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Does Fish Farming Improve Household Nutritional Status? Evidence from Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Romaza Khanum

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Petra Schneider

    (Department for Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Breitscheidstraße 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Muhammad Salim Al Mahadi

    (Planning, Development and Works, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh)

  • Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder

    (Fisheries and Environmental Management Group, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Md. Mostafa Shamsuzzaman

    (Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

In the present study, nutritional status was assessed using dietary diversity of fish and non-fish farming households in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. It has determined the incidence of poverty in fish and non-fish farm households through a comparative analysis of family profile, food consumption, calories, and protein intake. A total of 420 farms were selected for data collection using structured questionnaires with 210 fish and 210 non-fish farm families. The study using both descriptive and functional analysis revealed that the respondent age of both farms was 45.10 years, family size was 5.70, average education was 4.64 schooling years, and average farm size was 0.514 hectares. As a result, due to the increase in household income, fish farm families improved their food consumption, calories, and protein intake in comparison with non-fish farms. On a direct calorie intake (DCI) basis, the overall absolute and hardcore poverty levels of fish farm households were 32 percent and 18 percent, respectively, while those of non-fish farm households were 22 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Therefore, the incidence of poverty was higher in non-fish farming families than in fish farming families. In principle, provision of various forms of government assistance through the Department of Fisheries (DOF) will further intensify and strengthen fish farming, which will easily bring fallow and uncultivated lands of the area under fish farming. Moreover, it is possible to inspire the younger generation through this research that will help them to become a fish farm-based entrepreneur. The main conclusion of the present study is that fish farming is more positively related to household income, family food intake, and nutritional status than any other type of farming.

Suggested Citation

  • Romaza Khanum & Petra Schneider & Muhammad Salim Al Mahadi & Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Md. Mostafa Shamsuzzaman, 2022. "Does Fish Farming Improve Household Nutritional Status? Evidence from Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:967-:d:725594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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