INVESTIGATION OF THE LIVELIHOOD CONDITIONS OF FISH FARMERS IN FENI DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the socioeconomic status and mode of subsistence of fish farmers in the six Upazillas of the Feni area. From June to October 2017, data was gathered from 30 randomly selected fish producers in 6 Upazillas (five from each Upazilla) through personal visits and questionnaires.

Excel and SPSS were the statistical tools utilized for data analysis and computation. The majority of the fishing communities were made up of people between the ages of 20 and 45, 93.33% of whom were Muslims. About 16.6% of fishers were primary level, 43.4% secondary level, and 30% Higher Secondary School Certificate passed and above, respectively. Among fish farmers surveyed in the study area, sanitary conditions (46.67%), drinking water (93.33%), and electrical facilities (96.67%) were judged to be at a satisfactory level. In the study area, the average farm size was found 349.52 hectares. The highest income category among fish farmer groups was 50,000–1,20,000 BDT/year, and very few of them took out loans from other institutions. That farmers have improved their socio-economic conditions through pond fish farming, as confirmed by 80% of surveyed fish-farmers. The main obstacles in the research area for fish farming were multiple ownership, lack of technical knowledge and lack of marketing facilities.