Aquaculture Success Story

Aquaculture
Success Stories
Radheyshyam
G. S. Saha
H. K. De
Odisha
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Aquaculture Aquaculture
Aquaculture Aquaculture Aquaculture Success Stories Success Stories
Success Stories Success Stories Success Stories
CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
P.O. Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, Odisha
Dr. Radheyshyam, Principal Scientist
Dr. G. S. Saha, Senior Scientist
Dr. H. K. De, Senior Scientist
Aquaculture Success Stories
Year of publication : 2012
Published by : Dr. P. Jayasankar
Director
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar - 751002
Odisha, India
Edited by : Dr. Radheyshyam, Principal Scientist
Dr. G. S. Saha, Senior Scientist
Dr. H. K. De, Senior Scientist
2012, Director, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga,
Bhubaneswar-751002
Printed at : Capital Business Service & Consultancy, B-51, Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar
capital_a1press@yahoo.com
ii
ISBN : 978-81-924918-4-4
Aquaculture is gaining importance within India and globally for
its contribution not only to food and nutritional security, but also
to livelihood security. India with its vast inland aquatic resources
has high potential for contributing to increased fish production
through aquaculture and create/improve livelihoods especially
in the rural areas. However, this potential is yet to be fully
harnessed.
There is growing realization of the lack of adequate diffusion of
scientific information/technologies from research to the farming
community. At the same time, lack of information flow from farmers to researchers on the
problems/issues, is constraining in the conduct of demand driven research, resulting in a
huge gap in the quality of research output required at the farm level. The planned Farmers'
First project of ICAR will hopefully address this disconnect and would enable farmer-led
research which in the long run would help empower farming community.
In the absence of access to modern technologies, the farmers often experiment with their
limited resources and traditional knowledge and come up with practices/technologies
that are appropriate which in turn become popular among the farming community in
similar agro-climatic zones. These farmers' innovations need to be nurtured, promoted
and complemented with scientific inputs where necessary. Organization of Farm
Innovators' Meets and the documentation of success stories are gaining momentum in
recent years. I am happy to learn that the Central Institute Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA),
Bhubaneswar has organized 'Aquaculture Innovators Meet' creating an environment for
the farmers to share their innovations with scientists and get their time tested innovations
recognized.
This publication 'Aquaculture Success Stories' documents in details the innovative
aquaculture practices perfected by the farmers from Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha
states. Formal science needs to acknowledge this wisdom and strengthen grass root level
innovations.
This book will be a very good source of reference material on aquaculture innovations and
will be useful to researchers, students, entrepreneurs and policy makers.
M. Vijay Gupta
World Food Prize Laureate
iii
M E S S A G E
31
st
March, 2012
The Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA),
Bhubaneswar started its journey as a full fledged institute in the
year 1987 and is celebrating 25th year of its glorious existence
during April 1, 2011- March 31, 2012. During the last two and a
half decades of devoted research, the institute has developed
several epoch-making technologies which have revolutionized
freshwater aquaculture sector in the country. India presently
produces 8.1 million tons of fish per annum of which almost half
is contributed by the freshwater aquaculture sector. With the
stagnating catches from natural waters, aquaculture sector bears the major responsibility
for ensuring fish production in the country. The central focus of CIFA is to develop farmer-
friendly production technologies of major carps, minor carps, catfish, prawn, ornamental
fish, murrels, Anabas, pabda and molluscs. The institute is also spending considerable
efforts in transfer of technology, training of trainers as well as farmers and policy advocacy
in important areas of aquaculture. The Institute is committed to implement the motto
FARMER FIRST in its letter and spirit.
The Institute had organized 'Aquaculture Innovators Meet' on 10 July 2011 with an objective
to share the farmers' innovations with scientists and also to felicitate them. The meet was
a huge success. The compilation of success stories christened as "Aquaculture Innovators"
has become popular among the researchers as well as the planners. So much so that we
soon ran out of stock and soft copy had to be uploaded in website of CIFA.
