Socio-economic condition of fish fry and fingerling traders in greater Jessore region, Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to assess the livelihood status of fish fry and fingerling traders and socio-economic condition in the greater Jessore, Bangladesh from April 2013 to September 2013. Data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire from the selected area. 73% of traders have single family but only 27% have joint family. 45% fish fry and fingerling traders family has four members. 20% family has five members, 14% family has six members, 12% family has three members 9%family has seven to eight members respectively. 92% traders has own bank account but only 7% traders uses their bank account when they trade fry and fingerling. 87% traders have secondary business like rickshaw business, fruit business, cloth business, fish trading etc. Among 300 fish fry and fingerling traders the sanitation facilities are present 100%. It was found that 69% and 31% of fish farmers used semi-pucca and pucca toilet respectively. Among 300 fish fry and fingerling traders 78% of traders have own house but only 22% of trader live in rental house or place. 46% of traders have institutional education that range from primary to higher education and other 54% of traders have no experience in education. In case of illness 58% of traders and trader’s family goes to government hospital, 24% uses private clinic, 15% traders are uses local village doctor and another 3% does not get any treatment or not require no treatment. 93% traders have television, 5% house consist radio and another 2% house no instrument for entertainment. Only 10% trader wants their son and grandson engages with this fish fry and fingerling trading profession. The average monthly income of traders in the peak season is 18000 taka and off-peak season the income is less than 7000 taka per month.