MIDTERM REPORT - Blue Gold Program - Blue Gold Program

Augmenting homestead Pangasius, Pangasianodon

hypophthalmus aquaculture productivity in three Upazillas

of Patuakhali region through community participation

MIDTERM REPORT

4 November 2018

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Acknowledgments

The piloting study on "Augmenting homestead Pangasius, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

aquaculture productivity in three Upazillas of Patuakhali region through community

participation" has been conducted with the financial support of the Netherlands Government

through the Innovation Grants of the Blue Gold Program under Bangladesh Water Development

Board (BWDB). We are thankful to the BlueGold Team Members both at Dhaka and Patuakhali

for the support in implememntation of the project work. We also acknowledge the contribution of

Blue Gold Project beneficiaries i.e. farmers group in Patuakhali region for their heartful support.

Disclaimer

These are the views and expressions of the author (Innovision Agro Service Ltd.), and do not

necessarily represent the view of the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka or the Blue Gold program.

Citation

Innovision Agro Service Ltd. 2018. Midterm Report on Project "Augmenting homestead

Pangasius aquaculture productivity in three Upazillas of Patuakhali through community

participation". Submitted to BlueGold Program. Blue Gold Program & Bangladesh Water

Development Board, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 19 p.

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Augmenting homestead Pangasius, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

aquaculture productivity in three Upazillas of Patuakhali region

through community participation

1. Background

The fishery sector in Bangladesh contributes around 3.61 per cent to GDP (DoF 2017). In

addition to being a source of animal nutrients, fish is also a major part of Bangladesh

culture. Some 18 million people of a total population of 155 million are estimated to be

either directly or indirectly employed in the fishery sector, and 73 per cent of rural

households are involved in aquaculture (World Bank 2017). Bangladesh is the fourth

largest inland captures producer in the world and the fifth largest aquaculture producer.

During 1985–2013, annual average growth in fish production was 5.36 per cent, largely

driven by the expansion in inland aquaculture fisheries, which grew at a rate of 10.16 per

cent (FAO 2017).

The growth of aquaculture in Bangladesh has been fuelled by important research findings

from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), which has developed and

disseminated 60 different fish farming technologies and management techniques. The

breakthrough in aquaculture technology development has opened a new horizon for self

employment, income generation and poverty reduction for resource poor rural population

of the country.

Homestead aquaculture occurs as a small component of the larger household farming

system. In rural Bangladesh possess a small pond close to their homestead. Baseline

survey data from five coastal districts of southern Bangladesh by the Cyclone Affected

Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project (CAARP), showed average pond size to be just 0.039

ha (WorldFish 2008). Aquaculture play a important role as a form of insurance which

reduces vulnerability and enhances resilience to circumstances likely to precipitate

poverty, rather than as a transformative livelihood activity. Numerous development

projects have promoted simple ‘improved’ management strategies, such as regular

application of fertilizers and feeds, and the stocking of fish species in combinations and

densities designed to move the production system from extensive to semi-intensive.

When followed consistently, these relatively simple steps have been shown to reliably

boost levels of production from less than 1 ton/ha to more than 3 ton/ha, thereby raising

pond yields, household incomes and the availability of fish for consumption (Belton

2011).

Fish production from inland culture and capture fishery of Patuakhali is far below from

Barisal and Bhola districts under Barisal Division. Although hilsa is dominated in capture

fishery and export to capital markets, cultured species like Pangasius is imported from

other districts. Most of the ponds in Patuakhali district is under traditional culture system

(Debnath et al. 2012). Lack of knowledge on fish culture is the main cause of the less

production from pond aquaculture practices. This not only hampers the overall fish

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production but also hampers the fish demand fulfillment as well as the economy of the

region. The aquaculture productivity of Patuakhali will be increased like other

aquaculture hubs of the country like Mymensingh, through an intervention in aquaculture

practice in the region.

Pangasius aquaculture in Bangladesh has improved the economic and social status of a

variety of stakeholders in communities where the fish is farmed. Farming of the striped

catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is a major aquaculture activity in aquaculture

district of Mymensingh. The mean productivity of pangasius is 37 ton/ha, where 87.9%

of the farms produced between 15 and 65 ton/ha of pangasius (Ali et al. 2012). Pangasius

are typically reared for 7-8 months, and harvested at 0.6-1.0 kg, with better capitalized

farms generally opting to culture longer as larger fish obtain a better market price.

Introduction of improved Pangasius aquaculture technology could increased the

production rate to at least 15 ton/ha. The proven technology of Pangasius culture should

be demonstrated in the homestead ponds of Patuakhali region.

