Constraints analysis in the ornamental fish production venture in South 24 Paraganas district, West Bengal

Indian Ornamental fish has great demand in International market. A major portion of the ornamental fish production in India comes from South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal and Hence, the district was selected purposively for the study. Total 200 ornamental fish producers were surveyed to identify the major constraints and suggestions perceived by them. ‘Rank Based Quotient’ (RBQ) method propounded by Sabarathnam and Vennila (1996) was used to analyze the constraints. Among the all domains of constraints studied, marketing (rank- 1) was identified as the major binding factor, followed by diseases (rank-2) and financial constraints (rank-3). Despite of huge export potential of ornamental fish, farmers were mostly found in lacking of information on export potentiality. Mortality of ornamental fishes in peak winter and summer periods were also hindering the profit of the business venture. Farmers were facing difficulties in getting license for brooders import. Existence of gap in acquiring advanced technologies on farming practices and social-network among ornamental fish producers were also identified as one of the major issues. Farmers suggested standard rates as per the size and type of ornamental fish may be fixed. Market information, contract farming and subsidy in bank loan were also suggested by majority of the farmers. A convergence approach of regulating agencies such as MPEDA, NFDB and Government of West Bengal to take appropriate remedial measures to combat the identified constraints in the present study and overcome the setback in the viable venture.