Livelihood status of Gher farmers of Beel Dakatia in Khulna district, Bangladesh

Document Type : Primary Research paper

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Abstract

The present research work was carried out to determine livelihood conditions of fish and Prawn/ Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Gher farmers at Beel Dakatia in Dumuria, Phultala and Daulatpur thana under Khulna district from April to September 2013. From the survey the community indicated that 21-40 age groups made maximum strength and majority of them were Muslims (58%). It was found that 16% of them could sign only and the percentages of school going children were high (86%). In the study area, it was found that 88% were married, 62% of people lived with unit families and highest households were 5-7 people per family. The majority of families (72%) had one person for earning and highest income of the people (44%) were 128 to 256 US dollar ($).  About 62% people lived in local house and the construction materials were nipa palm and mud, 72% used electricity. The result also showed that 84% peoples main occupation was fish farming. Majority of the  people (52%) used others tube well water for drinking, 56% used closed half build toilet. 52% fishermen got health service from Upazila health complex which was the most preferred place. For their recreation 76% used TV/ Radio. About 78% people used lease land for the fish and prawn farming. Thus to achieve better social structure, the government and its development partner needs to re-orient their programmer and to implement to an affirmative action for the fish and prawn Gher farmers.

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