Bio floc training for fish farmers: Measuring the impact on attitude

Fish farmers lack adequate information and understanding of BFT principles and practices. This includes a lack of awareness regarding water quality management, the importance of maintaining a balanced bio floc, and proper feeding strategies in BFT systems. Considering this context, a study was carried out to explore the attitudes of farmers toward both bio floc fish farming and the training designed to develop bio floc skills. In June 2024, the fishery unit of UBKV (Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya) organized a skill development training program on bio floc fish farming for 75 experienced fish farmers from the Coochbehar district. Participants, each possessing at least five years of experience, were selected from three blocks: Cooch Behar-I, Cooch Behar-II, and Dinhata-II (25 farmers from each). The interview schedules were prepared in the regional language (Bengali) to ensure clarity and ease of understanding for all trainees. The training program primarily attracted middle-aged (31-45 years) male participants with education up to class 10, belonging to Hindu religion, and with a distribution across various caste categories.A significant majority (84%) had the most favorable attitude, while a smaller percentage (16%) had a moderately favorable attitude.Trainees generally have a positive attitude toward bio floc technology, recognizing its potential benefits in terms of profitability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. However, there are some concerns regarding its accessibility to resource-poor farmers and potential negative impacts. The training program was well-received by the trainees, who found it informative, applicable, and likely to induce positive behavioral changes in their fish farming practices.