Present status of integrated aquaculture in some selected areas of Nilphamari District in Bangladesh

Abstract

A yearlong study was conducted to observe the present status of integrated aquaculture in Nilphamari district of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 76 farmers using a questionnaire. Three different types of integrated aquaculture systems were observed: rice-fish culture (46%), fish-horticulture (33%), and fish-poultry culture (21%). Fishes were cultured in polyculture systems. Banana, papaya, vegetables etc. were planted in pond dikes. Other important findings were: age of most farmers (76%) - between 41 and 60 years, the highest percentage of educational qualification - class eight (40%), trained farmers (66%), and average farm size - 0.29 ha. Major problems were low water retention capacity of the soil, lack of quality seeds, lack of capital, high labor cost, insufficient extension services etc. Integrated aquaculture practices were at the preliminary stage in the study areas. Therefore, the socio-economic conditions of the farmers can be uplifted by adopting improved farming systems through integrated approaches.