The present compilation, 'Aquaculture Success Stories', is the second in series and is more
varied and rich in content. Let me place on records my gratefulness to Hon'ble Secretary,
DARE and Director General, ICAR Dr. S. Ayyappan and DDG (Fisheries) Dr. B. Meenakumari
for their constant encouragement. My compliments to Dr Radheyshyam, Principal Scientist;
Dr. G S Saha, Senior Scientist and Dr. H K De, Senior Scientist for their efforts in bringing
out the compilation on the occasion of 26
th
Annual Day of CIFA.
P Jayasankar
Bhubaneswar
1
st
April, 2012
Foreword
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751 002, Odisha, India
r-rr rrrarrrr rrrrrrrrr-r +r-rtr>rr-r trtrr-r
(+rrt-rr r r r` rr +r-r tr >rr-r rrr` trrz)
rr rrrrrr r, +r rr-r rrrt-(=, (a zr trr), +rrt-r
zr . rrr . rrrr rt
Dr. P. Jayasankar
r`-rzrrr/Director
Phone : 0674-2465421, 2465446 (O), 2465423 (R), Fax : 0674-2465407
E-mail : cifa@ori.nic.in, pjayasankar@yahoo.com, Website : http://www.cifa.in
T
he Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), a constituent of Indian Council
of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a premier research institute devoted to freshwater
aquaculture research and development in the country started its journey in the year 1987
and is observing Silver Jubilee this year. During the last 25 years of dedicated research, the
institute has developed several epoch-making technologies which have revolutionized
freshwater aquaculture sector in the country. The Council is embarking upon a new project
called ' FARMER FIRST' that seeks to strengthen Farmer-Scientist linkage with focus on
innovation, feedback, stakeholder participation and new institutional configuration. It
would enable farmer-led research which in the long run would help empower farming
community.
The Institute had organized 'Aquaculture Innovators Meet' on 10 July 2011 with an objective
of sharing farmers' innovations with scientists and also to felicitate them. The meet was a
huge success and a compilation of success stories christened as Aquaculture Innovators
was prepared. We are happy to present the 'Aquaculture Success Stories' which is second
in the series. The first one 'Aquaculture Innovators has been well accepted by the readers
and in view of popular demand the soft copy has been uploaded in Institute website. The
present volume contains eleven case studies from Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
The cases document how innovative package of practices in the field of freshwater
aquaculture has enabled the farmers obtain higher yield. Each case has been visited by a
team of experts several times and due care is taken in presenting an in depth view of the
practices adopted by the farmers. There is an urgent need to document such innovations
and share with others.
The compilation would serve as a store house of information on field level constraints for
which researchers may devise appropriate solutions. It is hoped that the present volume
will be equally popular among the readers and would go a long way in promoting grass
roots level innovations. The fact documented in these success stories are solely the views
of fish farmers and authors.
