Adoption of Modern Aquaculture Technologies by the Fish Farmers in Bogra District of Bangladesh

The main objective of this study was to assess the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies by the fish farmers'. The study was conducted in Kahaloo and Sherpur upazilas of Bogra district. Respondent fish farmers were selected using proportionate random sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected using predesigned interview schedule during August to September 2011. Focus group discussions were conducted for obtaining qualitative information. Adoption of "pond preparation with lime", "acclimatization of fish fry before stocking", "appropriate stocking density", "monosex tilapia cultivation", "use of formulated feed", "use of urea and TSP" and "pangus cultivation" were found high while adoption of "poly culture of carp", "Thai koi and catfish cultivation" were comparatively low. Overall mean adoption scores of 11 modern aquaculture technologies by the farmers indicate that 58 % of the respondent fish farmers had medium adoption of "modern aquaculture technologies" compared to 25% having high adoption and 17% low adoption. Age, education, use of information sources, farm size, fish farming area, annual family income, commercialization, social participation, innovativeness and knowledge on fish culture of the farmers had positive and significant relationship with their overall mean adoption of modern aquaculture technologies. "Lack of technical knowledge", "unavailability of credits in time", "lack of quality fish fry" and "unavailability of quality fish feed", were the main hindrances for adoption of modern aquaculture technologies as identified by the respondents in the study area.