Optimizing Pond Fertilization Regimes and Promoting Collaboration between Academic Institutions and NGOs in Bangladesh ACRSP – UM/AIT Team

Background – Aquaculture in Bangladesh Aquaculture contributes about 46% of the total fish production of 2.2 million tons in Bangladesh. Aquaculture contributes about 46% of the total fish production of 2.2 million tons in Bangladesh. Aquaculture is vital to Bangladesh in terms of nutrition, income, employment generation and foreign exchange earning. Aquaculture is vital to Bangladesh in terms of nutrition, income, employment generation and foreign exchange earning. Major Aquaculture practice - polyculture of 4-7 species of Indian major and Chinese carps in manured and/or fertilized ponds, giving an average production of only 2.8 tons/ha. Major Aquaculture practice - polyculture of 4-7 species of Indian major and Chinese carps in manured and/or fertilized ponds, giving an average production of only 2.8 tons/ha.

Background – NGOs in aquaculture and problems Many NGO’s such as BRAC, PROSHIKA, CARITAS and CARE have been engaging in promoting aquaculture development along with the government. Many NGO’s such as BRAC, PROSHIKA, CARITAS and CARE have been engaging in promoting aquaculture development along with the government. Problems Problems –Different NGO’s as well as government organizations often recommended different fertilization regimes to the rural farmers, and these do not seem to increase yields rather create confusion among the users; –Both over- and under-fertilization cause adverse effects on water quality, fish production, pond effluents and economic returns; –Lack of collaboration between academic institutions and NGOs; –It was therefore necessary to evaluate the performance of different fertilization regimes, and recommend appropriate fertilization strategies to the fish farmers in Bangladesh.

ACRSP Work: On-Station Trial The on-station trial were carried at BAU out to address the following objectives: The on-station trial were carried at BAU out to address the following objectives: –To evaluate the different fertilization regimes currently used in aquaculture; –To compare their effects on water quality, fish production, pond effluents and economic returns; and –To recommend best fertilization regimes to small- scale rural fish farmers.

ACRSP Work: On-Station Trial

Figure 1: Production Figure 2: Benefit-cost ratio

ACRSP Work: On-Farm Trial On-Farm trails were conducted by respective NGOs on farmers’ ponds. On-Farm trails were conducted by respective NGOs on farmers’ ponds. The objectives of the on-farm trials were: The objectives of the on-farm trials were: –To compare BAU fertilization regime with the regimes used by three NGOs namely, PROSIKA, BRAC and CARITAS; and –To compare the effects of BAU and NGOs fertilization schedules on water quality, fish production and economic returns

ACRSP Work: On-Farm Trial On-Farm trails were conducted by respective NGOs on farmers’ ponds. On-Farm trails were conducted by respective NGOs on farmers’ ponds. The objectives of the on-farm trials were: The objectives of the on-farm trials were: –To compare BAU fertilization regime with the regimes used by three NGOs namely, PROSIKA, BRAC and CARITAS; and –To compare the effects of BAU and NGOs fertilization schedules on water quality, fish production and economic returns

ACRSP Work: On-Farm Trial

Considering the production, fertilizer input level, and economic return, all on-farm trials have indicated that BAU fertilized regimes was the most appropriate for carp polyculture in Bangladesh. Considering the production, fertilizer input level, and economic return, all on-farm trials have indicated that BAU fertilized regimes was the most appropriate for carp polyculture in Bangladesh.

ACRSP Work: Fertilization Workshop A one-day workshop on Fertilization Strategies for Pond Culture in Bangladesh was held at Dhaka on 26 June A one-day workshop on Fertilization Strategies for Pond Culture in Bangladesh was held at Dhaka on 26 June This workshop was organized by Aquaculture CRSP and AIT in cooperation with its partners, namely, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and three NGOs (BRAC, CARITAS and PROSHIKA) This workshop was organized by Aquaculture CRSP and AIT in cooperation with its partners, namely, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and three NGOs (BRAC, CARITAS and PROSHIKA) –to disseminate results of on-station and on-farm trials of fertilization strategies sponsored by Aquaculture CRSP –to enhance cooperation between Aquaculture CRSP and academic institutions, government agencies, NGOs and international organizations in Bangladesh.

ACRSP Work: Fertilization Workshop Fifty participants included Fifty participants included –government fisheries officers (DOF) –researchers, university teachers and students from Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Dhaka University and Rajshahi University –NGO extension workers from BRAC, CARITAS, PROSHIKA, PBAEP, TMSS –international organization staff from WorldFish Center, SUFER Project/DFID.

ACRSP Work: Fertilization Workshop It was agreed that BAU fertilization regime will be used by all extension agencies of both GO and NGOs for carp polyculture ponds.

ACRSP Work: Impacts BAU fertilization regimes have been used for pond fertilization at large by all stakeholders and farmers all over Bangladesh. BAU fertilization regimes have been used for pond fertilization at large by all stakeholders and farmers all over Bangladesh. Through field visit and direct communication with the extension agencies in different parts of the country, it has been revealed that ACRSP recommended BAU fertilization regime has been widely used with minor modification where it needed. Through field visit and direct communication with the extension agencies in different parts of the country, it has been revealed that ACRSP recommended BAU fertilization regime has been widely used with minor modification where it needed.