Radheyshyam
G S Saha
H K De
vii
P R E F A C E
1
st
April, 2012
CIFA, Kausalyaganga
Livestock-horticulture-grass-agro forestry-fish integration at 1
Pokharbhinda Village, Kushinagar in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam, G. S. Saha and S. K. Sinha
Horticulture-fish integration in newly constructed pond 22
G. S. Saha, Radheyshyam, A. K. Behera, Lekha Safui and Geeta Saha
Mass spawn production through multiple carp breeding and carp seed 32
rearing in succession using sub-leased village community ponds
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam and G. S. Saha
Carp fry-fingerling-yearling-food fish production in succession in 47
village community ponds and spawn production in own hatchery
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam, G.S.Saha and Kedarnath
Rural farmers towards industrial aquaculturist in partnership 60
Radheyshyam
Conservation and multiple uses of water in mid Himalayan region 78
of Uttarakhand - a success story
Suresh Chandra, S.K. Srivastava, S.K. Gupta, Prem Kumar, N.N. Pandey,
R.S.Patiyal and P.C. Mahanta
Grow out carp polyculture by SC/ST women of Palsaguda, 85
Boudh, Odisha - a case study
H. K. De, D. N. Chattopadhyay, Radheyshyam, G. S. Saha,
A. K. Dash, T. S. Satpati and S. Pal
Freshwater prawn entrepreneurship 94
Prasanti Mishra
Freshwater prawn culture by the women self-help groups in 99
Balipatna block of Khurda district, Odisha

a successful venture
Prasanti Mishra, Nirupama Panda, S. Behera, Lekha Safui and B. Behera
Pulse crop-fish integration in Shirhir village of Allahabad 104
Suresh Chandra
Transforming life through community aquaculture: 112
a case of tribal village in Odisha
Nagesh Kumar Barik
viii
1 Aquaculture Success Stories
Livestock-horticulture-grass-agro forestry-fish integration at
Pokharbhinda Village, Kushinagar in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam*, G.S.Saha and S.K.Sinha**
Kausayalganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, India
*KIIT University, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar
** Office of DDF, Gorakhpur Division, Gorakhpur, UP
Introduction
Integrated farming system is one of the best methods for maximizing animal and plant
protein production through optimum use of land, water and waste resources at sustainable
level. In this system many sub-systems are involved, wastes of one subsystem act as input
for another subsystem. Thus, virtually nothing is wasted and ecological balance is
maintained. A large variety of products are produced at one place to meet the needs of
undernourished populace. It uplifts livelihood, improves food security, poverty alleviation
and generates income and employment in rural areas. In this regard Central Institute of
Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) is pioneering in research and development efforts on a
wide range of region- and resource-specific technologies to enhance fish production.
However, increasing price of prepared feeds contribute almost 60-70% of operation cost of
the fish production. It needs priority attention. To mitigate the problems CIFA has
developed various resource- and location-specific integrated fish farming models
appropriate for adoption in different agro climatic zones of the country. These developed
integrated fish farming (IFF) models have been disseminated to extension functionaries of
State Fisheries Departments, State Agricultural Universities, Fisheries Colleges,
Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, bankers, researchers, non-governmental
organizations, entrepreneurs etc. through various means. They in turn, popularize need
based IFF models and skills to the end users for sustainable adoption. In this process many
entrepreneurs/rural youths have adopted need-based IFF model to generate additional
family income, self employment and improve nutritional security. They have their own
stories of success to express. The governing factors for such variable successes, modus of
technology adoption and economic profitability need to be popularized among other fellow
farmers to follow suit. However, it invariably remained undocumented. In view of this a
success case of Mr. Satya Prakash Singh on livestock-horticulture-grass-agro forestry-fish
integration at Pokharbhinda village is documented in this communication. Modus of
operandi of resource specific standard technologies and economic profitability may inspire
local farmers to adopt these techniques in their fields in a sustainable way for improving
their livelihood.
Background information
Mr. Satya Prakash Singh is a young man in his thirties from Pokharbhinda village,
PO:Bankata, Block-Motichauk, Kaptanganj, District Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. His main
occupation was agriculture but he changed it into aquaculture. He was in possession of
1.08 ha agriculture land and has over 11 years of experience in the field of aquaculture.
During his student life, his father who was a junior engineer in Uttar Pradesh Bijali Nigam
had constructed a small backyard pond of 0.08ha area for fish culture in a traditional way.
Though, the total fish production was consumed by their family members and relatives,
the analysis of fish culture economics indicated that it was more profitable enterprise than
other agriculture crops. When Mr. Satya Prakash Singh was a student, he was actively
involved in fish culture activities with keen interest. In due course of time he developed
confidence in the profitability of fish culture. Therefore just after completion of graduate
Fig.1: Recycling of organic wastes in multiple integration in Kushinagar, UP
degree in political science and economics in 2003 he fully devoted his efforts towards
integrated fish farming (carp spawn, fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish culture) with
livestock, horticulture, grasses and agroforestry. Seeing the keen interest of Mr. S.P. Singh
in fish farming his father purchased 4.8 ha unproductive low land @ Rs.1, 25,000/ha for
establishing an integrated fish farm in the year 2000. His father constructed five ponds
(0.4, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.0 ha) during 2003-2004 with the financial support of Central Bank of
India, Bodarwar through FFDA availing 20% subsidy. The water and land ratio of the fish
farm was maintained to 3.4:1.4. Since then, integrated fish culture is being continued by
this farmer in a progressive manner. The farmer has been honored by the district collector,
Kushinagar on 23.12.2010 for highest fish production in his district. The diagrammatic
illustration of horticulture-grass cultivation-agro forestry-duck farming-poultry farming-
buffalo farming-biogas plant-fish integration model of Mr.Singh is presented in Fig.1.
