Sign in Subscribe
Farmers

Economic Aspects of Composite Fish Farming in West Bengal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, with funding from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and ICAR Junior Research Fellowship, has examined the economic aspects of composite fish farming with Indian major carps in West Bengal. The study used cost concepts and the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the efficiency of resource use in the region. The findings suggest that fish farming can be a profitable livelihood enterprise, but significant challenges, including water scarcity and labor shortages, need to be addressed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The total cost of setting up a fish pond in the research region was estimated to be approximately Indian Rupee1,92,168 ha(-1).
  • Variable costs and fixed costs accounted for approximately 95.07% and 4.92% of the total cost, respectively.
  • The return on investment per rupee was roughly Indian Rupee1.24, indicating that fish farming can be a profitable enterprise.
  • Resource use efficiency demonstrated that resources in fish production were not being used to their full potential.
  • Production of fish can be increased significantly by involving more human labor and feed management.
  • Post-harvest management facilities, such as proper storage and cold chain, are necessary to overcome the problem of perishability.
  • The cost of feed and labor are increasing significantly over the years, making it essential to calculate projected profit before starting fish farming.

Statistics:

  • Indian Rupee1,92,168: estimated total cost of setting up a fish pond per hectare.
  • 95.07%: proportion of variable costs in the total cost.
  • 4.92%: proportion of fixed costs in the total cost.
  • Indian Rupee1.24: return on investment per rupee.
  • 2025: publication year of the research.

Sources:

  • Indian Journal of Fisheries, 2025;72(2):133-138: Peer-reviewed research on composite fish culture for strengthening income of fish farmers in West Bengal, India.
  • Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Mohanpur 741 252, West Bengal, India: Contact information for Saikat Chatterjee, additional author of the research.
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Funding organization for the research.
  • NewsRx LLC: Copyright 2025, news reporting agency.

Read more