Livelihood status of fishermen in Paba, Mohonpur and Durgapur at Rajshahi District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The present research work was conducted to find out livelihood status of fishermen at Paba, Mohonpur and Durgapur in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh for a period of one year from July 2020 to June 2021. Data were collected from 600 fishermen (Paba, 200; Mohonpur, 200 and Durgapur, 200) through questionnaire interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). It was covered the main fishing communities in Rajshahi area. For data collection, three methods were used such as, personal interview, direct observations and use of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) & FGD (focus groups discussion) tools regarding the fishermen information. Livelihood condition of fishermen were presented in terms of categories of fishermen, types of fishermen, age structure, educational status, family size, status of school going children, religion and marital status, housing condition, occupation, annual income, source of drinking water, sanitary conditions and credit access. It was found that 66-73% professional fishermen, 31-34% can signature, 49-57.50% small family (1-4), 87-92% Muslim and the rest were Hindus and others. Among the occupations of fishermen, only fishing was contributed 48-56.5%. The housing condition was Kacha 57.5-71% and annual income (<1) 1 lac (40.5-52.5%). Most of the fishermen used drinking water mainly Tube well (72.5-77.5%). Most of the fishermen depends on NGO for credit access. They face various problems such as low income, limited alternative income opportunities, inadequate credit system and lack of adequate medical services.