Problems and Its Related Factors Affecting the Hatchery Owners in Producing Fish Seeds in Rural Bangladesh

Bangladesh ranks high among the world’s leading fish producing countries. However, there is need to consistently increase fish production for feeding the growing population as well as meeting global demand. Production and supply of quality fish seeds is the precondition for successful fish farming and production, which is often hindered by multitude of problems. The study was conducted to identify the problems affecting the hatchery owners in producing quality fish seeds and its associated factors. Empirical data were collected from 70 randomly selected hatchery owners in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh during March and April 2019 using a structured interview questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the data. Major findings indicate that most of the hatchery owners (98.6%) experienced medium extent of problems in fish seed production, followed by high extent of problems (1.4%). In general, problems associated with financial capital, such as lack of capital to pay electricity bills (PFS = 199 out of 210) and high cost of fish feeds (PFS = 196) were found important for the hatchery owners. On the contrary, lack of knowledge of optimum doses of hormones use (PFS = 59) in fish seed production was identified as the least important problem. Correlation analysis suggested that annual income, hatchery management experience, investment at the hatchery, organizational participation, extension media contact, and knowledge of hatchery management were significantly associated with problems in fish seeds production. Moreover, multiple linear regression identified that extension media contact and hatchery management knowledge were the highest contributing factors that can explain variation in the focus variable by 17.2% and 16.2%, respectively. The study identified some opportunities for policymakers to address the important factors for reducing problems in producing fish seeds. Moreover, frequent contact with the extension service providers and adequate training on hatchery management might be effective measures in minimizing problems of the hatchery owners in the study areas.