A Case Study on The Dogi (Floodplain Area ) Management at Begumgang Upazilla, Noakhali

Abstract:

In the present study, the management strategies of the floodplain area of Begumgonj area were studied. Data were collected through focus group discussion and interviewing with farmers and committee members of the floodplain (dog) management. During the rainy season in extensive river floodplains and deltaic lowlands, floods lasting several months render the land unavailable for crop production. These waters are considerably underutilized in terms of managed aquatic productivity. This raises the opportunity to enclose parts of these floodwater areas to produce a crop of stocked fish aside from the naturally occurring ‘wild species that are traditionally fished and are not affected by the culture activity. For this reason, different aquaculture project were implemented in waterlogged parts of the country specially Noakhali region by the technical and financial help of RFLDC-DANIDA. The floodplain aquaculture project in Begumganj was implemented in different unions by Regional Fisheries and Livestock Development Component (RFLDC). Sonali community base fish culture project was observed. The solid lime was given at Ikg/ decimal during the time of preparing pond and ditch. When the pond of the dogs was dried, the powdered limes were applied into the land. The rate of applying fertilizers in the case of I decimal of water body are 3-5 kg cow-dung. 5-7kg compost, 100 g urea, 100 g TSP. Mainly prawn were cultured with Indian major carps such as rohu, (Labeo rohita), catla (Corla cotla), mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) and Chinese carps such as silvercarp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carps (Ctenopharyngodon idella), common carp (Cyprimes corpio var communis), bighead carp (Aristicthys nobilis) and sarpunti (Pantiva sarana). Yield of fish depends largely on stocking of fish fingerlings. The stocking density of fingerling of those species was 20-25/decimal Average fish production in the Sonali community based fish culture project were 7200kg prawn, 300kg carp, 240kg SIS. In marketing systems, local agents, whole sellers, local fish traders and retailers may be present as a middleman. Average expenditure of fish culture was BDT 89025.00 and income from slegi was BDT 141500.00. Overall results are more high-quality, nutrient-dense food production and enhanced farm income for all stakeholders, notably the poor. The results indicate that community-based fish culture in rice fields is technically feasible, economically profitable environmentally non-destructive, and socially acceptable. Effective linkage between upazila government fisheries office and floodplain (dugi) owners and farmers, training, extension, and institutional support to the fish farmers, marketing and related facilities, and adequate bank credit under easy terms are needed.