Feed costs generally constitute the highest single operational cost in aquaculture

production and it accounts for 82% of total production costs, with an average food

conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.04 (Munir 2009). In small scale aquaculture, women are

participating in fish feed preparation from locally available ingredients and feed

application in their households. Moreover, homestead aquaculture offers opportunities for

women, because ponds are often constructed adjacent to the homestead in which women

routinely engage. Pond aquaculture is an appropriate entry point for empowerment of

women (IFAD 2006). ‘Raw’ unformulated feeds- most importantly rice bran and, to a

lesser degree, mustard oil cake-are widely used throughout Bangladesh in homestead

aquaculture.

Feasibility study on Pangasius aquaculture in three Upazills of Patuakhali region viz.

Galachipa, Amtoli and Kalapara showed that farmers are quite interested to do culture of

Pangasius, although right production technology is not available to their doorstep. A

field survey among the Upazillas identified suitable homestead ponds with an average

area of 22-26 decimal. It was also found that, in average daily 6 tons live Pangasius

marketed in Patuakhali district from Khulna region revealed consumers demand with a

higher price of Tk. 94/kg in comparison to major Pangasius culture zone of

Mymensingh, where price ranged between Tk. 68-72/kg. Hatchery for Pangasius seed

production in the area and available quality fish feed ingredients like fish meal, rice bran

(auto), sunflower meal will contributes in low-cost farm made fish feeding to develop a

farmers friendly Pangasius aquaculture practices in the targeted areas. Moreover, current

massive development works in the Patuakhali coast requires a culture-based fisheries to

fulfil the future demand of low to medium class consumers, which may not be enough

from the present riverine fish species i.e. Hilsa (Feasibility Report of May 2018by

Innovision Agro Service Ltd.).

Increasing food and nutrition security, augmenting cash income for household expenses

and utilization of family labor are the major issues of the rural poor. The role of small-

scale aquaculture in household food and nutrition security, income generation and

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empowerment of women and marginalized communities has been increasingly

appreciated in recent years. Fish has been considered as “Living Cash” and a pond as a

“Savings Bank” because fish can be caught and sold whenever cash is needed. Hence, the

proposed project will focused on increased aquaculture production especially Pangasius

aquaculture from homestead pond culture system using improved culture and

management technologies.

2. Objectives of the study

• To adopt the Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture culture

technique in the homestead farming system;

• To assess the effects of technology adoption in household income and animal protein

supply to local community; and

• To facilitate transfer of technology by strengthening the linkage among technology

innovator, farmers, and NGOs i.e. Blue Gold.

3. Work plan and activity chart

Activity Duration

(Months)

Planned cumulative

% completion

1. Selection of ponds and pond preparation 0.5 10

2. Farmers training 0.25 5

3. Procurement of inputs (fingerlings, feeds) 6 25

4. Stocking and start rearing 0.5 5

5. Data collection 7 25

6. Expose visit to Mymensingh Aquaculture Zone 0.25 5

7. Field day 0.25 5

8. Analysis of the findings, report preparation and

presentation (workshop)

0.5 10

Activity Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

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4. Output

After the successful completion of the proposed activities following out puts/benefits

might be occurred:

• Opportunities will be created to adopt improved culture techniques of the given

species.

• Farmers will be more interested to fish culture in their unused water bodies

• Maximum utilization of the exiting household water bodies

• More fish hatcheries of Pangasius will be established to fulfill the demand of this

species.

• Fish production will be increased in southern region from culture of Pangasius, as it

contributed more than 20% of total fish production in the country.

5. Activities Performed

5.1 Contact Signing

Contact signing between Innovision Agro Service Ltd. and Blue Gold was done on 10

June at Dhaka.

Fig. 1. Contact signing ceremony.

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5.2 Field visit to select pond

Adaptive trials of Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture has been

conducted in 3 Upazillas of Patuakhali region (Amtoli, Galachipa and Kalapara) under

Blue Gold Program Polders (Polder 43 of BWDB). Ten ponds from each Upazilla under

Blue Golder Program members were selected for this pilot study (Table 1). Following

criteria’s were set up for pond selection during field visit:

• Blue Gold WMG member

• No risk of flood

• Easily recognizable for people

• Adjacent to road side

• Water holding capacity is high

• Farmers attitude to fish culture practice

The pond size selected varied from 0.05-0.10 ha (10-25 decimal) each having a depth of

152-213 cm (5-6 feet). The selected ponds were prepared following standard procedure

of pond prepration for aquaculture. Pond stocking was completed during 6-10 July 2018.

A stocking density of 100 fingerlings/decimal with 80 Pangasius, 5 carps & 15 tilapias

was maintained.

Fig. 2. Selected typical aquacultue pond.

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Cultured fishes has been fed with farm made feed made from locally available feed

ingredients i.e. fish meal, oil cake, auto rice bran, wheat bran etc. (maintaining 25%

protein). Wheat flour was used as binder and Vitamin & Mineral premix was added to

enhance the feed quality. Samples of fish ingredients were analysed for proximate

composition and subsequently feed formulation.

