A Study on Fish Production of Different Size of Fish Farm Groups in Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh

Background: Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state having 1662 lakh population as per 2001 census, against 16.2% of India’s population with enough fisheries resources in the form of community ponds, tanks with dominance of rivers and man-made reservoirs. Five blocks (Koraon, Shankargarh, Karchhana, Handia, and Jasara) from Prayagraj were taken for study during the period of 1st December,2020 - 31st May,2021.

Aim: To examine the fish production of different size of fish farm groups.

Methodology: A study was conducted in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 80 fish farmers were selected randomly from five blocks (Koraon, Shankargarh, Karchhana, Handia, and Jasara) and a pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the fish farmers. The fish farmers were classified into three categories on the basis of the size of pond area viz. small farmer: up to 0.125 ha., medium farmer: 0.125 ha to 0.250 ha., and large farmer: above 0.250 ha.

Result: The Study showed that, various independent variables of production like fingerlings, manures, feeds, and labor were being analysed in accordance with their respective sample of fish ponds and it is concluded that all of the independent variables affected the fish production differently. Using Cobb Douglas production function, 73% variation in gross value return from explanatory variables was observed in first size-group. Effect of Improved variety fingerlings was negative and coefficient of elasticity for human labor was positive but both impacted fish production significantly. A variation of 41.6% in gross value return was observed from second size group. Human labor impacted fish production significantly and its coefficient of elasticity was positive. Further, 45.7% of variation in gross value return was in third size group. Human labor and manure both had a significant effect, and their coefficients of elasticity was positive and negative respectively. Coefficient of multiple determination was 76.6% indicating variation in gross value return from independent variable from all farm’s situations. Pond area and human labor variables had positive coefficient of elasticity but for improved fingerlings it was negative and all effected fish production significantly.

Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a need to further engage the fish farmers in the fish production practices and provide them with sufficient inputs of production like fingerlings, manures, feeds, and labor so that the farmers can boost the fish production in the study area.