Economic viability of fish farming compared to crop cultivation

The low consumption of fish in Pakistan prompted an economic analysis of fish farming, which was conducted in two districts with the highest number of fish farms: Muzaffargarh and Khanewal. A random selection of 50 fish farms from each district was made to estimate the profitability of fish farming. To compare with crop cultivation, data from 50 farmers in the crop sector were also collected, and an economic analysis was performed. The study found that fish farming was more profitable than crop farming in the study area, with net income per acre estimated at Rs. 252,426 for fish farming, compared to Rs. 58,612 for wheat-cotton, Rs. 72,662 for cotton-rice, and Rs. 53,290 for sugarcane cultivation. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of fish farming was calculated at 1:1.52 and 1:1.74 with and without land rent, respectively, indicating that the enterprise yields 1.52 rupees and 1.74 rupees for every rupee invested. These results suggest that promoting fish farming, especially in areas with saline soils, could enhance food security and improve the socioeconomic conditions of small farmers.