Table 1. List of farmers selected for piloting study

Sl.

No Farmers' Name Village Union Upazila WMG

Polder

No.

Mobile

Number

Pond

Area

(Decimal)

1 Pannaya Mridha Shakaria Atharogachia Amtoli 250 43/1A 01730 220 555 14

2 Razzak Peyada Shakaria Atharogachia Amtoli 109 43/1A 01782 611 571 10

3 Kahinor Begum Shakaria Atharogachia Amtoli 256 43/1A 01705 111 987 25

4 Ibrahim Mridha Shakaria Atharogachia Amtoli 35 43/1A 01727 465 363 21

5 Siddiqur Rahman Gulbaria Atharogachia Amtoli 79 43/1A 01761 438 438 10

6 Jakaria Dhalachara) Gulishakhali Amtoli 8 43/2F 01726 317 975 8

7 Rezwan Hawlader Dhalachara) Gulishakhali Amtoli 96 43/2F 01757 435 356 12

8 Zabber Hawlader Dhalachara) Gulishakhali Amtoli 108 43/2F 01718 452 339 8

9 Faruque Dhalachara) Gulishakhali Amtoli 12 43/2F 01728 415 700 13

10

Abdus Sattor

Gorami Dhalachara) Gulishakhali Amtoli 127 43/2F 01726 317 975 18

11 Md. Jalil Mira Bashbaria Kalagachia Golachipa 241 55/2C 01723 473 645 12

12

Md. Hamaet

Hawlader Bashbaria Kalagachia Golachipa 300 55/2C 01713 952 378 15

13

Md. Shajahan

Hawlader Bashbaria Kalagachia Golachipa 290 55/2C 01782 190 656 15

14

Md. Basir Uddin

Mollah Bashbaria Kalagachia Golachipa 301 55/2C 01712 225 121 13

15 Md. Kabir Hossen Bashbaria Kalagachia Golachipa 302 55/2C 01790 761 687 12

16 Shampa Rani Kallaynkalas Kalagachia Golachipa 20 55/2C 01736 981 433 15

17 Nidhu Rani Das Kallaynkalas Kalagachia Golachipa 18 55/2C 01731 252 420 16

18 Mukta Rani Kallaynkalas Kalagachia Golachipa 121 55/2C 01875 575 474 14

19

Mst. Nazma

Begum Kallaynkalas Kalagachia Golachipa 34 55/2C 01725 898 430 18

20 Md. Oliul Islam Kallaynkalas Kalagachia Golachipa 178 55/2C 01713 869 035 10

21 Kalam Fakir Tagachia Mithagonj Kolapara 250 47/3 01760 770 181 20

22 Fatema Begum Tagachia Mithagonj Kolapara 90 47/3 01732 374 668 11

23 Dulufa Begum Tagachia Mithagonj Kolapara 46 47/3 01745 465 266 14

24 Sulaiman Fakir Tagachia Mithagonj Kolapara 79 47/3 01721 676 294 7

25 Anwar Hossen Tulatoli Baliatoli Kolapara 4 47/4 01733 165 185 14

26 Siraj Sikder Musullibad Baliatoli Kolapara 273 47/4 01764 142 481 23

27

Akteuzzaman

Mollah Musullibad Baliatoli Kolapara 158 47/4 01716 174 802 25

28 Abdul Aziz Khan Musullibad Baliatoli Kolapara 180 47/4 01747 428 811 11

29 Billal Kankunipara Baliatoli Kolapara 47/4 01718 975 317 15

30 Imran Hossain Haripara Baliatoli Kolapara 446 47/4 01717 119 913 20

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5.3 Appointment of Field Supervisors & Project Manager

Three experienced Field Supervirors from local community and a Project Manager were

appointed for the piloting activities.

5.4 Pond stocking with Pangasius fingerlings

Good quality and sized Pangasius fingerlings were collected from local nursery operator

at Amtoli and stocked in selected ponds in presence of Project Manager and Experts.

Project beneficeries were actively involved in pond stocking process.

Fig. 3. Pangasius fingerlings collection and stocking in pond.

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5.5 Farmers Training

A day long farmers training programme on “Improved Pangasius Culture Practices at

Homestead Pond” for the beneficiaries of the project was held at CODEC Training

Center, Patuakhali Sadar on 7 July. The training programme was inaugurated by Mr.

Amirul Hussain, Superintend Engineer & PCD, BlueGold Programme under BWBD. Dr.

Md. Rahmat Ali, Deputy Chief, BWDB and Mr. Tanvir Islam, Value Chain/Fisheries

Expert, BlueGold and Mr. Robiul Islam, Regional Coordinator, BlueGold, Patuakhali

were present in the training programme. The training programme was conducted by the

experts on Pangasius aquaculture from Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute,

Mymensingh. Among other, District Fisheries Officer of Barguna, Mr. Md. Sahed Ali

and Senior Upazilla Fisheries Officer of Kalapara, Mr. Kamrul Hasan attended the

training programme as trainers. Project Manager and 3 Field Supervisors under the

project were also participated the day long training programme.

