248 Progressive Agriculture 29 (3): 248-258, 2018 ISSN: 1017 - 8139 Profitability, input demand and output supply of tilapia production at Trishal upazila of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh S Islam * , JR Sarker Depatment of Agricultural Economics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh Introduction Bangladesh is considered one of the most suitable countries in the world for freshwater aquaculture, because of its favorable resources and agro-climatic conditions. Aquaculture is expanding faster than any other area of agriculture in Bangladesh (Ali and Haque, 2011). According to FAO statistics 2016, Bangladesh is ranked 5th in world aquaculture production. The total annual fish production in Bangladesh was estimated at 41.34 lakh MT in 2016-17, of which 23.33 lakh MT (56.44 %) were obtained from inland aquaculture, 11.63 lakh MT (28.14%) from inland capture fisheries and 6.37 lakh MT (15.42 %) from marine fisheries (DoF, 2017). The target of fish production was 40.50 lakh MT in 2016-17, but it crossed the target by producing 41.34 lakh MT fish in Bangladesh. Through this remarkable achievement Bangladesh, first time in the history became a self- sufficient country in the fish production providing 62.8 g of fish per person in the daily dietary consumption. Bangladesh is now one of the world leading fish producing country and fisheries sector contributes 3.61% to GDP and 24.41% to agricultural GDP (BER, 2017). Bangladesh has hundreds and thousands of seasonal water bodies in the form of ponds, ditches, shallow road side canals, barrow pits and undoubtedly these water bodies have tremendous potential for aquaculture. These are especially suitable for the culture of fish species with short life cycle, fast growth rate and require low input support. In such cases, tilapia can be a promising fish for aquaculture in Abstract Fisheries sector has high potential for the economic development of Bangladesh. Bangladesh earns a considerable amount of foreign currencies by exporting fish, shrimps and other fisheries products. This study addresses profitability of tilapia production using benefit cost ratio. The study also examines input demand and output supply of tilapia farming in Bangladesh by applying a profit function approach. Results revealed that benefit cost ratio is greater than 1, means that tilapia production is profitable in the study area. Tilapia farmers are also responsive to changes in market prices of inputs and outputs. Tilapia price is the most dominant determinant of output supply and input demand. A 1% increase in tilapia price will increase output supply by 3.836% and increase demand for lime, fingerlings, feed and labour by 0.941%, 0.987%, 0.523% and 1.00%, respectively. Problem facing index analysis shows major problems faced by the farmers were low market price of tilapia, high prices of fish feed with adulteration and inadequate supply of good quality fry. Key words: Tilapia, profitability, input demand, output supply, translog profit function Progressive Agriculturists. All rights reserved *Corresponding Author: shamima0613@gmail.com