MANAGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL FISH MARKETING IN KAMRUP (METRO) DISTRICT OF ASSAM
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Date
2017-07
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AAU, Jorhat
Abstract
Ornamental fish keeping and its propagation has been an interesting activity for many, which provide not only aesthetic pleasure but also financial openings. The present study was conducted in Kamrup (Metro) district of Assam to see the present status, management aspect of rearing, production and breeding, and problems associated with marketing of ornamental fish. For the study a sample of 30 ornamental shop owners was selected using simple proportionate random sampling technique. Selected shop owners were further categorized into three groups based on their shop rearing size viz., Group I (500 sq.ft.).
Regarding present status of ornamental fish business in Assam, it was found that about 80% of ornamental fishes from India to international market are exported via Kolkata airport, of which the lion’s share (more than 80%) is contributed from North Eastern Region. Out of 250 potential ornamental fish species in North East, Assam recorded the highest number of species (187), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (165), Meghalaya (159), Manipur (139), Tripura (103), Nagaland (71), Mizoram (46), and Sikkim (29). There were only 20 aquarium shops in Guwahati up to 2004 (Bhattacharyya and Choudhury, 2004) which increased to 88 aquarium shops in 2016 (Department of Fisheries, GoA). Presently only 11 persons are associated with breeding of ornamental fishes in Guwahati.
With respect to management aspects of rearing and breeding, it was found that most of the recommended equipments and accessories were used by the shop owners except cement tank, quarantine tanks and heating apparatus, which were not used by them due to involvement of higher costs. Similarly, majority of the shop owners used recommended management practices. Marketing costs was found highest for crocodile fish (Rs. 1267.00), followed by parrot fish (Rs. 1175.00). Similarly, marketing margin was highest for discus (Rs. 35,913.00), followed by arawana (Rs. 28,364.00) and parrot fish (Rs. 14,288.00) respectively.
Manpower problem was emerged as the most severe problem in breeding of ornamental fishes. Breeding problem, high cost, electricity problem, non availability of good quality brood fish, mortality of new born babies etc. were some other problems identified during the present study. Mortality of reared fishes and higher transportation costs were identified as the major two problems faced by the firms in rearing of ornamental fishes. Fluctuations in demand was the major problem faced in marketing of ornamental fishes. Change of customer choice and manpower problem were the next two important marketing problems faced by the respondent firms.
Among the problem related to breeding the most encountered problems were manpower problem followed by complicacy of breeding process and high cost. Similarly mortality, higher transportation cost and financial problems were the major rearing problems. The major marketing problems were high cost of accessories, electricity problem and manpower problem.