Problems and prospects of fish farming in the Chattogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh: Community-based aquaculture might be a right choice

Abstract

The study was carried out in Matiranga Upazila, Bandarban district, which is considered one of Bangladesh's major hill tract regions. The study aimed to identify present farming conditions, prospects, and problems and suitable solutions to the problems of fish farming. Different participatory rapid appraisal tools such as focus group discussion, field visits, and farmers' interviews were used to collect relevant fish farming information in the study area. The polyculture method was the most practised aquaculture method. Among the selected farms, eleven fish species were identified as culture species. The transportation cost for seeds purchased from remote areas was high (11% of total seed cost). The average transportation-related mortality of fish fry and fingerlings was 7.2% and 2.8%. Feed cost was found as the major cost (58.4%) in aquaculture. Costs and revenue for fish production per decimal varied from BDT 311 to 3528 and BDT 23 to 1268. Utilization of vacant lake, youth and women engagement, integrated aquaculture, the desire of people to engage in aquaculture, and available human resources were found as significant prospects. The major problems identified were lack of hatchery, high feed cost, lack of stakeholder linkage, lack of capital for fish farming, and lack of proper knowledge, guidelines, and consultancy for fish culture. A community-based aquaculture model was proposed to overcome the present challenges and problems in the study area. The model may help to expand aquaculture and thus improve the livelihood and socio-economic status of the people of the hilly areas of Bangladesh.

Keywords

• Hilly area
• Aquaculture model
• Tribal people
• Fish farming prospects