EXISTING FISH CULTURE STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: IMPACT ON POTENTIAL PRODUCTION AND PROFITABILITY

The objective of the study was to evaluate the profitability of farm fish production with relation to management practices and disease control. A survey was carried out with a pretested questionnaire in six upazilas of Mymensingh district where 100 sample farms were randomly chosen. Farmers were interviewed for the study to know productivity and diseases throughout the 6-month data collection period. Multiple linear regression model was fitted, and benefit cost ratio was determined for farm fish production. The majority of respondents (42%) were middle-aged between the ages of 30-45 years and 24% had secondary education with 29% graduated/post graduated. Only 37% of the fish farmers were trained. For the removal of aquatic weeds and undesirable species, antibiotics and a variety of chemicals were used. Fertilization was done after fish stock with 200-350 g/decimal of urea and the same dose of TSP. The majority of the farmers buy feed on an installation basis whereas 24% farmers could not use supplemental feeds for high-cost Farmers (82%) check the quality of water on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. Lime, amount of fertilizer, cost of chemicals/medicine and utility cost had a positive impact on the production of fish. Age and experience of farmers also had a positive impact on production, but they were not significant. The overall benefit-cost ratio for farm fish production in this study was 1.37. Mymensingh district has excellent prospects in fish production that may be enhanced by applying comprehensive post-stocking and health management. Fish production is cost-effective enterprises as indicated by the benefit-cost ratio and has great scope for the fishery sub sector for increasing employment prospects.