Fig. 4. Pangasius aquaculture training for the project beneficieries.

The inaugural ceremony of day long farmers training was chaired by District Fisheries

Officer of Barguna, Mr. Md. Sahed Ali. Mr. Amirul Hussain, Superintend Engineer &

PCD, BlueGold Programme under BWBD was the Chief Guest in the inaugural

ceremony. Dr. Md. Rahmat Ali, Deputy Chief, BWDB and Mr. Tanvir Islam, Value

Chain/Fisheries Expert, BlueGold Programme were present as Special Guest in the

inaugural ceremony. Mr. Rafiqul Islam Akanda, Executive Director, Innovision Agro

Service Ltd. was act as moderator in the inaugural session. The farmers training was

started with the recitation of Holy Quran. After that all the participant introduced

themselves. Three pond owners from 3 respective Upazillas briefly described their

participations in the homestead Pangasius aquaculture productivity programme. They

thanked BlueGold Programme for the opportunities to become a successful fish farmer

and lauded that they will do their best for the successful completion of the project.

A short manual on “Improved Pangasius Culture Practices at Homestead Pond” was

provided to each farmer as a guide.

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Fig. 5. Training activities at CODEC Center, Patuakhali on improved Pangasius aquaculture.

After inauguration, subject-wise training course was conducted by the two experts from

BFRI. The training subject included pond preparation, fish fry stocking, water quality

management, fish rearing, fish feeds preparation and feeding, fish diseases, pond

management, marketing etc. District Fisheries Officer and Senior Upazilla Fisheries

Officer also conducted training classes in the programme.

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Fig. 6. Field visit by the BlueGold Project Management Team at Patuakhali.

Later the team member visited few ponds under the project including Mrs. Kohinoor

Begum pond at Amtoli, Barguna. The team members were satisfied with the project

activities during their field visit and assured all over support for implementation of the

project.

5.6 Fish Feed Formulation & Pond Management

Cultured fishes were fed with farm made feed with locally available feed ingredients i.e.

fish meal, auto rice bran, wheat bran, oil cake etc. @ 6-4% BW/day. Samples of fish

ingredients were collected from local sources and feeds were formulated after proximate

composition analysis (Table 2). Feeding of fish will be done with active participation of

farming family including women.

Table 2. Formulation of diets (% dry weight) for Pangasius

Ingredients Contribution

(25% CP)

Fish meal

21.00

Oil cake 20.00

Rice bran

36.00

Wheat bran

17.50

Wheat flour (Atta)

5.40

Vitamin & min. premix 0.10

Total 100.00

Crude Protein 25.05

Crude Fat 8.05

Ash 11.98

Fibre 8.37

NFE

31.85

GE (kJ g-1

)

14.32

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Water quality parameters such as temperature, DO, pH, alkalinity, ammonia, sulphat and

iron of the ponds were collected and monitored monthly by the pond supervisors under

active supervision of Project Manager. Collected water samples were analysed in the

Laboratory of BFRI, Mymensingh.

5.7 Participation in Fish Fair 2018 at Patuakhali

Fish Fair 2018 was organized at District Fisheries Office premises, Patuakhali on the

occasion of National Fish Week 2018. The Fish Fair was held from 20 to 22 July on the

eve of nationwide Fish Week 2018 with the objectives to aware local people about fish

farming and conserving aquatic biodiversity. BlueGold Programme and its on-going

project under Bangladesh Water Development Board actively participated in the Fish Fair

at Patuakhali.

In the Fish Fair at Patuakhali, two stalls were decorated jointly by BlueGold Programme

and Innovision Agro service Ltd. Under the guidance of local Blue Gold authority,

Innovision Agro Service Ltd. demonstrated a model of Improved Pangaius Culture

Practices in the homestead ponds of local farmers (pond owners of BlueGold programme

beneficiaries under BWDB polder group members). The model showed that in a polder

concept, fish farming could be practiced in homestead ponds using water sources through

canal. The demo model pond having aeration contained Pangaius fingerlings and Indian

major carps fry (Rui, Catla, Mrigal) along tilapia fry exhibit the on-going project

activities in 3 Upazillas of Patuakhali. The aquaculture inputs i.e. lime; fertilizers-urea,

TSP; fish feed ingredients- rice bran, oil cake, fish meal and formulated fish feed also

exhibited along pond side.

Fig. 7. BlueGold Project stall at Patuakhali on the occasion of Fish Week 2018.

Awareness building festoons were hanged in the stall. The festoon highlighted the

potentialities of Pangaius culture in the Patuakhali region, importance of homestead

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Pangaius farming as a source of nutrition & income and culture potentialities of Pangaius.

