Socio-economic condition of fishermen in seasonal floodplain beels in Rajshahi District, Bangladesh

Abstract

3 Abstract: There are 2.8 million hect ares seasonal floodplain beels which requir e ef fective m anagement for the welfare of poor fishermen. These natural resource management actions depend on livelihood status of the beneficiaries and policies need to implement should relate wi th t he soci oeconomic st atus and demands of the stakeholders. This study conducted a survey of socioeconomic condition of the landowners (LO) and l andless (LL) fishermen group who fully or partly depend on f ishing activities in t wo s easonal floodplain beels in R ajshahi district, Bangladesh in y ear 2006-2007. It was found that most of the fishermen were at the age group 31- 40 y ears, larger family size (5.6-5.8) belong to LL fishermen. 46.6% LL fishermen on both the sites were illiterate with no pe rson above secondary level. Among L Os r ate of illiteracy were lower and 13- 20% were educated above secondary level. Housing condition of LL fishermen is mostly Katcha (60-67%) and of LOs mostly semi-pucca (60-73%). The average annual household income o f the LO fishermen ranges from TK 77396-96888 whereas average annual household income of the LL f ishermen ranges from TK 36407-37990 whi ch is much below t he poverty line. Agriculture is the main oc cupation and aquaculture, fish trade and business are the m ain s econdary occupations for t he LO farmers. LL fishermen are mainly fulltime f ishermen wi th agri culture and aquaculture labor being the main secondary occupations. Average fish consumptions for all types of farmers are 1.38 kg/capita/month. Fish culture can improve their so cioeconomic condition. T hey ne ed to be educated and trained to a ctively participate to w ater productivity enhancing activities i n these seasonal floodplain aquatic e cosystems.