ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to assess the livelihoods of the people involved in pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) farming in four sub-districts of Mymensingh in Bangladesh, Mymensingh Sadar, Muktagacha, Bhaluka and Trisal sub-district, from April 2005 to March 2006 using PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) tools. For this study, a total of 117 respondents were randomly chosen, among them 7 hatchery owners, 20 nursery pond owners, 20 fingerling traders, 30 pangus farmers and 40 market intermediaries were selected from different points in Mymensingh district. After pangus farming, the average annual income of each hatchery owner, nursery pond owner, fingerling trader, farmer and fish trader was estimated at Tk. 253,640, Tk. 364,945, Tk. 44,190, Tk. 452,172 and Tk. 171,091, respectively. Though some problems existed in pangus farming and the marketing system, livelihood outcomes were positive and, among the respondents, 100% of hatchery owners, 90% of nursery pond owners, 60% of fingerling traders, 93% of pangus farmers and 80% of fish traders have improved their socio-economic condition through their respective professions in pangasiid catfish farming.
