Socioeconomic Status of Pond Fish Farmers of Charbata, Noakhali, Bangladesh

Research Paper Freshwater fish farming has become a promising and gainful methodology to attain self-sufficiency in food sector and also to create diverse livelihood opportunities of rural people in Bangladesh. Information on socioeconomic framework of the fish farmers forms a good base for successful implementation of developmental program of the economically backward sector. The present study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic status of fish farmers of the Charbata union from May to August 2010. Data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire from the selected area. Most of the fish farmers were belonged to the age groups of 36 to 50 years (46%), represented by 82% Muslim. About 18% had no education while 16%, 42%, 14% and 10% had primary, secondary, higher secondary and bachelor level of education respectively. About 6% and 36% of fish farmers were involved in fish farming as their primary and secondary occupation, respectively. The average annual income of the highest percentage (34%) of the fish farmers were BDT 75,000 to 1,00,000. About 74% the of fish farmers received health service from village doctors and remaining 22% and 4% got health service from upazila health complex and MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) doctors respectively. The provision of training facilities was insufficient as only 14% of the fish farmers received formal training on fish farming. About 94% of the fish farmers reported, their socioeconomic conditions were improved through fish farming. Poor knowledge on fish farming, high price of fish feed, poor marketing facilities and lack of money for fish farming was identified as the major constraints.