Indian Journal of Environmental Sciences 19(1&2) 2015, pp. 71-78 Green Earth Foundation SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL PROFILE OF FISH FARMERS: A STUDY IN ANDAROUND THE LUMDING TOWN, NAGAON DISTRICT OF ASSAM Tapashi Gupta* and Mithra Dey Department of Zoology, Lumding College, Lumding-782447 IDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar *Corresponding Author ABSTRACT Livelihood generation through fish culture is an age old practice and especially so in places where fish forms an integral part of both social and cultural life. Fish and rice is staple food for the people of Assam. Assam is gifted with abundant freshwater resources which can generate food and income if utilize to full potential. The study was conducted in Lumding town to identify factors that influence the socio-economic condition of fish farmers, who were involved in culturing various fish species in ponds and how the adoption of modern fish farming technology would help in improving their status. Data were collected from 110 respondents randomly sampled, through questionnaire survey and a structured interview schedule. There are 171 fish ponds in and around Lumding and among fish farmers men outnumbered women. Most of the farmers belonged to scheduled caste (54.5%) and 51 % elders were engaged in fish farming. Majority of the fish farmers had their own land and practiced fish farming as primary occupation from many decades. Majority of their family size was large. The study reveals that their income from fish farming was too low (60% earned Rs. 20,000-30,000/year). Most of them were borrowers and took financial help from their friends and relatives. They spent their earnings for basic needs like food and children's education. They had low institutional participation and lack of technical training. Poverty, lack of marketing facilities and lack of technical training are the major hurdles in the path of good income generation for fish farmers. Initiative from Government fisheries department, NGOs and awareness generation are necessary. Key words: Socio-economic profile, adoption of new farming technology, ponds, technical knowledge INTRODUCTION The socio-economic characteristics pertaining to demography means ofproduction and investment, income and expenditure ofpeople living in a particular location strongly influence their response to technological changes and participation in the development schemes. Lack ofauthentic information on socio- economic condition ofthe target group is one of the serious impediments in the successful implementation of developmental programmes. In fisheries sector, several micro and macro level socio-economic surveys had been conducted by various agencies and research workers in different regions ofour country to study one or the other problem offish farmer community. However, attempts have not been made to carry out similar studies among inland fish culturists, particularly of Lumding of Assam. Lumding town is the second biggest town ofNagaon district, Assam. Nagaon district is situated in central part ofAssam. It lies between 25 °45 1 and 26 °45 I North latitudes & 91 ° 50 1 and 93 °20 lEast Latitudes. A large section ofthe people ofLumding depends on Agriculture, Poultry, and Fishery etc. as their livelihood. There are 171 fish ponds have been constructed and stocked with fish in Lumding and its adjacent area and few ofthem have not utilized to its full potential. METHODOLOGY Sources of data: During collection of data, both primary and secondary sources are considered. Primary data were collected from fish farmers whereas secondary information was procured from fishery offices. Statistical tools used: For calculation of percentage, mean statistical tool like MS-Excel was used Socio-economic research variables Ten variables were identified in socio-domain viz., gender of fish farmer, age, education, landholding, family size, institutional participation and in economic domain, sources of income, income-expenditure pattern etc. were included. A structured interview scheduled was developed incorporating all the queries to accomplish the objectives set