Undrainable rural ponds are intimately associated with the socio-economic and cultural life of Bangladeshi people and offer great scope for fish culture. Decentralised nature of this vast aquacultural resources, immense production potential, availability of low cost field tested high yielding culture technologies and security of relatively high return are some of the pointers which call for immediate and priority attention for the development and exploitation of this sub sector.
There are approximately 1.5 million ponds in Bangladesh covering about 0.15 million ha of water spread area. These ponds although cover only 3.5% of the inland area, contribute about 31% to the total inland fish production. Surprisingly such a high level of relative contribution is achieved through traditional fish culture method where average production is about 1.3 ton/ha/yr. On the other hand, production can be increased 3 to 4 folds very easily through low cost semi-intensive fish culture technology. Depending upon the input use and level of adoption of technology, some of the RDFFs of the project could get production over 7 tons/ha/yr which indicates that by replacing the traditional culture with appropriate low cost semi-intensive culture, several fold more production increase is possible. However, the gap between the existing average production of 1.3 ton/ha/yr and the level achieved by innovative RDFFs is considered to be the extension gap. By strengthening fish culture extension services this gap can be reduced resulting in multifold increase in production from these large number of multipurpose rural household ponds.
Priority thrust in this area will not only ensure greater availability of animal protein at cheaper rate to the nutrient deficient population, it will also ensure maximum utilization of local resources and increasing gainful employment opportunity and family income in the rural areas.
So far final results from 701 RDFFs have been received. Data indicate that the average production from these ponds has increased to 4.104 ton/ha/yr from the initial production level of 1.461 ton/ha/yr. However, the average cost of production has also been increased from initial Tk. 22,483/ha/yr to Tk. 44,335/ha/yr with the consequent increase in benefit cost ratio. Benefit cost ratio has increased from 2.1:1 to 3:1.
Since the extension approach is based on result demonstration, the success and speed of the programme depends mainly upon the results achieved by the Demonstration Farmers. The following factors thus become important for ensuring success of the extension programme.
Appropriateness of the technology,
quality of the Result Demonstration Farmers and
the efforts, efficiency and dedication of the extension workers.
It has now been realized that the selection of RDFF is the most critical step to ensure better demonstration results. Learning from field experience has now enabled us developing better technologies for selecting suitable farmers as RDFF more quickly. The technique also helps in making the programme more participatory.
Appreciation and recognition generate enthusiasm and initiative. Successful RDFFs are awarded medals by distinguised persons. This move has been found to create tremendous impact by inspiring the RDFF who became more dedicated to their duties as extension volunteer and took active interest in helping their FFFs. This way they derived pleasure and enjoyed respect and recognition in their community / society and village. This was the driving force of this participatory extension approach.
DOF has so far maintained its image as agency for technical management of fisheries resources available in the public sector with major emphasis on fisheries administration and certain level of direct involvement in production and commercial activities through the network of FSMF and ox-bow lakes. Extension activities remained a low priority area in the functional pattern of DOF. However, there had been certain degree of realization about the importance of extension. This is reflected from that fact that extension is always made an essential component under most of the development/investment projects.
The time has now come, when shifting of priorities and mandate from technical administration and commercial activities to strengthening extension services to the sectoral clientele is highly desirable. There is growing realization in this direction. GOB has already started a five year fisheries extension project based upon TDS approach from June 1995.
Sincere efforts in this direction on the part of the GOB is also reflected from the fact that the fund for this long term nationwide project (five year) is exclusively met by its own resources. This is also considered as the final step towards institutionalisation of fisheries extension services under the DOF as recommended by the preceeding project BGD/87/045.
Quality of training and approach has also been found to influence the programme. Appropriate training tools and personal dealings count much. Language is also one of the important consideration. However, high standard language does not influence much, on the other hand farmers appreciate a trainer who use local dialect. They feel closer to such people who are outsider but tries to learn and speak their language.
All along the project period, hardly any sign of reluctance and non-cooperation has been found on the part of the DOF officers and staff. On the other hand they showed highest possible sense of sincerity, cooperation and interest. The involved officers did not miss any opportunity to express their satisfaction, feelings and outcome of the programme whenever they talked to their colleagues and friends and this way they created a nationwide awareness about the potential role of extension. Many officers started pouring in voluntarily to the Project Office to have similar programmes also under their command area. However, due to limitation of time and resources all of them could not be obliged. The leadership both in the Ministry and the DOF contributed to their best to make the programme a success and as such I would not hesitate in recording my findings that the total credit goes to them and their highly dedicated field staff and committed fish farmers.
