Small-scale fish farming
Practical Action
Fish farming for the poor
An enormous variety of water bodies, including rivers, irrigation canals, flood plains, beels (large
depressions), ox bow lakes and ponds are dispersed throughout Bangladesh offering considerable
potential for fish cultivation, but a general lack of capital, access to resources and knowledge
means that many farmers are unable to provide all the commercial inputs required for intensive
production methods.
An alternative low-cost approach is more appropriate for many people, relying on existing water
bodies and natural vegetation and household waste, supplemented with animal protein in the
form of snails and homemade supplements for fish feed.
Many NGOs are adopting strategies to minimise the inherent riskiness of fish culture by
undertaking research into low-input systems, low-cost technology, fast growing species and
alternative management practices.
Pond culture
Site selection is an important factor in the success of a fish farm but the ideal site is usually not
available to poorer families.
Site location will be dependent on a number of factors:
The fish species being raised.
Soil quality, which affects water quality and productivity.
An adequate supply of water.
Land ownership.
Marketplace and market conditions.
Fish food and other inputs available to the farmer.
Groups adjacent to water.
More than 1 metre water retention capacity for at least 6 months of the year.
Pollution free.
Ideally, the fishpond should be 0.5 to 1.0 metres at the shallow end and sloping to 1.5 to 2 .0
metres at the drain end. Drain vales, baffle boards or tilt-over standpipes should be incorporated
into the design. It should be possible to drain the pond within three days. The edges of the pond
should have a slope of 2:1 or 3:1 on all sides.
If possible the pond should be located to take advantage of the effect of the wind on the surface
of the pond to mix the water; although locations that are too windy can cause erosion of dykes.
If the site is very windy the long side of the pond should be at right angles to the prevailing wind.
Hedges and trees can be used to protect the pond.
In practice, existing ponds and pools are abundant in Bangladesh, often located near to farmers’
homes. Small-scale fish cultivation is mainly a secondary occupation for farmers. These ponds
tend to be small (less than 0.25 acres) and do not have any water drain facility. They are
commonly referred to as fishponds but are in fact “borrow pits”, where earth has been removed
for building.
Fish breeding is just one of the activities that the ponds are used for. Other uses may include
domestic water use, washing, irrigation or duck keeping. Ponds are occasionally integrated into
paddy fields as additional ditches. Consequently, the ponds have many limitations for producing
fish.
In managing the ponds there are many potential problems to be considered, including:
Broken pond banks; check the pond walls on a regular basis.
An irregular water supply, too much water in the monsoon season and too little in the
summer.
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