USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES BY THE FARMERS IN FISH FARMING AT TRISHAL UPAZILA

Abstract

Fish are a source of cheap protein to many rural communities in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, very few fish farmers are not willing to adopt modern fish farming technologies in order to boost fish production. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of use of selected fish farming modern technologies by fish farmers and to explore the relationship between selected characteristics of the farmers and their use of modern fish farming technologies. The selected characteristics were age, education, family size, fish farm size, annual fish farming income, training received in fish farming, fish farming experience, social mobility, contact with extension media, organizational participation and knowledge of farmer on fish farming. Data were gathered from proportionally and randomly selected 101 respondents (farmers) of Trishal Upazila under Mymensingh district by using a pretested interview schedule and the entire process of collecting data was completed in July to December, 2022. Apart from descriptive statistical methods, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient analysis was used in order to analyse the data. Data revealed that highest portion (46.53 percent) of the fish farmers had medium use of selected fish farming technologies, while 20.79 percent had low use and 32.67 percent had high use of the selected fish farming technologies. So, it can be said that there was scope to increase the use of modern fish farming technologies in the study area. Out of eleven selected characteristics of the fish farmers, education, fish farm size, annual fish farming income, fish farming experience, training received and knowledge on fish farming had positive and significant relationship with their use of modern fish farming technologies. On the other side, age, family size, social mobility, extension media contact and organizational participation had no significant relationship with the farmer's use of modern fish farming technologies. The pond owners faced such major problems as fish diseases, lack of quality feed and other chemicals, transportation problem, high investment etc. Modern fish farming technologies need to be fully embraced to raise both food and nutrition security particularly in rural communities. It is recommended that attempts should be taken by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and other fisheries advisory service providing organizations to increase the knowledge and practice of the farmers on fish farming by providing necessary trainings and motivations.