well as
0
harvesting. The average area of pond was
0.41 hectare and a depth of 1.69 meter. Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram
The area and depth of the ponds seems Pond ownership pattern
suitable for fish culture (Table 3). Figure 6. Average percentage of pond ownerships
Majority (85%) ponds were perennial and
only 15% were seasonal found in the study area. Farmers used deep tube-well as water source for fish culture
during dry season. The majority of the ponds (75.56%) had no water inlet and outlet system.
Table 3. Average area and depth of pond in the study area
Pond description Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram Overall
(n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20) Average
Average pond area (ha.) 0.420 0.452 0.390 0.419 0.370 0.410
Average pond depth (m) 1.61 1.78 1.70 1.56 1.80 1.690
Soil Type of Pond
From the study, it was found that overall 77.5% of pond had clay type soil and 22.5% had sandy loam soil (Table
4). In the present study, it was found that majority of the area of pond had covered clay soil and only few had
sandy loam type soil. In loamy soil area, ponds have high capacity of water holding with less turbidity problem
and high productivity that is potential for other land based aquaculture systems. Ali and Rahman (1986) stated
that sandy soil of the ponds was a major problem of the fish pond owners in Lalmonirhat district.

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Vaumik et al. 205

Table 4. Soil type of the farm (%)

Soil Type Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram Overall
(n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20) Average
Clay-loam 8(40%) 7(35%) 5(25%) 8(40%) 7(35%) 35%
Loam 2(10%) 1(5%) 3(15%) 2(10%) 5(25%) 13%
Sandy 2(10%) 3(15%) 4(20%) 6(30%) 2(10%) 17%
Sandy-loam 7(35%) 8(40%) 5(25%) 2(10%) 3(15%) 25%
Sandy-clay 1(5%) 1(5%) 3(15%) 2(10%) 3(15%) 10%
n= Sample size; Figure in the parentheses indicate percentage
Labor Cost
Aquaculture labor was found very cheap (average Tk. 220/day) in the study area. It was Tk. 180/day in
Kaligonj and Tk. 260/day in sadarupazila. However the labor cost is increasing now a day in the study
area in comparing with other kinds of labor. Increase of labor cost is directly related with the increase of
aquaculture production cost.
Fish Culture Strategy
Maximum farmers practiced four to seven fish species carp polyculture in their ponds. The most
common fish species used for polyculture system were Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catlacatla), Mrigal
(Cirrhinuscirrhosus), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthysmolitrix), Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella),
Carpio (Cyprinuscarpio), Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthysnobilis), Sarpunti (Barbodesgonionotus),
Bata (Labeobata), Pangus (Pangasiuspangasius) and Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus). Islam (2005)
worked on pond fish farming in Dinajpur district and found that same species were used for polyculture
which akin with the present findings.
Sources of farm water
Farmers used both surface and underground water for culturing fish. In the dry season, most of the
farmers used underground water pumping through deep tube well. They had to spend average Tk.
8353.12/year for pumping water in pond. They have a little bit chance of exchanging of water from their
farm, and farmer use it if sudden fall of water quality occur in the farm. There are no enough drainage
facilities and pump facilities for exchanging water in the study area and it also costly for farmer.
Collection and price of fish fry
In the study area, the season of fish farming started from April and continued until December. Fish fries
were stocked generally when they become available in April to June and harvested primarily during
December to January. Farmers had to collect fish fry from different hatcheries from Bogra and
Mymensingh. The price of fry and fingerling in sadar upazila was Tk. 3050/kg and Tk. 3900/kg
respectively and was Tk. 2700/kg and Tk. 3600/kg respectively in Patgram upazila. The average cost of per
kg fry was Tk. 3475 and fingerling it was take Tk. 3150. The similar result was found by Asif et al., (2014)
and Sharif et al., (2015).
Fish feed
Farmers used both homemade and commercial feed in the ponds. They usually prepared homemade feed
by mixing wheat bran, rice bran, and mustard oil cake which cost about Tk. 23.00/kg. The price of
commercial feed was varied from Tk. 38.4-60.4/kg. Some feed companies were found to supply fish feed
in the study area. Variations were observed in the price of feeds of different companies (Table 5). CP
Company showed the highest price for feed than other company, because they ensure the good quality
feed with minimum mortality. Respondent also informed that, CP Company fish feed had a good demand
in the study area.
Table 5. Cost of commercial fish feed (Tk/Kg) in the study area
Name of feed Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram Average
company
Local fish feed 38 35 33 36 37 35.8
ACI fish feed 55 56 56 55 50 54.4
Aftab fish feed 46 47 45 46 47 46.2
CP fish feed 60 60 61 61 60 60.4
Mega fish feed 40 42 41 42 43 41.6
Nourish fish feed 40 43 42 41 42 41.6
Paragon fish feed 42 40 41 44 42 41.8
Quality fish feed 45 45 45 44 45 44.8
Ruposhi fish feed 39 36 39 38 40 38.4

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Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District 206

