AVAILABILITY AND MARKETING OF DRY FISHES IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF RANGPUR DIVISION

Abstract

A study was conducted to analyze and describe the availability, price and marketing system of dry fishes in Rangpur region. This study was based on a sample survey of 80 dry fish retailers of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Panchagarh and Thakurgaon and 50 wholesalers of Chittagang, Rangpur and Saidpur. The fieldwork covered the period from January, 2013 to June, 2013. Mainly middle aged peoples were involved in this business. The main source of dry fishes for wholesale markets was Chittagang and Khulna and source for the retailers were Saidpur and Rangpur markets. Twenty two types of dry fishes were indentified in Rangpur region of which 15 were fresh water and 7 marine water fish species. It was estimated that the price of dry fishes varies from 215 Tk/ kg to 914 Tk/kg depends on species and quality of the fish. The average income of the dry fish trader ranged between 225 Tk to 437.5 Tk per day. Railway, bus, train, and rickshaw were used for transporting dry fishes. Many problems of the dry fish marketing in Rangpur region was identified such as higher transportation cost, lack of capital, lack of storage facilities, higher loan interest etc and possible measures are suggested for gradual removal of these problems with the help of related administration of the government.