A brief leaflet on “Homestead Pangaius farming” developed by Innovision Agro service

Ltd. distributed among interested persons.

Fig. 8. Awareness building festoons on the occasion of Fish Week 2018.

A large number of people covering all age group (student, service holder, farmers,

women) visited the BluuGold stall. It is worth mentioning here that BlueGold

Programme & Innovision Agro Servive Ltd. joint stall stood First in an evaluation of

Fish Fair 2018 at Patuakhali.

Judith de Bruijne and Tanvir Islam from BlueGold Programme also visited Fish Fair at

Patuakhali on 22 July, and they also visited few ponds under the project at Amtoli,

Barguna.

5.8 Fish Rearing and Pond Management

Cultured Pangasius fishes were fed regularly with farm made feed made from locally

available feed ingredients @ 4-3% BW/day twice daily. Three pellet machine for

respective three Upazillas are now ready to operation by the representative beneficiaries.

Water quality parameters such as temperature, DO, pH, alkalinity, ammonia, sulfur and

iron content of the ponds were determined monthly and lab analysis was done in the

Water Quality Laboratory of BFRI, Mymensingh (Annex-1).

Most of the ponds under trial having suitable water quality, although some of ponds,

especially in Golachipa Upazilla showed over ranged alkalinity and iron content. High

alkalinity and iron may hamper the normal fish growth. Appropriate measures will be

undertaken to mitigate the problem.

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Graph 1. Upazilla-wise total fish biomass in ponds under study.

Graph 2. Upazilla-wise total average FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) in ponds under study.

Pond wise fish growth performance are presented in Table 3. Some of the farmers of

Kalapara showed better performances. On the other hand, overall performance of Amtoli

farmers' was quite uniform. Fish biomass was high in Golachipa due to pond sizes (Graph

1). FCR of ponds from Kalapara was comparatively better than Amtoli and Golachipa

(Graph 2). Some ponds resulted very low fish growth, which will be taken special

attention in coming days.

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Fig. 9. Fish sampling and weighing to observe the growth.

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6. Outcome of the Activities

� Rearing of Pangasius fish in 30 ponds of targeted beneficiaries under 3 Upazillas are

going on.

� A farmers training on “Improved Pangasius Culture Practices at Homestead Pond”

was held at CODEC Training Center, Patuakhali Sadar on 7 July.

� BlueGold Programme and Innovision Agro service Ltd. jointly participated in Fish

Fair 2018 at Patuakhali District Fisheries Office premises on the eve of nationwide

Fish Week 2018 with the objectives to aware local people about fish farming and

conserving aquatic biodiversity. In recognition, BlueGold Programme & Innovision

Agro Servive Ltd. joint stall stood First in an evaluation of Fish Fair 2018 at

Patuakhali.

� Ponds under project were stocked with good quality Pangasius fry from local

nurserier (Mr. Razib, Amtoli). During feasibility study, at least 3 Fish Hatcheries

were identified who supposed to supply required Pangasius fry for the project.

Availability of quality Pangasius fry open a oppertunities of Pangasius farming in the

region. This will encourage more farmers in Pangasius farming.

� Pond environment i.e. water quality is a prime factor in aquaculture practices.

Dissolved Oxygen was low in some ponds. pH in some ponds of Amtoli and

Golachipa was not satisfactory. Alkalinity in one-third ponds under study was over

ranged. Iron content in most of the ponds of Golachipa was extremely high. Although

Pangasius fish could face extreme water quality, lack of suitable water quality may

reduce the productivity.

� Three Feed Mills for the feed production are now ready for operation and project

beneficiaries will now able to produce farm made feed at their doorstep. At present

the farmers are using formulated fish feed produced in a local Feed Mill. It was

observed that fish feeds produced by the local Feed Mills contained only 16% protein,

although the feed ingredients like fish meal, oil cake and rice bran showed to

contained good proximate composition. Formulation of a quality low cost feed for the

Pangasius and supervision/motivation to feed millers, resulted a 25% protein based

feed, which has been used by the farmers under the project. The proximate

composition of produced feeds were regularly investigated to maintain the quality.

� It was assumed that fish feed ingredients like fish meal and sunflower meal will be

ready available in the region, but in practice, sunflower meal was not available.

Sunflower meal is less priced feed ingredient than oil cake.

� Fish sampling including water quality parameters monitoring are going on. Some of

the farmers doing well in aquaculture management. Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of

some stocked Pangasius obtained between 6-10% in 90 days of culture.

� Fish growth in some ponds showed excellent performance (>400 gm individual

weight).

� Among 30 contact farmers, 7 are women. During training and pond stocking, they are

actively participating in knowledge sharing and field activities, which is encouraging.

Also among 3 Feed Mills operator, one (Mrs. Nazma Begum of Golachipa) will be a

feed miller.

