The Study on Fish Marketing in Some Selected Areas of Chuadanga District

Abstract

Inland fish is an important source of animal protein which can solve the problem of nutrition, earn considerable foreign exchange, extend productive employment and play a great role in the economy of Bangladesh. To make inland fish available at a reasonable price to the ultimate consumer, studies on inland fish marketing are essential for improving the marketing system. The study is based on a sample survey of twenty-five fishermen from two villages of Chuadanga Sadar in Chuadanga District and seventy-five traders from Rail Bazar and Sarojgang Bazar. The study examined marketing channels, costs and margins, marketing problems and also suggested some measures for the improvement of the marketing system. In the study area, two marketing channels were identified. One was Fishermen-Aratdars-Paikers-Consumers and the other was Fishermen-Aratdars-Paikers-Retailers-Consumers. Transportation facilities like van, shoulder load, head load and Nocimon are used to carry fish by the fishermen, while train, truck, rickshaw, Nocimon, shoulder load and head load are used by intermediaries.The average marketing cost per quintal of fish incurred by the fishermen was estimated to be Tk. 230, while the average marketing cost per quintal of fish incurred by the intermediaries of Rail Bazar and Sarojgang Bazar was Tk. 342.22 and Tk. 454.60, respectively. The marketing margin per quintal of fish for Aratdars and Paikers was calculated at Tk. 437 and Tk. 647, respectively, at Rail Bazar, while the marketing margin per quintal of fish for Aratdars, Paikers and Retailers was calculated at Tk. 319, Tk. 551 and Tk. 506, respectively, at Sarojgang. The profit for Paikers was the highest (11.39%), while the profit for Aratdars was 7.44% at Rail Bazar. On the other hand, the profit for Paikers was also the highest (10.36%), while the profit for Aratdars and Retailers was 5.09% and 7.18%, respectively, in Sarojgang. As a whole, the Paikers of Rail Bazar and Sarojgang earned more profit than all other traders. In channel I, fishermen received about 75.90% of the retail price, and in channel II, fishermen received about 68.80% of the retail price. This indicates that the fishermen's share decreases with the increase of intermediaries in the marketing channel. Fishermen and intermediaries faced a number of problems such as poor transportation, low price, lack of storage, financing, lack of weighing systems, assessment of market tolls, lack of marketing facilities, as well as political instability. Measures are also suggested to improve the situation.