Materials and methods
Livestock management:
Fig.2: Duck-fish integration at Pokharbhainda, Bankata,
Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Duck management: Duck shed
was constructed in 18.58 m
2
for
keeping 200 ducks on the pond
embankments (Fig.2). One day
old ducklings were purchased
from Varanasi @ Rs.15/duckling.
Indian layer breeds Khaki cambell
were reared. Starter feed
containing 17% proteins with
vitamins, mineral salts and trace
elements were fed 4 times daily till
Fig.3: Pond water as wet run for ducks
Fig.4: Bamboo fence and pond embankments used
as dry run for ducks
Dry run
Wet run
3 weeks of age. After 3 weeks
they were fed 3 times in a day.
Drinking water was given at
regular intervals near to the
feeders. Grower feed was
provided from 9-20 weeks.
Thereafter layer and breeder
feed was given to birds. Pond
embankments were fenced
with frame of bamboo sticks
(Fig. 4) to prevent ducks to
escape outside. While pond
embankment was used as dry
run the pond was used as wet
run for the ducks (Fig.3 and 4). In duck shed provision was made for laying the eggs (Fig.5).
Poultry management: Poultry shed was constructed adjoining to fish farm in 102.19m
2
.
To keep birds comfortable, poultry house was provided with adequate facilities to make it
reasonably cool during summer, sufficiently warm during winter. Provision of adequate
fresh air, sun shine and dry condition was also ensured. Birds were kept under intensive
system. In one operation 1000 birds were kept in deep litter system (Fig.6). Annually 4
crops of birds were reared. For rapid body weight gain, meat type broilers were reared. For
proper sanitation dry organic matter (chopped straw, paddy husk, saw dust) was used to
cover the floor. Day old chicks were purchased and stocked in well prepared hygienic
Fig.5. Duckshed made for laying the eggs
Fig.6: Growing poultry birds adjoining to pond embankments
poultry shed. Chicks were vaccinated against
viral diseases. Required prophylactic
measures were provided as safeguard against
epidemics before keeping them in poultry
house. Poultry birds were fed with balanced
poultry feed. From beginning to 6 weeks,
starter and from 6 to 9 weeks, finisher
commercial feed was given. Feed was
provided to birds in feed hoppers to avoid
wastage and maintain hygienic conditions.
Adequate quantity of hygienic drinking water
(Fig.7) was provided regularly.
Dairy management: One dairy unit was also
established on the pond embankments. Five buffaloes and one cow were kept in the shed
(Fig. 8). They were fed with 80 kg Berseem grass daily. During off season of Berseem, Bajara
fodder was fed to cattle. In
addition to green fodder,
buffaloes were fed with a
mixture of bran, wheat straw,
green grasses, salt and
mineral mixture with water
ad-libitum. Lactation was
carried out twice in a day.
Milk was sold to middleman
at farm gate. One biogas plant
was constructed on the pond
embankment (Fig. 9 & 10).
