Abstract:
Six carp and carp based culture technologies were selected to
examine the sustainability of supplementary feed-based aquaculture through
availability of domestic feeds compared to the total requirement in
Bangladesh. The study covered seven districts of Bangladesh with a sample
size of 376. It was found that farmers used a good number of feeds (more
than 35) for the selected technologies but they maintained no standard
doses for them. There were important differences among the prices of
different feeds and other inputs used for different technologies in different
parts of the country. Prices of all inputs were found to be increasing and
this increase has been greater in recent years as compared to previous
years. Though all the technologies were found to be profitable, the feed
situation was not satisfactory. Except for rice polish, the supplies of other
local feeds were unable to meet the national demand. If this situation
persists and no measures are taken to secure the local feed supply, the
present development of supplementary feed-based aquaculture will become
dependent on imported feeds and would not be sustainable in the future.
This study strongly suggests that the authorities should handle the matter
with proper attention, considering its significant impact in the economy of
the country.
