Survey on the socio-economic profile of fish farmers in Shivamogga district of Karnataka

Fisheries sector plays a predominant role not only in terms of contributing to our food basket, but also acts as a cheap source of animal protein supporting our rural health, resource potential and employment opportunities. Fisheries sector, which plays a very important role in socio-economic development of the country, has been recognized as a powerful income and employment generator as it stimulates the growth of a number of subsidiary industries and is a source of cheap and nutritious food besides being a valuable foreign exchange earner. Most importantly, fi shery is a source of livelihood for a large section of the economically backward population.


Introduction
Fisheries sector plays a predominant role not only in terms of contributing to our food basket, but also acts as a cheap source of animal protein supporting our rural health, resource potential and employment opportunities. Fisheries sector, which plays a very important role in socio-economic development of the country, has been recognized as a powerful income and employment generator as it stimulates the growth of a number of subsidiary industries and is a source of cheap and nutritious food besides being a valuable foreign exchange earner. Most importantly, fi shery is a source of livelihood for a large section of the economically backward population.
Fish farmers are the backbone of fi sh culture and they were play a very important role in fi sh culture. The livestock production potential is based on the socio economic factors of the farmer [1], which play a vital role in the adoption of improved technologies [2]. The socio-economic background of people determines, to a great extent, their habits and attitudes, which shape their perceptions on entrepreneur activities.
The investigations on socio-economic status of fi sh community and fi sh farmers have been carried out in different states of India by some workers [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Fish culture in Karnataka can be a district sector in view of its vast resource potential, employment opportunities, income generation and source of animal protein in diet. In spite of having about 6.31 lakh hectares inland water resources in the form of rivers, reservoirs, ponds and tanks, at present production is only 86,262 Metric tons [13] and there is considerable further scope to increase inland fi sh production. The state has about 2.93 lakh hectares of ponds and tanks suitable for fi sh culture. However, the information on the level of basic infrastructure, techniques used while culturing the fi shes and socio-economic conditions of fi sh farmers in general and Shimoga district of Karnataka in particular is scanty. Hence, an attempt was undertaken to unearth the socio-economic profi le of fi sh farmers of the study area, diversifi ed areas of interest were focused under the fi eld survey. Soraba) of Shivamogga district were selected randomly and they were interviewed at their pond sites to collect the fi rst hand information with a pre-tested structural questionnaire.

Citation:
Following factors viz., related to their socio-economic status namely, family size, literacy status, age, basic amenities, occupation, package and practices of fi sh culture, operational economics have been studied and the data were calculated on percent basis. The species mix in fi sh seed and stocking rate are two important determinants in economics of pisciculture i.e., cost of production and level of output. Majority of farmers follow medium stocking density (48.9%) that is about 8000/hectare. Remaining 27.6% and 23.5% of farmers stock fi sh seed in low and high stocking densities respectively. It was interesting to note that, the fi sh production was directly related to stocking density of fi sh seed i.e., the maximum fi sh production was observed in optimum stocking of fi sh seed. Integrated farming has been justifi ed as more productive and effi cient approach in many parts of the world [14][15][16][17].

Results and discussion
As far as our survey is concerned majority (82.8%) of fi sh farmers used supplementary feeding for fi sh culture while 17.2% of fi sh farmers are not using supplementary feed which play a vital role in fast growth of fi shes. With regard to the knowledge of fi sh farmers on fi sh diseases nearly 36.5% responded that, they were knowing the same and remaining (63.5%) admitted that they were not having awareness regarding fi sh diseases.
However the reports on incidences of fi sh diseases in our study area is less.
The operational economics of fi sh production of our study area has been analyzed ( Table 2). The total yearly operation cost incurred in fi sh production includes, rent of ponds, assets like net, coracle, expenses on fi nger-lings, manures, feed etc.
per hectare of fi sh production. In our study area average cost of fi sh production per hectare were Rs. 41,100 constituting variable and fi xed expenses. The average net profi t per hectare over yearly operational cost was about Rs. 22,150. Based on these fi nding it implies that returns to capital are about 53.8%, and it proves that it was favorable for investment in aquaculture.
The survey clearly shows that, the socio-economic status of fi sh farmers of this area is in moderate condition and therefore, an effective step should be taken to encourage the fi sh farmers for successful utilization of aqua-wealth of this region for their development and also inland fi sheries.

Conclusion
The study emphasized the socio-economic profi les play a pivotal role in the upliftment of fi sh farming activities.
The socio-economic status of fi sh farmers of this area is in moderate condition. Based on these fi nding it implies that returns to capital is about 53.8%. The maximum fi sh production was observed in optimum stocking of fi sh seed. It was observed that the farmers who are engaged in integrated fi sh culture were getting more profi t compared to fi sheries alone and it proves that it was favorable for investment in aquaculture.