Role of mechanization on intensification of aquaculture system in Bangladesh

Abstract:

Aerator is a rising technology in Bangladesh and day by day it is becoming popular among the fish farmers because of higher stocking density, higher productivity and better profit. As a result, aerator business is expanding rapidly. A research was carried
out to know the role of mechanization on intensification of aquaculture system and the value chain of aerators in Bangladesh. A total of 75 farmers and 50 respondents from the aerator value chain were interviewed. Farmers were divided into three categories according to their annual aquaculture productivities (SF, MF and BF). Typically middle age farmers were found to have more involvement ranging from 31 to 40 years old which constituted 50.7% of the total interviewed population, 81.4%
crossed higher secondary school level, 80% farmers main occupation was fish farming, 73.4% involved partnership farming, 61.4% farmers had more than 3 years farming experience with aerator, 88% introduced aerator in the poly-culture fish farming and 65.3% farmers operated aerator by using both electricity and diesel. There were 5 fish groups represented in G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5 which commonly cultured by all categories of farmers in their aerated pond. Among them G1 was the top choice for 42.7% farmers. most of the farmers (50.7%) provided 3 times stocking density frequency in their aerated ponds than non-aerated ponds. All of them introduced aerator in the pond when the fish volume reached 3 times higher than the stocking volume within 21 to 28 days. Eight types of aerators were commonly used by the farmers. 30.7% farmers used double speed aerator and 25.3% farmers used paddle wheel aerator for aquaculture purposes. In a case study of two (100 decimal) ponds (where one was aerated and another was non-aerated) with the similar fish species (G1) & same body weight at different stocking densities were stocked. After six (6) months cultured period, it was calculated that the pre-stocking management cost was 4% less, the stocking management cost was 6% less & the post-stocking management cost was 10% greater in the aerated pond compared to the non-aerated pond. Although 1.6% aerator cost added in post stocking management cost, over all benefit was higher in the aerated pond than the non-aerated pond. According to the analysis of cost-benefit ratio, CBR in the non-aerated pond was 1: 0.45& in the aerated pond it was 1:1.14. In the aerator value chain, from the manufacturers to farmers level including trading companies, importers, wholesalers, dealers, retailers, commission agents, NGOs etc were directly involved. Importers paying 16% VAT and tax; where 11% Total Tax Incidence (TTI) and 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) after sale and 90% aerators were imported from China. 50% aerators were imported in Bangladesh from the month of May to August which considered the pick season. All of the aerator buyers prefer to buy aerator from the importers because of low cost, easier communication through social media and to get long term support services. Among all, 60% buyers were farmers; 15% were wholesalers; 10% were dealers; 8% were retailers; 5% were organization (NGOs) and rests of them were other people
who buy aerator directly from the importers. Home delivery service is available in 70% selling point and the customer care service is available in 78% selling points.