PROBLEMS FACED BY THE FISH FARMERS IN THAI KOI CULTURE

Abstract

Thai Koi is one of the most important aquaculture fish species for its production and popularity among the people in Bangladesh. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of problems faced by the fish farmers in Thai Koi culture and to explore the contribution of selected characteristics of the farmers on their problems faced in Thai Koi culture. The study was conducted with randomly selected 115 Thai Koi fish farmers in Mutagachha upazila under Mymensingh district. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents during 24

May, 2022 to 25 th June, 2022. Problems faced in Thai Koi culture was the dependent variable and its was measured by on basis of problem faced scores. The majority, 60 percent of the farmers faced medium problems in Thai Koi culture, 23.48 percent faced low problems and 16.52 percent faced high problems in Thai Koi culture. Fish farmers level of education, extension media contact, cosmopoliteness and training exposure on fish farming was the contributing factors for their problems faced in Thai Koi culture. According to Problem Faced Index (PFI), ‘high price of feed’ ranked highest and “social or political pressure” ranked as lowest position. Department of Fisheries (DoF), the sole government extension services provider to fish farmers and other NGOs (e.g., BRAC, RDRS, CARE, ASA & World Fish Bangladesh etc.) works for increasing Thai Koi culture in Bangladesh should take necessary steps to minimize farmer’s problems.