INTRODUCTION OF SMALL INDIGENOUS FISH SPECIES (SIS) CARP POLYCULTURE FOR NUTRITIONAL AND LIVELIHOOD UPLIFT OF DINAJPUR, BANGLADESH

摘要

The study was carried out from May to November 2008 to assess the introduction potential of small indigenous fish species (SIS) with carp polyculture in small homestead ponds in rural Bangladesh. The study also tested how SIS enhanced the nutritionaland economic condition of the rural poor households. Fifteen rural households were involved to initiate SIS - carp polyculture in four perennial and eleven seasonal ponds. Stocking ratio and combination were kept same for carp (40 fish/decimal) but varied for SIS as 60-80 fish/decimal in ponds. Production of carp and small fish was 11.1±4.2 kg/decimal over a seven-month period where small fish contributed 46% of the total harvest in 15 ponds. The households consumed the majority of SIS that contributed83% of the total consumption. In addition to the nutritional benefit, sale of carp including some surplus SIS provided the scope of additional income for households. The SIS -carp polyculture has shown encouraging future in the small homestead ponds bythe rural poor households in terms of nutritional and economic aspects.