Economics of freshwater Mud Eel fattening (Monopterus cuchia) in polyculture system: a case study from Nilphamari, Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study was carried out to analyze the cost and returns as well as to determine the effect of variable inputs on outputs of Monopterus cuchia fattening in polyculture systems. A total of 60 Cuchia farmers were selected from Saidpur upazila in the Nilphamari District. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews from September 2018-April 2019. Average stocking density (no/acre) for M. cuchia, Heteropneustes fossilis, Clarias batrachus and Oreochromis niloticus were 2288±228, 2066±144, 1883±197 and 4842±715, respectively. The average production of Cuchia, shing, magur and tilapia were 979.17±128.65, 368.33±66.36, 330±51.42 and 1027.5±118.76 kg per acre, respectively. The total variable cost was BDT 191,225.9±96565.7 per acre whereas total fixed cost was BDT 85,731.45±6276.64 per acre. In the total variable cost, percentages of labor, feed, fertilization, liming, stocking and other cost were 12.01%, 36.01%, 0.38%, 1.47%, 14.55% and 6.59%, respectively. This study also revealed that per acre gross revenue and net return were BDT 452,025.58±35829 and 173,907.72±24560 respectively. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) value in Cuchia polyculture farming was 1.65. Based on the Cobb-Douglas production function model, fingerling cost and feed cost were significant of Cuchia fattening in polyculture system. The production function analysis also reveals positive effects of different variable costs indicating enough scope to increase production and income from Cuchia fattening in polyculture system with a reduction in production costs and increased market price