Management and Economics of Different Polyculture Systems in Monirampur Upazilla, Jessore: A Field Survey for the Most Profitable Culture Practice

Abstract

To identify a profitable polyculture system, a field survey was conducted in 62 farms in Monirampur Upazilla under the district of Jessore during June to December 2009. A questionnaire was used to collect relevant information through interviews, which included the physical condition of the farms, pre- and post-stocking management, production, and cost-benefit analysis of different polyculture systems. In the surveyed area, about 43.55% of farmers were found to practice polyculture of different finfish species, whereas about 51.61% of farmers were found to practice polyculture of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and other finfish species, and only 4.84% of farmers were found to practice polyculture of pangus fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and other finfish species. Most of the farms were prepared through drying of bottom mud, repair of dikes, removal of undesirable aquatic weeds, and predator species. Urea, TSP, cow dung, and oilcake were widely used as fertilizers during pre- and post-stocking periods. Pellet feed was used as supplementary feed along with others such as rice bran, broken rice, oilcake, wheat flour, etc. Production levels of the farms were found to depend on the management system, feeding practice, and fertilization of the farms. The species composition of the stock varied according to the target species of the culture. The stocking rate of the target species remained high in the surveyed area. It was observed from the survey that among the different polyculture practices, pangus (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fish culture along with other finfish species like rohu, catla, mrigal, and common carp attained the highest profit, ranging from Tk. 186,750 to Tk. 304,000 per hectare. Whereas, polyculture of different finfish species attained profit ranging from Tk. 34,700 to Tk. 59,800 per hectare, and polyculture of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) along with different finfish species attained profit ranging from Tk. 63,050 to Tk. 118,600 per hectare. Lack of sufficient capital was found to be a major problem of the farmers, which is hindering the progress of aquaculture in Monirampur Upazilla.