Role of social media in advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh: Potentials and challenges

Abstract

Aquaculture production contributes 56.24 percent of the total fish production in Bangladesh. The study was conducted to explore the role and feasibility of social media in advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh and its potentiality and challenges. Nowadays internet is used by 57.2% of total population of Bangladesh. Social media has become ubiquitous and social capital allows a person to draw on resources from other members of the networks to which he or she belongs. To collect empirical data a number of qualitative and quantitative tools such as questionnaire interviews, focus group discussion and oral history from different stakeholders were employed. The study identified 40 communities about aquaculture techniques, systems and information sharing on Facebook, the most popular social media in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country consisting of different remote areas such as Haor regions, hilly regions are not easily accessible for physical extension work of fisheries and aquaculture. Establishing the social media as a bridge between extension organization and fish farmers can contribute to make more profitable and sustainable aquaculture sector. On the other way, social media can play important role in fisheries and aquaculture research field. Based on literature review, interview from different stakeholders the research analysis has proposed a conceptual frame work for potentiality of social media in advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh. The study has also identified the challenges of establishment of social media as a tool for aquaculture extension service and prepared some recommendations. The study has found, Social media can be used to spread new techniques and culture practices to the field. Building community network, developing community infrastructure and community based fisheries management will be also easy to implement through the utilization of social media.

Full text

Bangladesh J. Fish. (2020) 32(1) (Supplement) : 207-212
Role of social media in advancement of aquaculture in
Bangladesh: Potentials and challenges
MD RAJIBUL ISLAM
*
, IFTEKHAR AHMED FAGUN
1*
AND SAKIB TAHMID RISHAN
Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University
1
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
*Email: rajib.islam2005@gmail.com
The paper was presented at the Fisheries Society of Bangladesh Biennial Conference on
Fisheries in the Bangladesh Blue Economy- Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract. Aquaculture production contributes 56.24 percent of the total fish production in Bangladesh. The
study was conducted to explore the role and feasibility of social media in advancement of aquaculture in
Bangladesh and its potentiality and challenges. Nowadays internet is used by 57.2% of total population of
Bangladesh. Social media has become ubiquitous and social capital allows a person to draw on resources from
other members of the networks to which he or she belongs. To collect empirical data a number of qualitative
and quantitative tools such as questionnaire interviews, focus group discussion and oral history from different
stakeholders were employed. The study identified 40 communities about aquaculture techniques, systems and
information sharing on Facebook, the most popular social media in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country
consisting of different remote areas such as Haor regions, hilly regions are not easily accessible for physical
extension work of fisheries and aquaculture. Establishing the social media as a bridge between extension
organization and fish farmers can contribute to make more profitable and sustainable aquaculture sector. On
the other way, social media can play important role in fisheries and aquaculture research field. Based on
literature review, interview from different stakeholders the research analysis has proposed a conceptual frame
work for potentiality of social media in advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh. The study has also
identified the challenges of establishment of social media as a tool for aquaculture extension service and
prepared some recommendations. The study has found, Social media can be used to spread new techniques
and culture practices to the field. Building community network, developing community infrastructure and
community based fisheries management will be also easy to implement through the utilization of social media.
Keywords: Social Media, Aquaculture, Framework
Introduction
Bangladesh is a country of rivers and tributaries. These water bodies are abounding in fishery
resources. Fisheries is one of the most promising sectors for Bangladesh. The economy of
Bangladesh mostly dependent on fisheries for the last few decades. The overall growth
performance from inland aquaculture shows a moderate increased trend due to dissemination of
improved technology packages and supportive/need-based extension services at farmer’s level.
In comparison to 2008-09 FY production (10.63 lakh MT), the aquaculture production became
more than double in 2017-18 FY (24.05 lakh MT) (DoF 2018). The Ministry of Fisheries and
Livestock (MoFL), Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute
(BFRI), and Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) are the main organizations
for development of aquaculture in Bangladesh. Universities, organizations within other
ministries, local and international NGOs are also involved in this sector. The total population of
Bangladesh is 168,065,920 and 96,199,000 people use internet among them which is 57.2% of
total population. Besides this 28,000,000 people use Facebook in Bangladesh (Internet World
Stats). To achieve the current challenges, several socio-eco-friendly programs are being