Use of fertilizers
Farmers used both organic and inorganic fertilizers in their ponds. For organic fertilizer they used cow
dung (1000±12.1 kg/ha) and poultry excreta (1450±14.6 kg/ha). For inorganic fertilizer they used urea
(62.6±1.2 kg/ha), TSP (64±1.9 kg/ha) and MP (71.2±2.1 kg/ha). They also used lime (246.8±7.4 kg/ha)
for different purposes (Table 6). Shahab et al., (1987) worked on effect of inorganic fertilizer and found
74 kg/ha TSP and urea respectively was more economic for monoculture of Rohu fish, which is more or
less similar with the present findings.
Table 6. Use of fertilizers (Kg/ha) and lime in the study area
Upazila Organic fertilizer Inorganic fertilizer
Cow dung Poultry litter Urea TSP MP Lime
Sadar 1000±10.7 1750±19.5 62±1.22 64±2.0 70±2.3 243±8.1
Aditmari 900±13.2 1450±11.5 60±1.50 65±1.7 73±2.7 230±7.0
Hatibandha 1000±10.0 1500±17.3 63±0.98 63±1.2 71±2.1 251±9.2
Kaligonj 900±14.4 1400±13.4 65±1.17 65±2.1 72±1.6 260±5.6
Patgram 1200±12.0 1550±11.1 63±0.99 63±2.3 70±1.8 250±7.1
Average 1000±12.1 1450±14.6 62.6±1.2 64±1.9 71.2±2.1 246.8±7.4
Chemicals and drugs
Chemicals and drugs were not widely used in the study area. Only 42% farmers used different type of
chemicals for disinfection and disease treatment (Table 7).
Table 7. Use of chemicals in the study area
Use of Chemical Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram Average
(n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20) (n=20)
Yes 07 (35%) 09 (45%) 5(25%) 9(45%) 12(60%) 42%
No 13 (65%) 11 (55%) 15(75%) 11(55%) 8(40%) 58%
n= Sample size; Figure in the parentheses indicate percentage
Stocking density and production
Farmers used high stocking density in their pond as they thought higher density of fish give higher
production. The average stocking density in the study area was found to be 93832.40 fry/ha. The stocking
density was higher in Hatibandha (113410 fry/ha) than in Sadar (105298 fry/ha). It seems the stocking
density is much higher than normal practices about 5900-9880 fry/ha (DoF, 2005). Hasanuzzaman (1997)
observed the average stocking density of 16,196 fry/ha in the district of Rajshahi. NFEP-II (1998)
suggested that the stocking density of carp polyculture was optimum at the rate of 14,820 fry/ha. It was
found that the average annual yield of fish was 3512.326 kg/ha. The average fish production per hectare pond
was higher in Hatibandha 4070.13 kg/ha than in Sadar 4003.18 Kg/ha (Table 8). DoF (2005) reported that the
national production can be obtained at 4092.86 kg/ha/yr. The carp polyculture production was highest in
Mymensingh district which was estimated at 11690.51 kg/ha respectively. Therefore, the production of the study
area was lower than the production of Mymensingh and overall average production of country.
Table 8. Stocking density and production of fish in farms
Sadar Aditmari Hatibandha Kaligonj Patgram Average
Stocking 105298± 81522± 113410± 75522± 93410± 93832.4±4063.8
density 3702.87 3759.12 3730.99 7795.12 1330.90
(Fry/ha)
Production 4003.18± 3047.08± 4070.13± 3271.11± 3170.13± 3512.326±733.914
(Kg/ha/yr.) 113.38 771.24 942.31 1020.33 822.31
Harvesting
Although fishes were reported to harvest throughout the year, the pick season of harvesting period was
found from December to January. In the pick season, around 70% used of the stocked fishes were
reported to be harvested. Farmers harvested their fish using cast net and seine net locally known as berjal
for harvesting fishes. Total 80% of the fishes were sold by the farmers to local market and the rest 20%
consumed by the households and given to the relatives. It was found that 58% of the farmers hired labor
for harvesting their fish.
Marketing system
In the study area, marketing facility was found very poor which including lack of improved
infrastructure, unavailability of ice for fish preservation, unavailability of fish market place, lack of
transport facility. In these marketing channel, a number of middlemen existed like local agents, whole
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Vaumik et al. 207

