Description

Abstract: Tilapia are currently having important impacts on poor people in developing countries, both as cultured species in household-management systems and through access to fish produced in informal and formal fisheries. But in Bangladesh, despite several attempts made by Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Department of Fisheries (DoF), and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), dissemination and adoption of this species could not reach any wider scale. The present study was conducted to map out the underlying reasons that constrain the adoption of this species in the country. Results of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and, correlation and regression analysis indicated that skill training, contact with private fish hatchery, DoF and BFRI, and organizational membership significantly facilitated farmers to adopt this species. On the other hand, non-availability and high price of quality seed, difficult technology, lack of appropriate technical information and technical support, and high price of feed appeared as significant factors that constrained farmers to adopt it. Based on findings of the study, some specific recommendations as well as a broad policy model are suggested, aiming at promoting the dissemination and adoption of tilapia in a wider scale in the country.