� Weak road communication in the region hampered project activities like

transportation of fish fry, feeds and regular supervision of ponds under project.

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7. Challenges and Opportunities

In the context of current aquaculture practices in Patuakhali region, pangasius

aquaculture became a vibrant sector due to its seed and feed supply network, fastest

growth and survival in the grow-out, consistent marketing network and year round

domestic demand. Some of the major challenging issues are highlighted below:

� Water quality and management: Pangasius aquaculture can have a negative effect

on pond water quality, particularly when the farming leads to excess nutrients in pond

sediments. In practice, water of some ponds under study having high alkalinity and

iron contents, which may hinder fish growth. In general, regular water exchange

could not be possible due to lack of appropriate water sources. On the other hand,

underground water use is limited and may increase the pond management cost.

Regular water quality monitoring would be a major task for maintain water quality in

the pond under study.

� Feed management: Pangasius production is fully dependent on quality feed and

regular use of feed in pond. Feed cost generally constitute the highest single

operational cost, accounting for 76% of total costs in pangasius farming (Ahmed

2010). It is therefore essential that the feed should achieve maximum efficiency in

terms of pangasius production. The relative importance of production and feed

conversion efficiency fully depends upon the quality of feed. Protein is the most

important dietary component in fish diet and is of a primary concern in diet

formulation. FCR obtained with commercial feed is 1.97 and 2.07 with farm made

feed for pangasius farming (Ali et al. 2012).

In present piloting study, marinating feed quality, particularly protein content is a

major concern as the feed produced from unidentified feed ingredient sources.

Patuakhali coast is a good source of fish meal production, specifically from Kuakata

and Pathorghata. Due to late start of pangasius piloting in 3 Upzillas under

Patuakhali, we are unable to collect targeted feed ingredients, rather use the available

feed ingredients. Also we did not find sunflower meal in sufficient amount to

inclusion in feed formulation. The protein content of the produced feed actually

varied from 20% to 25% in different lots due to unidentified feed ingredients sources.

However, the obtained FCR from 90 days culture ranged between 1.6 to 1.8 was

encouraging.

At present, no commercial fish meal production factories are in the country.

Producers procured dried trash fish, crabs, small fish and other aquatic animals which

are then grinded in a grinding machine and use them as fish meal. There is a domestic

source of better-quality fish meal (40-50% protein), made from ‘chewa’

Pseudapocryptes elongates produced in southern Bangladesh in Kuakata, Patuakhali

and the islands of Hatia, Noakhali and Bohala, but supply is insufficient to meet the

demand of the aqua feed sector. The fish meal (marine origin dried fishes used as fish

meal) production season remains in the winter months (November to March) in the

Bangladesh coast. The Feed Millers under the project will be able to produce farm

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made feeds using local fish meal from November month. For regular utilization of 3

Feed Mills for supplying feeds to contact farmers under BlueGold or to other fish

farms as a business, requires a operational plan or management procedure. There

should be a linkage among feed ingredients suppliers, feed millers and pangasius

farmers. Feed ingredients from known sources will ensure quality feeds with required

protein content which resulted production increases. On-farm feed preparation and

management are important to achieving the efficient use of farm made feed resources.

Moreover, farmers' perception in pond management specifically in feeding practices

resulted poor fish growth in some ponds under study. Fish feeding is a crucial part of

aquaculture practices. Farmers under study are not well familiar with fish feeding in

terms of quantity and frequency of feeding. On the other hand, feed quantity will need

to be adjusted based on biomass. So, regularly sampling i.e. fish weighing should be

done to know the biomass in a pond. Farmers acquired knowledge on fish feeds and

feeding from exchange visit at Mymensingh.

� Health management, drugs and chemicals: Managing the health of cultured

pangasius stocks depends on the overall management of the pond, including the

reasonable, responsible use of drugs and chemicals. This must be undertaken in a

manner that focuses on ensuring fish health and maintaining food safety and quality,

while also minimizing the impacts to human health and the environment. Although

till now we did not observed major disease outbreak, the off-flavor in harvested fish

issue could be a concern during marketing.

� Marketing and business development: Marketing of farmed pangasius needs a

transportation linkage. As pangasius should be marketed live, so timely harvesting

and subsequently marketing is a challenging issue. In practice, partial harvested

pangasius crop of contact farmers was sold at price of Tk. 95.00-100.00 per kg, when

the price of same was between Tk. 82.00-85.00 at Mymensingh- the pangasius hub of

the country. The pangasius price is more in Patuakhali than the Mymensingh region,

the transportation even in the local urban markets need strong infrastructure or

communication system. The ponds under the said project will be completely

harvested during last week of November to first week December. After harvesting of

fish from ponds, the farmers needs a strong backup to continued fish or Pangasius

farming practices in their ponds. Some of the interested farmers may restock their

ponds for further culturing of Pangasius.

