Production analysis of composite fish culture in drought prone areas of Purulia: The implication of financial constraint

Purulia is a drought-prone and socio-economically underdeveloped district in West Bengal. Resource-poor social groups dominate the population with high incidence of poverty. The Bengal Accelerated Development Minor Irrigation Project (WBADMIP), flagship project Govt. Bengal, India, supported by World Bank, took initiative Northeast to develop composite culture carps as viable livelihood option for this section people. WBADMIP incentives on 172 water bodies revealed that training farmers manage resources inputs was crucial succeed carps. developed corpus fund out profit generated from each body motivated start independently. This study limited financial capacity could not achieve targeted production when they started independently, despite proper training. Attempts were made solve management maximize under constraints. We analyzed process three-stage decision support system: pre-analysis screen 137 based ideal duration (>10 months) depth (>4 ft) followed TOPSIS Shanon entropy analysis select 73 best bodies. Then, regression analyses these made. Production derived quadratic equation found close actual Finally, we solved constraint optimization explore variations total conditions. It cost seed (fingerlings) supplementary feed principal constraints resource-poor farmers. While linearly increased investment quality formulated feed, expenditure principally purchase fingerlings feed. their if would restrict stocking density 5000 per ha share part capital purchasing However, are unable procure an adequate quantity excess input organic fertilizers along amount inorganic can be cost-effective practice optimize resource poor independent