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.