� Contribution to house hold income: Pangasius farming alone contributed 54%

household incomes at pangasius cultured villages of Mymensingh (Ali et al. 20012).

It was also observed that most farming households engaged in a variety of businesses

– many of which were also related to pangasius aquaculture (e.g. feed manufacturing)

– with relatively small numbers involved in other types of agriculture. This suggests

an entrepreneurial orientation on the part of those practicing pangasius grow-out. We

also need such type of understanding in piloting of pangasius farming in 3 Upazillas

of Patuakhali. To assess the economic and social benefits from Pangasius farming at

least one more culture season need to be studied.

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8. Planned Activities in the Next Months

Food security and livelihoods are tightly linked in rural areas. Establish better living

conditions in villages thus implies from one side recovering farm assets and increasing

productivity in house holders, on the other side finding new opportunities to produce

food. Pangasius aquaculture tends to make the fish available to the community people to

longer period of time in the year due its higher survival, higher yield, regular/partial

harvesting and sale. Thus poor people can afford the fish with their low level of income

that is not possible for other fishes.

With the line of SDG 2030 goals to reduced poverty, improved food and nutrition

security for health, and improved natural resource systems and ecosystem services,

current "piloting homestead pangasius aquaculture productivity" could be upscalling for

another culture season in Patuakhali region. Due to late start of pangasius aquaculture

practice in the region, could not able to established a value chain linkage from fish seed

to fish plate.

To established a strong backward-forward linkage between hatchery, nursery, grow-out

and marketing, "homestead pangasius aquaculture productivity" would be upscalling in

two more Upazillas (Boufal and Dumki) including the previous 3 Upzillas. In the coming

culture season, pangasius seed production will be initiated in "Chanchal Fish Hatchery"

at Boufal. Subsequently, nursery rearing of produced seed would be conducted with 10

nuserer (2 from each Upazilla). After nursery, 30 pond owners (5 pond from each

Upazilla) of BlueGold beneficieries (WMG) will be used as grow-out contact farmers.

Existing 3 Feed Millers from 3 Upzillas (Amtoli, Galachipa and Kalapara) would be act

as warehouse of fish feed supply. The feed millers will stock sufficient feed ingredients

(dried fishes, auto rice bran etc.) or develop a linkage of regular supply of those

ingredients. Sunflower meal will be used a potential protein supplement to reduce the

feed cost.

Table 4. Work plan with activities of upscalling homestead Pangasius aquaculture productivity

in Patuakjhali region

Activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1

2

3

4

5 1= Collection of feed ingredients, 2= Seed production & nursing of pangasius fry

3= Stocking & grow-out of pangasius, 4= Harvesting (during hilsa banning period)

5= Data compilation, 6= Workshop & reporting

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Upscalling "homestead pangasius aquaculture productivity" will established a

community pangasius culture zone in Patuakhali region with high economic return.

Moreover......

� Monitoring will be strengthened by pond supervisors as well as Project Manager in

ponds with low SGR.

� Regular analysis of proximate composition of feed will be continued. Other potential

fish feed ingredients will be trialed for cost effective operation of pilot Feed Mills by

the project beneficiaries.

� Value chain analysis of fish marketing and feed mills operation will be taken as a

major concern in coming days.

� Water quality will be monitored and fish growth will be investigated.

� Some of the pond's fish will be sold out due to attain marketable size.

� A documentary on the project activities will be tried to broadcast in electronic media.

� Field days will be conducted in ponds sites to demonstrate farming achievements of

Pangasius.

� Up scaling of the project activities and outreach strategy will be developed for

sustainability of the project.

Table 3. Growth performances of Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture

practices in the homestead farming system at 3 Upazills under Patuakhali Pond

No

Name of the Farmer Area

(deci)

Stocking

number

Sampling weight

(gm/pcs)

Weight gained

(gm/Pc)

Total gained

weight (Kg)

FCR Specific Growth Rate

(Growth per fish per day)

