ANALYZING THE CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE FISH FARMERS IN MARKETING OF TILAPIA FISH: A CASE FROM BANGLADESH

Fisheries sector plays an important role in our economy and national food security while tilapia is one of the most important species for culture and it has great market value. Thus, this study was undertaken mainly to determine the extent of the constraints faced by the farmers in tilapia marketing and to identify the factors influencing the problems faced by the farmers in tilapia marketing. Data were collected from 100 randomly selected fish farmers (out of 501) from Trishal sub-district (nationally called upazila) under Mymensingh district using pre-tested interview schedule. Appropriate scales were developed and used in order to measure the concerned variables.  Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while correlation and liner multiple regression model. Stepwise multiple regressions method was also used for the same. The findings indicated that majority of the respondents (91 percent) had medium constraints in marketing. Among the constraints, fluctuation of market price, lack of transportation facilities, poor access to market were identified as major constraints. Level of education, farm size, credit received, extension media contract and knowledge on fish farming showed significant negative relationships with their constraints in marketing of cultured fish. Besides, regression models revealed that the level of education, extension media contact and credit received by farmers influence the constraints faced by the farmers in tilapia marketing. These factors may be considered while taking policy measures by the concerned authority like Department of Fisheries (DoF). Besides, the concerned authority like the Department of Fisheries (DoF), different NGOs, and donor organizations should come forward to provide training, credit facilities and improved advisory services to the fish farmers to reduce various constraints in fish marketing. Keywords: Fish farmers, Tilapia fish, marketing, Constraints, Bangladesh