Fig.7 : Drinking water for growing birds
Fig.7: Buffaloes-fish integration at Pokharbhinda, Bankata,
Kushinagar, UP
Fig.9 : Buffalo dung used for producing gas
and slurry
Fig.10 : Slurry for pond manure and gobar gas for
cooking and lighting
Horticulture crops: Pond embankments were made 10-20 wide for plantation of 400
Teak, 30 Seesam, 100 Arjuna, 12 Mango, 5 Jackfruit, 2 Onwala, 7 Guava, 450 Banana, 30
Papaya plants and vegetable crops like pumpkin, cucumber, bean, raddish, coriander,
spinach, garlic, chilli etc. (Fig.11). Climbing plants of vegetables-like cucurbits (Fig. 12) and
pumpkin were allowed to climb on the trees the pond embankments. They were also grown
Fig.11.Leafy vegetables on the pond embankments at Pokharbhinda, Bankata, Kushinagar, UP
Fig.12. Cucurbit crop on pond embankments at
Pokharbhinda, Bankata, Kushinagar, UP
on the frame prepared on the pond embankments (Fig.13). Crops of leafy vegetables,
cucurbit, pumpkin, banana, papaya, arahar and growing teak plants on the pond
embankments at Pokharbhinda are shown
in Fig.11-18. During first four years, pulse
crop like Arahar (pigeon pea) was grown
on the pond embankments with the annual
production of 300-400 kg and used for
family consumption. Leaf litter fall of
Arahar plants is either consumed by the
grass carp directly or decomposed and
mineralized for increasing water
productivity. Its wooden parts were used
as fuel for cooking fish food daily and for
other miscellaneous domestic and
agricultural activities.
Fig.13. Pumpkin crop on the frame on the pond
embankments
Fig. 14.Growing plants of banana and teak
Fig.15. Banana crop on pond embankments.
Fig.16. Papaya crop on pond embankments
Fig.17. Growing Teak plants on pond embankments
Fig. 18. Growing Teak plants and Arahar crops on
pond embankments
Fig.19. A crop of Berseem fodder
Fodder cultivation: About 0.4 ha land was used for growing green fodders. Fodder field
was well tilled, leveled and made free from weeds. Farm yard manure was applied in the
field. In addition to farm yard manure, di-ammonium phosphate was mixed in the soil before
sowing the seed. Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) seed was sown @28-30 kg/ha in the month
of November - December. Periodical irrigation and fertilization was done for fast growth and
better production of grass (Fig.19). From March onwards grass was cut 4-5 times. Daily 160
kg/0.4ha grass was harvested continuously for 2-3 months. Both grass carp and buffaloes
were fed with fresh berseem @ 80kg/day . During rest of the year Bajra fodder (Fig.20) and
elephant grass were produced to feed buffaloes and grass carps.
Fig.20. Crop of Bajara fodder
Carp polyculture: A newly constructed pond of 1.0 ha was exclusively used for food fish
culture. The pond bottom was ploughed and applied cattle dung @ 5-6 tonnes/ha. Borewell
water was added into pond up to 30 cm depth and treated with lime @100 kg/ha. Again it
was ploughed thoroughly to mix the manure and lime into the soil. Pond was then filled
with ground water up to the depth of 4-5. Once the plankton appeared, the pond was
stocked with Rohu- Labeo rohita, Mrigal- Cirrhinus mrigala and Bhakur- Catla catla. Initially
fish seed was supplied by Government of Uttar Pradesh fishery department from Chhapia
hatchery. Fish were fed
with mustard oil cake
and rice bran mixture
daily in perforated bag.
Currently, pond was
made free from aquatic
weeds and weed as well
as predatory fishes. It
was made productive
by applying biogas
slurry, cattle dung and
inorganic fertilizers in
an appropriate ratio and
quantity. Wellprepared pond was stocked with yearlings of L. rohita, C. catla, C. mrigala,
Grass carp- Ctenopharyngodon idella and Common carp- Cyprinus carpio in the ratio of
30:25:25:10:10 @ 10,000 yearlings/
ha. Fish were fed with a mixture of
mustard oil cake and broken rice
bran @20 kg /ha/day or with
Jalpary floating feed @20 kg/ha/
day. Grass carp were fed with
berseem and elephant grasses 20-30
minutes before applying
concentrate fish food in pond. After
paddy threshing huge amount of
paddy straw is produced. This was
also kept in the corner of pond (Fig.
