CONTRIBUTION OF FISH FARMING TO UPLIFT LIVELIHOOD CONDITION OF FISH FARMER AT SURROUNDINGS OF OLD BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER

The present study was conducted to assess the livelihood status of fish farmers and socioeconomic condition at old Brahmaputra River plain, Mymensingh sadar upazila, Mymensingh Bangladesh. Data were collected from 30 fish farmers for a period of six months from January to June, 2018. The study indicated that, 12 (40%) were 30-40 years old, 27 farmers (90%) were Muslims and others Hindu (10%). Majority (23 farmers) respondents had concrete house and rest of (7 farmers) had semi-concrete house. Almost (63.33%) farmers used concrete toilet and rest of farmers used semi-concrete (36.67%). All the respondents used to drink tube well water for drinking and other household works. Out of 30 fish farmers, 6.67% had no education (illiterate), 46.67% had secondary level (up to X), 26.67% had S.S.C. level, 10% had H.S.C. level and 10% had bachelor level of education. It was found that, 80% farmers had training on fish farming and rest 20% farmers had no training on fish farming. Among 30 farmers 66.67% farmers were found used to invest their own credit and rest 33.33% farmers took loan from bank, NGO, money lender and broker agency. The highest income was 6000 USD/year and the lowest income from a pond was 300 USD/year. Almost 93.33% farmers were used to go MBBS doctor and only 6.67% to homeopathic treatment. The study also revealed some constrain regarding fish farming and there is enormous scope to uplift the livelihood condition of these farmer.