sellers, local fish traders and retailers. Market communication is normally being made through
middlemen. It was observed that a few pond fish farmer directly sold their fish to local paikers or local
agents at the bank of the ponds and majority of the farmers brought their fish in local markets and sold
them directly to local paikers or consumers. The finding of Khanam et al., (2003) was more or less similar
with findings of the present study. Asif et al., (2014); Islam et al., (2014); and Sharif et al., (2015) found
the more or less similar marketing system.
Constraints of Aquaculture in Lalmonirhat District
Ownership problems
A few farmers (32%) reported multiple ownership of the culture pond as a problem in the study areas and
they were trying to avoid this problem by leasing out the pond.
Manpower problems
A total of 32% farmers mentioned unavailability of labor as problems in the study area for fish farming
while 83% respondent mentioned lack of trained manpower was another constrain for aquaculture
development in the study area. Khan et al., (1991) identified that the lack of fish culture knowledge was
one of the most important problem for fish farming. Farmers mentioned unavailability of labor as a
problem and also mentioned lack of fisheries expert person‘s in the study area.
Input problems
Lack of quality fish seeds was reported by 32% farmers which resulted in low growth and high mortality
of fishes. Majority of them (73%) reported unavailability of seeds in peak season causes delay in starting
culture. Most of the farmers (76%) reported high price and 25% farmers reported unavailability of
commercial feed in the study area. Lack of quality fish seeds was reported by farmers due to
unavailability of established quality fish hatchery in the study area. So far farmers have to collect quality
seed from surrounding districts, which leads high mortality of seeds during transportation. It also
increase the overall production cost of the farmer. Ali and Rahman (1986) stated that the non-
availability of good quality fingerlings was the major problem in Lalmonirhat district. Unavailability of
fish hatchery was the main crisis of fish seed and they had to import fish fry from far distance such as
Bogra and Mymensingh resulting to increase the price of fish seeds.
Financial problems
About 56% failed to apply required inputs like fertilizers, quality seed fry and feeds in time due to lack
of money. In this case, loan from the bank or other organizations may be an alternative. Most of the
farmers (42%) reported that if they want to get loan from NGOs, they have to give higher interests. They
faced difficulties in getting loan from government banks.
Lack of scientific and technical knowledge
A total of 82.00% farmers in the study area were not aware about the modern fish farming technology.
They were not getting enough technical supports from relevant government or non-government
organizations and they had to discuss with neighboring farmers to solve their problems. Total 83.00%
farmers reported the lack of experienced manpower in the study area that supported the modern fish
farming technology.
Water quality problems
About 83% farmers reported that their stock grasped at the water column due to lack of sufficient
dissolved oxygen (DO) level in pond water. While facing this problem, the farmers followed traditional
methods to increase DO level, like swimming in pond to agitate water, movement of water using bamboo
pool etc. Plankton bloom was recorded in 73% farmer‘s fish ponds. Over fertilization of pond, especially
with organic fertilizers was responsible for this problem. Farmers used huge amount of poultry litter and
cow dung as inorganic fertilizer for fish which create algal blooms in the cultured pond.
Social problems
Fish poaching was a severe problem in the study areas and 79% farmers have been victimized by this
problem. To overcome this problem, farmers placed bamboo or tree branches into the pond water.
Security guards have also been employed in some cases too. Sometime 23% farmers were the victim of
fish poisoning. This was an important risk of aquaculture in the study areas. Similar findings were also
reported by Alam (2005) and Islam and Dewan (1986).
Fish disease
All farmers mentioned a number of diseases in their farmed fishes. The most prevalent disease as reported by
the farmers included epizootic ulcerative syndrome (65%), fin rot (57%) and tail rot (83%). Hemorrhagic

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Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District 208

lesion over body surface (60%), dropsy (9%), gill rot (31%), malnutrition (25%) and Argulosis (10%) have
also been reported (Figure 7). Faruk et al., (2008) mentioned that the common diseases of freshwater fishes
of Bangladesh were tail and fin rot, bacterial gill rot, dropsy, various types of fungal diseases, protozoan
diseases, parasitic diseases, nutritional disease, and various tumors. Brown and Brooks (2002) mentioned
that in their study farmers were capable of identifying at most nine major causes of fish death in their
ponds. Faruk et al., (2004) reported that financial loss due to disease in rural aquaculture was about 14% of
actual plankton.
90%
80%
70%
Percentage

60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Disease Name
Figure 7. Average (%) diseases in aquaculture in the study area
Overall Problems
The overall problems of aquaculture in Lalmonirhat district is shown in figure 8.

Lack of transportation
Marketing

Fluctuation of market price

Lack of preservation
Man power

Lack of expert persons

Unavailability

Fish poisoning
Social

Poaching

High interest of NGOs loan

Credit

Lack of credit

Technical problem
Other

Fish disease

Deficiency of DO
quality
Water

Bloom
Commercial

Unavailability
feed

High price

Low quality
Seed

Unavailability
rships
Owne

Multiple ownerships

0 20 40 60 80 100

Figure 8. Constraints of aquaculture in the study area

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Vaumik et al. 209

Prospects of Fish Farming in Lalmonirhat District

Fish production is increasing from the aquaculture sector in Lalmonirhat district. The total fish
production from aquaculture in the study area was 7600.4 MT in 2010 and which is projected as 10663
MT in 2014 in Lalmonirhat district (Figure 9). This indicates that there is a bright future of fish
production in the study area.
12000
10000
Production (MT)

8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (Projected)
Year of production
Figure 9. Aquaculture production of Lalmonirhat district in last five years
Conclusions
The present study was explored some major constraints encountered by the farmers as well as prospect of
aquaculture in Lalmonirhat district. The problems faced by the farmers were lack of scientific and
technical knowledge, lack of manpower, outbreak of fish diseases, lack of credit facilities, high price of
various inputs, low product price and lack of marketing facilities, theft of fish and poisoning the pond
water. The constraints discussed above are quite common in fish farming in Bangladesh. To overcome
these problems some suggestions could be made which include giving credit to fish farmers, arrangement
of pump during dry season and some basic training of fish health management.
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