AN ECONOMICS ANALYSIS OF POND FISH CULTURE IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF SATKHIRA DISTRIC

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the costs, returns and profitability of pond fish farming. A total of 50 pond fish farmers were selected randomly from Chandanpur and Sonabaria union at KalaroaUpazila under Satkhira district. Both tabular and statistical analysis were done to perform the objectives of the study. It was estimated that per hectare gross cost of pond fish production was Tk.2136878.5 in which human labour, fingerlings, feed, fertilizer, insecticide, irrigation, mechanical cost, land use cost and cost on interest on operating capital items represented 1.15, 3.00, 88.00, 0.38, 0.25, 0.26, 0.51, 5.41 and 1.00 percent respectively.While gross return and net return were Tk. 3017973.4 and TK. 881094.9 per hectare respectively. The results of this study helped to know that pond fish production was profitable in the study areas. Cobb-Douglas production function was also applied to identify the specific effects of the factors on pond fish production. Out of seven variables, threevariables human labour,irrigation, fingerlings costare positive and significant impact on pond fish production. The study also helped to realize some problems faced by the fish farmers in producing pond fish. The results suggested that if the problems could be solved, all the selected farmers could earn a much higher profit than the existing level. Finally, as apolicy measures, it may be suggested that pond farmers should be provided with, fingerlings, credit, training and reasonable product price for sustainable development of the enterprise. Some recommendations were made to improve culture and management of pond fish farming.