Choice of Fishes for Consumption by the Rural People of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted in Badalgachi upazila (sub-district) of Naogaon district to reveal the present status of fish consumption by the rural people, from June 2012 to November 2012. A total of 41 rural households were surveyed. Maximum 85.40% respondents preferred fishes rather than meat as an animal protein source and silver carp was found as the most commonly consumed fish, consumed by 41.5% households (HHs). HHs in the studied areas did not give priority on nutrient content of fishes. Majority 65.85% HHs purchased and consumed those fishes which were cheap. Only 4.88% HHs members purchased fishes keeping nutritional content on their mind. Rate of fish consumption was found too poor. The HHs consumed fish only in 2.80±1.81 days in a week. Average amount of fishes consumed in a HH was 1012.20±399.03 g/week and per head fish consumption was 37.05 g/day. Hilsa was consumed frequently in 41.46% HHs in past, but now it became a rare item in their diet. Respondents have mentioned unavailability of non-cultured fishes at present which indirectly indicating the loss of fish diversity and abundance in water bodies nearby.

Citation: Galib SM, Naser SMA, Mohsin ABM, Chaki N and Fahad MFH (2013) Choice of Fishes for Consumption by the Rural People of Bangladesh. Trends in Fisheries Research 2(1): 20-23