AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT STATE AND FUTURE POTENTIAL OF BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY IN PANCHAGARH DISTRICT

Abstract

The present study was conducted to know the current state and future potential of biofloc technology in the Panchagarh district that cover five upazilas such as Panchagarh sadar, Tentulia, Debiganj, Boda and Atwari starting from July to December 2022. The study was done by analyzing socio-demographic characteristics, farming practices, and challenges faced by local farmers. Data were collected from 55 biofloc farmers through surveys and interviews. The findings revealed that 62.5% of respondents were young farmers aged between 21-30 years, with 40.5% having graduated from formal education systems. The majority (80.58%) hailed from nuclear families, while 74.54% did not hold any organizational membership. Fish culture (30.58%) and biofloc farming (20.32%) were identified as major occupations. Biofloc culture was predominantly practiced by farmers with 7 to 12 months of experience (51.58%), although 70.35% lacked formal training before initiating farming. Most farms (56.36%) operated on areas less than one decimal, with 55.58% having one or two tanks constructed primarily from cement (83.63%). Groundwater was the main water source (92.48%), and partial water exchange practices were widely adopted. Farmers used synthetic probiotics such as Pond Care (40.8%), Protox Aqua (22.81%), Aqua photo (17.32%), Dellomax (10.94%) and Ecopond (6.13%). The preferred tank shapes were rectangular (50.85%) and circular (35.6%), with a depth ranging between 4 to 6 feet. Despite challenges such as technical (50%) and financial (22.75%) difficulties, biofloc farmers reported fish production rates of 301-400 kg per cycle in 38.12% of cases. Diseases, particularly fungal (45.9%) and bacterial (34.5%), posed significant threats. Total harvesting was preferred by 61.82% of farmers, and most sales (52.72%) were made to wholesalers. The findings highlight the promising but challenging adoption of biofloc technology in the district. Investments in farmer training, disease management, and financial support can foster sustainable aquaculture practices and enhance productivity in Panchagarh.