Pond aquaculture in oxbow lakes of Bangladesh with emphasis on the involvement of women | |
| Author | Kibria, Md. Ghulam |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-99-08 |
| Subject(s) | Pond aquaculture--Bangladesh Women in agriculture--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-99-08 |
| Abstract | Most Bangladeshi people depend on fish as major source of animal protein. In Bangladesh there are about 1.36 million pond covering 1.47 million ha area. About 50-60% of the ponds are utilized for fish culture but others are derelict. A total of 600 oxbow lakes are located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, covering 5,488 ha. Pond aquaculture for women was introduced in oxbow lakes over the last 30 months to allow their active participation in aquaculture as a livelihood activity. This study was conducted in two selected oxbow lakes; Jessore district to assess the technological & socio-economic effects of FFG (Fish farming group) pond aquaculture in oxbow lakes with emphasis on the involvement of women. A total of 90 FFG households from two-selected oxbow lake's (Hamidpur and Koikhali) FFG ponds and 30 private pond owner were interviewed (15 per lake) around the oxbow lakes to compare with FFG ponds during the field survey. Three categories of questions (socio-economic, technological and gender) were asked of FFG members but only socio-economic and technology were asked of private pond owners. There were 97% & 79% of FFG fishers from Hamidpur and Koikhali lake; respectfully, remaining after the project phased out. The educational level of private pond owners was better than that of FFG members. However, clothing, food/accommodation and bank deposits increased more among the FFG members than private pond owners. Most of the FFG members were daily labors, before fish culture but most private pond owners worked in agriculture and were employed in business. The major source of income of the FFG was from fish farming and working labor but the private pond owners was from agriculture and business. The private pond owners were associated with different local agencies but the FFG members were linked with only one local major organization Ansar VDP. The FFG members utilized credit for pond farming and small shops, received from NGOs, but private pond owners received very few loans from NGOs. The private pond owners had high amount of livestock than the FFG members. The social conflicts were higher among FFG members than private pond owners. The FFG members were more experienced in fish culture than private pond owners. The FFG members and the private pond owners mostly obtained fingerling from the local hatchery rather than from the river. Most of FFG members stocked species at specific rates but the private pond owners did not follow any particular system. Most of FFG members applied feed and fe1tilizers in the pond but not at proper doses but few private pond owners applied any feed and fe1tilizers. Private pond owner's fish production was mostly for household consumption but FFG member's produced fish was mainly for sale. The fish yield (kg/ha/culture period) of the private ponds was lower than those of Hamidpur and Koikhali lake FFGs pond production. Also the fish yields of Koikhali lake ponds were higher than those of Hamidpur lake ponds. The fish yield of both two lakes deteriorated due to two times flood occurred which break down the poor pond dikes. The Constraints of private pond owners differed from those of FFG members: predation by wild fish, poaching and fish disease; and fish loss to the lake due to flood, fish disease and lack ofITK, respectively. Private pond owners received no government and NGO training but the FFG members received a lot of fish culture training by the project. The FFG female members of Hamidpur lake had less previous experience in working outside than Koikhali lake. The degree of willingness to work outside with males was higher among Koikhali lake FFG members than those of Hamidpur. The degree of embarrassment to work outside among Hamidpur lake FFG members was higher than those of Koikhali lake. The role of husbands in pond farming in Hamidpur lake pond was better than in Koikhali lake. The social dignity (knowledge of fish culture, decision-making, access to market and dealing with officials) of women FFG members of Hamidpur lake increased more after joining fish culture than those of Koikhali lake. The role of women in pond farming at Hamidpur lake was better than that of Koikhali lake. The rate of dropout of FFG members was higher at Koikhali lake due to male dominance, disinterest in pond farming, financial crisis and religious constraints than at Hamidpur lake The disruptive role of local elite (Chairman/influential person),GO, NGOs and project officials was higher with Koikhali lake FFG members than with those of Hamidpur lake. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) and BRAC should take immediate measures for proper rehabilitation of poor pond dikes. Also they should provide training, extension and awareness services for private pond owners surrounding the lakes. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-99-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Edwards, Peter;Kelkar, Govind; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Demaine, Harvey; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Royal Danish Government (DANIDA-AIT Cooperation Program 1994-1999); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |