Factors Determining Consumer Preferences for Pangas and Tilapia Fish in Bangladesh: Consumers’ Perception and Consumption Habit Perspective

Tilapia consumption patterns and consumer preferences: Predictors and perspectives of consumers in Ghana

The objective of this study was to assess consumer behaviour towards tilapia and tilapia products and provide information linking production with consumption patterns and preferences as well as to predict factors that influence consumer preference, purchase behaviour, and willingness to patronize tilapia fillets using classification and regression trees. A total of 960 responses were obtained using convenient sampling. The findings of this survey indicate that tilapia is eaten mainly because of its taste. Regarding the various cooked tilapia options available in Ghana, 58.5 % preferred charcoal-grilled tilapia while sixty-six per cent (66 %) preferred to purchase their tilapia in the fresh state. Furthermore, sixty-five per cent (65 %) of the participants revealed that they consume tilapia at least once a month, indicating a link between production and consumption, as well as a continuous market for tilapia fish farmers. Most respondents (85 %) would prefer an easier way to prepare tilapia. The availability of tilapia in a fillet form appealed to about 50.8 % of respondents with 78 % indicating that they would purchase tilapia fillets if they were available on the market. For the parts of tilapia consumed, 70 % indicated that the head of tilapia was important to them and only 49 % of respondents indicated they would buy fillets without the head. The top three preferred fillet options in increasing order were chilled, frozen, and spiced. From the study of associations, income was the most important factor determining whether a consumer would purchase tilapia fillets or not. However, with regards to preference of head or tail region, age was the most important determining factor. Thus, consideration of all these factors would serve as a guide to businesspeople and actors within the tilapia value chain in Ghana and beyond.

Urbanisation threats to dairy cattle health: Insights from Greater Bengaluru, India

Complex urbanisation dynamics, on the one hand, create a high demand for animal products, and on the other hand put enormous pressure on arable land with negative consequences for animal feed production. To explore the impact of accelerated urbanisation on dairy cattle health in urban farming systems, 151 farmers from different parts of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area in India were individually interviewed on aspects addressing cattle management and cattle health. In addition, 97 samples of forages from the shores of 10 different lakes, and vegetable leftovers used in cattle feeding were collected for nutritional analysis. Along with the use of cultivated forages, crop residues, and concentrate feed, 47% and 77% of the farmers occasionally or frequently used lake fodder and food leftovers, respectively. Nutritionally, lake fodder corresponded to high-quality pasture vegetation, but 43% of the samples contained toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead above official critical threshold levels. Therefore, lake fodder may affect cows' health if consumed regularly; however, heavy metal concentrations varied between lakes (P < 0.05), but not between fodder types (P > 0.05). Although 60% of the interviewed farmers believed that their cows were in good health, logit model applications revealed that insufficient drinking water supply and the use of lake fodder negatively impacted cattle health (P < 0.05). While it remains unknown if regular feeding of lake fodder results in heavy metal accumulation in animal products, farmers and farm advisors must address this and other urbanization-related challenges to protect cattle health.

Fish availability and market channel in Rajbari, Bangladesh

Knowledge about fisheries market margins and fish availability in the market is crucial to establish an effective and well-planned marketing strategy. Hereby, the study was conducted to bring some knowledge on the availability of raw and processed fish and its marketing channel in Rajbari Sadar, Bangladesh from June to December 2020. Here, data were collected from fish traders and consumers of the target markets through questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and field visits. The study found 107 fish and shellfish species in these markets, of which more than 50% species were commonly available and less than 10% were found very rarely. The study also observed 18 types of processed fish products in these markets including dried (77.77%), salted (16.67%) and fermented (5.56%) products arriving from mostly Dhaka and Chattogram. The markets were dominated by wild freshwater fishes of nearby rivers, ponds and canals etc. The length of processed and marine fish marketing channel was comparatively longer than freshwater one because these items are supplied here from coastal districts via several intermediaries. The study revealed remarkable market margin for hilsa fish even noticed up to 57.14% at consumer level. There was also observed some major constraints to a good marketing system such as unplanned market location, insufficient drainage system, high transportation cost, etc. Based on the constraints, the study would suggest to establish a well-planned and modern equipped fish market with high quality cold storage and ice factories, which could help to ensure smoother transaction route from production to customer minimizing economic loss.

Consumer fish consumption preferences and contributing factors: empirical evidence from Rangpur city corporation, Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Fish is the important source of animal protein and regarded as the second food after rice in Bangladesh. Fish consumption is influenced by consumer socioeconomic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

The specific objectives of the current study are (i) to find information on consumers' fish consumption levels; (ii) to assess the relationships between consumer's preferences and their socioeconomic characteristics; and (iii) to investigate the factors affecting consumer fish consumption.

METHOD

We surveyed a total of 128 randomly selected respondents from the Rangpur city corporation (RPCC), Bangladesh in 2019 using a semi-structural questionnaire.

MAIN FINDINGS

The average consumption level of fish per quarterly was 1.45 kg/person. Rui (Labeo rohita), Pangas (Pangasius), Hilsha (Tenualosa ilesha) and Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were the most frequently consumed fish species. Significant differences in consumption level were observed among the age categories, profession, gender, education, and income levels (p < 0.05). Most participants consumed fish more than once a week throughout the year and there was no seasonal impact on fish consumption. Fish consumption level was significantly and positively associated with education and income levels and negatively associated with age categories (p < 0.01). The stepwise multiple regression method elucidated 53.7% of the variance (p < 0.05) for fish consumption.

CONCLUSION

Fish consumption in the RPCC is lower than the average consumption level in Bangladesh particularly for lower income people. Lack of proper knowledge on fish consumption value and high price appeared as the important barrier to increase the fish consumption.

Assessment of organic shrimp farming sustainability from economic and environmental viewpoints in Bangladesh

The study assessed the economic, environmental and sustainability issues of organic shrimp farming in Bangladesh. Following stratified random sampling technique, 60 farmers were interviewed from several villages of Assasuni upazila under Satkhira district. The study revealed that productivity of organic shrimp per hectare was 383 pound and benefit cost ratio was 1.91 which meant that organic shrimp farming was highly profitable. Educational level of household head, gher size and knowledge on organic shrimp production had positive and significant influence in adopting organic shrimp production by the farmers. Cause-effect-mitigation analysis pointed out that organic shrimp farming could mitigate the adverse effects on environment caused by traditional shrimp farming. Appropriate climate and environment for organic shrimp culture was found as major strength and comparative profitability than traditional shrimp production was found as major opportunity of organic shrimp production. The study confirmed sustainability of organic shrimp production from the standpoint of consuming energy, protecting environment, economic feasibility and social/political equity. The study recommends that farmers should be trained to follow the work instructions and principles of organic shrimp production and the application of good management practices (GMPs) should be ensured for reducing the disease outbreak risk.