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ADVANCEMENT OF AQUACULTURE IN BANGLADESH
208
implemented to increase the productivity of inland open waters. These programs include
community based fisheries management, establishment of beel nurseries, stocking of fingerlings.
Besides this social networking site can be good tools for the people of remote area in
Bangladesh. The people easily can adopt the new technology and required information from
here. It can also contribute to save endangered species, restoration of habitats, establishment and
maintenance of sanctuaries, expansion of cage and pen farming in feasible water areas etc. The
study was conducted to assess the present status of utilizing the social media for development of
aquaculture in Bangladesh. The study also identified the role of social media in developing this
sectors, its potentials and challenges.
Materials and Methods
Study site and period
: The geographical areas considered in the study as potential for utilize
social media as an extension tool where physical access is going tough. Sylhet, Sunamganj,
Baniachong upazila of Habiganj and Bogra districts were the study sites. The study period was
January to July 2019.
Data acquisition and analysis
: Primary data were collected through in-depth individual
interviews with different stakeholders. Hundred interviews were done with 70 interviews from
fish farmers, 15 interviews from extension personnel and 15 interviews from academic
personnel. Interviews were semi structured and also gave chance for free flowing chat. The
empirical data were tabulated and analyzed through Microsoft excel (version 2016).
Results and Discussion
Present status of utilizing social media in advancement of aquaculture
: The present study
portrayed that majority (92%) of the fisheries extension personnel use Facebook as social media
to connect with others. Beside this, 24% use Instagram, 2% use twitter and 89% use YouTube
(Fig. 1). They share assorted contents of new technologies and practices of aquaculture on social
media from their idiosyncratic accounts. Connected fish farmers show interest inquisitiveness on
their shared contents and extension personnel tries to give them explicit information.
The analysis also disclosed that fish farmers also use smart phones as well as they use social
media only for get updates and connect with others from the social system where they belong.
Most of the surveyed fish farmers (67%) use Facebook as social media, 4% fish farmers use
Instagram and 2% fish farmers use twitter and 24% of them use YouTube (Fig. 2). Even, it was
also found that the fish farmer who live in the remote area also use the Facebook in a daily
basis.
Fish farmers try to gain knowledge on technologies from social media. They are associated
to different Facebook communities. The study found almost 40 communities for sharing
information of aquaculture and problem solving on Facebook (Table I). In these groups both
professionals from fisheries sector, researchers, students and fish farmers are belonged. These
Facebook groups are an exclusive space for its users to interact, discuss and share information
of common interest.

MD RAJIBUL ISLAM
et al.
209
Fig. 1. Preference of different social media by extension personnel.
Fig. 2. Preference of different social media by fish farmers.
Perceived benefits of utilizing social media in aquaculture development
: From the
questionnaire interview of different stakeholders, the study identified beneficiary effects of
utilizing social media for development of aquaculture in Bangladesh.
Useful in seeking solutions to these problems:
a. Fish larvae matters, b. Health management
issues of fish, c. Water quality issues, d. Feed affairs.
Aquaculture cultivation technique
: (a) Preparation phase of aquaculture, (b)Feeding method
(c). Water quality management, (d) Disease and parasite management, (e) Production control,
and (f) Harvest.
Marketing facts
: (a) Advertising (b) Promotion, (c) Selling

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Table I. List of aquaculture related platform on facebook in Bangladesh
Sl No. Name Type Member Activity
(per week)
01 Biofloc fish farming Bangladesh Aquaculture
and Hydroponic
Closed Group 2,000 70+ posts
02 Color Fish Associaation of Bangladesh Closed Group 2,900 65+ posts
03 Nature Based Fish Farming Public Group 19652 23+ posts
04 Kazi Abed Latif Online Fisheries Academy Public Group 1981 14+ posts
05 Fishing Materials in Banhladesh Public Group 466 16+ posts
06 Biofluke Fish Farming Support Bangladesh Closed Group 254 28+ posts
07 Fisheries for sustainable Development Public Group 136 17+ posts
08 Biofloc Technology Bd Technology Dependent
fish Farming
Public Group 2079 6+ posts
09 BioFloc Agro Farm – Z&Z Agro Farm Public Group 132 12+ posts
10 Fisheries Bangladesh Public Group 17644 9+ posts
11 We are fish farmer Bengali!! Public Group 8563 10+ posts
12 Nature and technology in fish farming Public Group 776 4+ posts
13 Aquaculture in Bangladesh Public Group 5784 8+ posts
14 Bangladesh Fish Farmer Association Public Group 3137 9+ posts
15 Bangladesh Aquaculture and Fish Farming Closed Group 5959 11+ posts
16 Fish Farming Public Group 2861 10+ posts
17 Pond Fish Farming Enterpreneur Public Group 4021 13+ posts
18 BANGLADESH AQUA ZONE (B.A.Z) Public Group 11000 26+ posts
19 Biofloc Fish Technology Bangladesh Public Group 152 4+ posts
20 Biofloc Product & Help Center Public Group 229 4+ posts
21 Biofloc Farming System Official Group Public Group 49 3+ posts
22 Fish Diagnosis & Consulation Center Public Group 14 2+ posts
23 Biofloc Fish Farming Public Group 59 4+ posts
24 Biofluck Problem and Solution Public Group 160 3+ posts
25 Biofloc Project Discussion & Research Biofloc Public Group 110 3+ posts
26 Technology-based fish farming Public Group 1431 7+ posts
27 Rajibul’s Biofloc Fish Farming group Public Group 261 2+ posts
28 Borsi Market Public Group 1119 6+ posts
29 Pond Fish Farming Public Group 47828 51+ posts
30 Biofloc Bangladesh Public Group 115 4+ posts
31 To Dream Angler BD Public Group 710 5+ posts
32 Bangladesh Aqurium plant Buy and sell Public Group 1721 3+ posts
33 Fishkeepers BD Public Group 4354 6+ posts
34 Bangladesh Fisheries Community Facebook Page 8895 10+ posts
35 Pond Fish Farming Facebook Page 9878 12+ posts
36 Department of Fisheries (BD) Facebook Page 6321 19+ posts
37 Fisheries in Bangladesh Public Group 860 14+ posts
38 Bangladesh Aquaculture Group (BAG) Public Group 1000 21+ posts
39 Aquaculture Business Bangladesh Public Group 1800 6+ posts
40 Bangladesh fisheries forum Public Group 99 5+ posts
Updated information sharing
: (a) Aquaculture merchandise, (b) System and technology, (c)
Current issues on aquaculture, and (d) Price variation

