MARKETING SYSTEM OF CAPTURED FISH IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF GAIBANDHA SADAR

Abstract

A survey was conducted on Gaibandha Sadar fish marketing system in some selected areas to determine the socio-economic profile, marketing channels of fish trading, marketing margins, consumer price share by fish farmer and other intermediaries and factors that affect marketing margin of the fish traders, therefore, identify the problems and suggestions for its improvement. The research was carried out at Gaibandha town's several markets from October 2020 to February 2021. A total of 120 fish dealers (Fish Farmer, Bepari, Aratdar, and Retailers) equally from three markets were selected through purposive sampling. A significant number of people in Gaibandha district engaged as beparis, aratdars, and retailers in the fish trading sector. The farmer traded fish to bepari. The fish was subsequently sold to the retailer via aratdar. Retailers served as the final link in the fish marketing chain, interacting directly with customers. In the study region, for aratdar, the entire expense of fish was found to be Tk. 154.96, TK.438.96 fish farmer, Tk. 646.96 for Bepari, and retailer, Tk.228.46 per quintal of fish. Among them, Beparis value-added cost is the highest as a result of higher aratdar commission and transportation charges, although Aratdar has the lowest value-added cost. Bepari average net profit was Tk.3436 and Aratdar’s' average net profit was Tk.221.54 and the Retailers' average net profit was Tk.3851.54. It was observed that market Channel – II is the longest route than channel-I and channel-III. On aggregate, fish farmers obtain 49.3% of the price paid by consumers, implying that intermediaries gain 51% of the consumer price. Among 13 variables included in the multiple regression model, transportation, loading and unloading, icing, electricity, personal expense wage, wastages, sale & cost price, other expense are found significantly affecting the marketing margin of fish traders. Traders and customers faced a lot of problems. The upgrading of fish transport facilities, the accessibility of loans, and the implementation of fish quality control procedures, awareness about fish marketing system is proposed in order to enhance the fish marketing system and uplift the socioeconomic condition of stakeholders in the study areas.