Potentiality of water chestnut (Trapa natans) in aquaculture of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to know the contribution of water chestnut (Trapa natans) in the aquaculture of Bangladesh. The study were also performed to know the general biology of the plant, propagation process, growth performance, culture system, problems, harvesting system, per decimal (dec) production etc. Data were collected from four upazilas under four districts for eight months from April to November 2017. Traditional culture system was included in this research work that was practiced by the farmers in our country. During the study some food items were made with water chestnut flour, such as cake, halua, morobba and raw water chestnut was used to make different types of curry. Chemical analysis showed that the moisture content were 96.67%, 90.35%; lipid were 1.20%, 1.65%; protein were 0.30%, 0.94%; carbohydrate were 0.50%, 5.38%; ash were 0.18%, 0.64% and fiber were 1.15%, 1.05%, respectively for green and red water chestnut. The marketing channels from farmers to consumers were passed through a number of intermediaries such as local water chestnut traders (paikers), wholesalers and retailers. The cost-benefit ratio was varied from one farmer to another because of their culture systems, economic capability, labor cost, disease, ownership of land etc. The production cost was BDT 80/dec and benefit was BDT 220/dec in one case, however for other farmer the production cost was BDT 100/dec and benefit was BDT 506.25 for second cases. Improved traditional culture system was used for second cases so farmers got high profit.  If these culture systems are expanded throughout the country especially in flood plain region, farmers will get extra benefit from their land. In Bangladesh, agricultural crops frequently damaged due to flood. If water chestnut in these flood affected land is cultured, farmers will recover their investment and get extra benefit.