MD RAJIBUL ISLAM
et al.
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Other facts
: Assorted information can be obtained in multiple forms (texts, pictures, photos,
audio-visuals, booklets, word documents, and screenshots), through discussions doubts get
elucidated, scope of continuous learning and connect to scientific information. It helps in
networking, acknowledgement and dictation in aquaculture.
Fig. 3. Conceptual framework on role of social media in advancement of aquaculture.
Fig. 3. Conceptual framework on role of social media in advancement of aquaculture.
Role of social media in aquaculture research
: Fisheries researcher utilize social media as tool
for collecting empirical data as farmers share their problems and research needs on social media.
Social media nowadays plays active role in transferring feedback of technologies.
Conceptual framework on role of social media in advancement of aquaculture
: The study
revealed information sharing and extension of aquaculture through social media is scattered in
Bangladesh. A systematical approach is needed to implement social media utilization in
development of aquaculture in Bangladesh. Based on scientific research and data, the research
analysis has proposed a conceptual framework for the potential role of social media in
advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh.
Constraints analysis of utilizing social media in advancement of aquaculture
: Based on
empirical data, the research analysis identified some major constraints of present practice or
utilization of social media in aquaculture advancement. These are: (a) Incongruous posts and
content sharing, (b) Tardy internet connectivity, (c) High internet data requirement, (d) Lack of
adequate connected fisheries personnel on social media, (e) Inconveniences in understanding and
proper application of information, (f) Fake information sharing and rumor, (g) Lack of
knowledge of farmers on using safe internet, (h) Lack of adequate platform and contents

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN ADVANCEMENT OF AQUACULTURE IN BANGLADESH
212
regarding aquaculture problem solution issues, (i) Lack of systematic and authorized platform
for technology transfer, demonstration and information sharing, (j) Lack of adequate
administration on user’s behavior and shared contents on social media.
Social media have become already popular in developed countries as an extension tool of
aquaculture. In Bangladesh it is now utilized in a sporadic way. Iburahim et al. (2018) found 58
aquaculture related communities on Facebook in India. The majority (88%) of scientists
confirmed having a Facebook account, and 75% indicated that they used Facebook to follow
pages that focus on science, while 33% indicated that they were administrators of a page that
focuses on science (Collins et al. 2016). In the workplace scientists are using social media. And
the feedback of technologies can be gathered through social media. As social media is popular in
Bangladesh and many fish farmer nowadays can afford smartphone, then it could be the prime
extension tool of aquaculture in near future.
Implementing proper strategies, highly systematic administration and establishment of
authorized platform can ensure the sustainable utilization of social media in development of
aquaculture in Bangladesh.
Recommendations
: Based on literature review, observations, interview with relevant
stakeholders, the following recommendations have been made to ensure secured and sustainable
utilization of social media in advancement of aquaculture in Bangladesh: (a) Improvement of
internet connectivity, (b) Establishment of authorized platform on social media and should be
managed by authorized personnel, (c) Awareness raising and training should conduct on using
safe internet among fish farmers, (d) Adequate demonstration of technologies and practices
through audio-visual contents should be shared, (e) Minimizing the extent of irrelevant and fake
information sharing, (f) Smart phone application can be developed for fish farmers to give
solutions on their problems, (g) Collaboration of specialists from aquaculture, fish biology and
genetics, aquatic resource management and fish health management for information sharing and
problem solution, (h) Fish farmer’s queries can be answered by utilizing live sharing services of
different social media, (i) Scattered information sharing platforms on social media should be
organized and authorized, (j) Build up the practice of feedback sharing of technologies through
social media to the authorized platform
Literature Cited
Collins, K., D. Shiffman and J. Rock, 2016. How are scientists using social media in the workplace? PLoS
ONE, 11(10): e0162680. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162680
DoF, 2008. Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh, 2017-18. Fisheries Resources Survey System
(FRSS), Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh. Ministry of Fisheries, 2018. Volume 35: 129 p.
Iburahim S.A., B. Rathinam, S. Pradhan and J. Kumar, 2018. Facebook fisheries: a tool towards
improvement of fisheries and fishers. Fish. Chimes., 38 No. 4: 44-46.
Internet World Stats. 2019. https://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm