African Journal of Fisheries Science

ISSN 2375-0715

African Journal of Fisheries Science Vol. 1 (2), pp. 005-010, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Training needs of the freshwater fish growers in Assam, India

Uttam Kumar Baruah*, Jyotish Barman, Hitu Choudhury and Popiha Bordoloi

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Goalpara, National Research Centre on Pig, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dudhnoi – 783124, Assam, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +919854021839. Fax: +913663281964.

Accepted 5 July, 2013

Abstract

A study was conducted in five rural development blocks of India to investigate the training needs of freshwater fish growers. A total of fifty fish growers having training exposures were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Independent variables included thirteen socio-economic parameters and dependant variables included seven critical technical areas. Frequency and percentage, mean score, standard deviation (SD), co-efficient of variance (CV) and simple correlation were analyzed. The study revealed that majority of the respondents need trainings on water quality management (80%). Only 16 and 10% respondents expressed training need on fish seed handling and transportation, and fish nutrition and feeding, respectively. Negatively significant correlations were observed between interest and attitude towards fish farming age and education. Individual independent characteristic and training needs of the farmers had negative correlations with education (X2) (p<0.01) and attitude (X13) (p<0.05). Positively significant correlation between possession of pond (X5) and age (X1) (p<0.01), income (X4) and age (X1) (p<0.01), economic motivation (X7) and age (X1) (p<0.01), decision-making ability (X8) and age (X1) (p<0.05), attitude (X13) and education (X2) (p<0.05), income (X4) and main occupation (X3)(p<0.05). The study concluded that before assessing the training needs, the fish growers of the district should be made aware of the latest technologies in aquaculture.

Key words: Assessment, training needs, freshwater fish growers.