Amtoli Upazilla

1 Pannaya Mridha 14 989 433.00 344 297 1.71 3.82

2 Razzak Peyada 10 703 431.00 341 210 1.94 3.79

3 Kahinor Begum 25 1742 550.00 460 706 1.41 5.12

4 Ibrahim Mridha 21 1474 500.00 410 531 1.59 4.56

5 Siddiqur Rahman 10 703 500.00 410 253 1.66 4.56

6 Jakaria 8 558 438.00 348 170 1.83 3.87

7 Rezwan Hawlader 12 837 525.00 435 320 1.44 4.84

8 Zabber Hawlader 8 558 425.00 335 163 1.86 3.73

9 Faruque 13 893 340.00 250 193 2.14 2.78

10 Abdus Sattor Gorami 18 1228 408.00 318 341 1.86 3.54

Golachipa Upazilla

11 Md. Jalil Mira 12 803 550.00 472 334 1.49 3.94

12 Md. Hamaet Hawlader 15 1020 440.00 362 324 1.60 3.81

13 Md. Shajahan Hawlader 15 1020 500.00 422 379 1.37 4.46

14 Md. Basir Uddin Mollah 13 867 464.00 386 294 1.81 3.46

15 Md. Kabir Hossen 12 803 250.00 172 118 2.85 1.38

16 Shampa Rani 15 1020 625.00 547 494 1.18 5.81

17 Nidhu Rani Das 16 1071 562.00 484 458 1.49 5.38

18 Mukta Rani 14 943 625.00 547 456 1.22 5.37

19 Mst. Nazma Begum 18 1211 714.00 636 683 1.22 8.04

20 Md. Oliul Islam 10 675 460.00 382 226 1.63 2.66

Kalapara Upzilla

21 Kalam Fakir 15 1260 250.00 166.67 179 2.29 2.08

22 Fatema Begum 11 614 460.00 370.45 199 1.68 2.32

23 Dulufa Begum 14 781 357.00 267.45 181 2.15 2.10

24 Sulaiman Fakir 7 312 375.00 285.45 77 2.29 0.90

25 Anwar Hossen 14 614 500.00 410.45 221 1.62 2.57

26 Siraj Sikder 23 1060 500.00 410.45 382 1.70 4.44

27 Akteuzzaman Mollah 25 1228 500.00 410.45 443 1.67 5.15

28 Abdul Aziz Khan 11 614 428.00 338.45 182 1.83 2.11

29 Billal 15 837 520.00 430.45 317 1.63 3.68

30 Imran Hossain 20 1172 466.00 376.45 387 1.63 4.49

Annex-1

Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute

Freshwater Station, Mymensingh 2201

Water Quality & pond Dynamics Laboratory

Test Results for Pond Water of Amtoli

Sl.

No.

Parameter Satter

1

Kohinoor

2

Faruk

3

Jabbar

4

Rezwan

5

Suitable Range

1 pH 6.40 6.60 6.50 6.44 6.45 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 23.1 22.7 22.8 22.5 22.6 25-30

3. Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 4.44 4.10 6.43 6.86 4.01 4.0-7.0

4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.002 0.002 0.004 0.007 0.007 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 190 175 200 195 216 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 3 5 10 15 3 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 0.10 0.30 0.43 0.45 0.80 0.05-0.50

Sl.

No.

Parameter Jakaria

6

Siddik

7

Panna

8

Ibrahim

9

Razzak

10

Suitable Range

1 pH 4.84 5.93 5.80 6.17 6.30 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 22.4 22.6 22.9 22.9 22.9 25-30


4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.003 0.01 0.005 0.001 0.002 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 215 195 190 200 205 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 12 9 12 25 20 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 1.36 0.30 2.74 0.50 0.27 0.005-0.20

Annex-1




Test Results for Pond Water of Golachipa

Sl.

No.

Parameter Jalil

1

Hamayet

2

Shajahan

3

Basir

4

kabir

5

Suitable Range

1 pH 4.84 5.93 5.80 6.17 6.30 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 22.4 22.6 22.9 22.9 22.9 25-30


4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.003 0.01 0.005 0.001 0.002 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 215 195 190 200 205 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 16 20 16 18 25 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 4.2 3.8 3.8 4.6 2.3 0.005-0.20

Sl.

No.

Parameter Shampa

6

Nidhu

7

Mukta

8

Nazma

9

Oliul

10

Suitable Range

1 pH 6.77 6.81 6.74 6.74 6.99 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 27.4 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.1 25-30


4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.005 0.003 0.002 0.004 0.002 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 200 195 190 200 195 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 8 10 13 20 18 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 0.59 4.1 3.8 2.9 3.6 0.005-0.20

Annex-1




Test Results for Pond Water of Kalapara

Sl.

No.

Parameter Kalam

1

Fatema

2

Dulufa

3

Sulaiman

4

Anwar

5

Suitable Range

1 pH 7.39 7.30 7.14 6.94 7.05 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 27.4 27.1 27.0 26.9 27.1 25-30


4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.003 0.002 0.003 0.005 0.006 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 210 195 175 180 190 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 10 20 27 22 36 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 0.22 0.40 0.39 0.30 0.07 0.005-0.20

Sl.

No.

Parameter Siraj

6

Akter

7

Aziz

8

Billal

9

Imran

10

Suitable Range

1 pH 6.91 6.70 6.65 6.90 7.10 6.5-8.5

2. Temperature (°C) 27.2 27.2 27.3 27.1 27.2 25-30


4. NH3 (mg/l) 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.002 <0.1

5. Alkalinity (meq/L) 195 200 190 210 205 70-190

6. SO4 (mg/l) 8 5 4 10 15 2-70

7. Iron ( mg/l) 0.31 0.42 0.32 0.45 0.48 0.005-0.20

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