21). This gradually decomposed
and got recycled into fish ponds.
Fish were harvested after 8 months of culture (Fig. 22) and sold to middlemen at the pond
site.
Carp brood stock management and spawn production: To produce carp spawn at
commercial scale one hatchery complex (one spawning pool of 10 dia and 4 depth, two
incubation pools each of 8 dia and 4 feet depth, one collection chamber, one overhead
tank of 30 x 12 x 5 size) was constructed in the farm (Fig.23). To facilitate spawn production
and carp culture operation two numbers of borewells were installed and two water pumps
were purchased. A one ha pond was used for brood stock maintenance. Pond was prepared
in the same way as in case of poly culture pond. Three-year old carp fish were used for
brood stock. Prepared pond was stocked @ 2 t/ha in September. C. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala,
C. idella, H. molitrix and C. Carpio brood fish were reared together. A mixture of mustard oil
Fig. 21. Broken paddy straw recycling in pond
Fig. 22. A haul of carp fish from poly culture
cake, cooked broken rice (Fig.24) and common salt was provided in feeding tray @ 20kg/
ha/day. Grass carp were fed with berseem grass twice a day ad libitum. However, before
one month of Grass carp
breeding, they were fed
with concentrate feed
along with berseem grass.
Periodical checking was
done to know the status of
brood fish maturity
(Fig.25). Clinar (Cyperme-
thrin) was applied @ 125
ml/ha to control Argulosis
fish disease. Biogas slurry
was applied periodically
to increase water
productivity. On the
appearance of algal bloom
or at the time of oxygen
depletion, feeding was postponed. While, C. carpio breeding commenced from January,
breeding of grass carp was started from February and Silver carp from April, Catla, Rohu
and Mrigal from May onwards every year. Pituitary gland extract was used as inducing
hormone at normal dose. Grass carp and Silver carps were bred twice in a year, whereas
other fish were bred once in a season.
Fry, fingerlings and yearlings production in succession: Two ponds covering an area
of 1.0 ha were treated with celphos (Aluminium phosphide) @ 10 kg/ha by farmer to
eradicate predatory and weed fishes. Five days after treatment, pond was used for seed
rearing. At times, endosulphon treatment @ 8 liter/ha was done annually once at the time
of pond preparation for eradicating weed and predatory fishes. Pond treated with
Fig.25. A haul of matured brood fish at Pokharbhinda
Fig. 24. Cooked fish food
Fig. 23. Hatchery complex at Pokharbhinda
endosulphon was ready to be used for seed rearing after 20 days of application. To increase
pond productivity poultry droppings was applied @ 2500 kg/ha or cattle dung @ 5000 kg/
ha or biogas slurry @ 8000-10000 kg/ha depending upon the availability of manure in
farm. Pond was treated with lime @ 250 kg/ha. To eradicate aquatic insects from the ponds,
fish farmer treated ponds with Cypermethrin (Clinar) @ 125 ml/ha. It also reduces larger
sized zooplankton (predatory plankton) from the ponds. Then carp spawn was stocked @
5 liter/ha. Fries were fed daily once with a mixture of mustard oil cake and rice bran in the
ratio 1:1 by weight. Liquid biogas slurry was sprinkled @ 50kg /ha/day on pond surface.
Fry were harvested after 25-30 days of spawn rearing. Same pond was used for fingerling
rearing after increasing the water productivity and maintaining an appropriate stocking
density. After 3-4 months of rearing, fingerlings were harvested for stocking and/or
marketing. After this, pond was utilized for raising yearlings/food fish production with
appropriate management measures.
Results and discussion
Food fish culture: During initial stage, growth of fish was not so encouraging especially during
first 2-3 years because of the newly constructed pond. Annual fish growth was up to 250-
500g only led to poor fish yield. However, during later period pond become more productive
and management practices were also improved with the experience. As such fish growth and
production increased significantly. Stocking and harvesting details of food fish culture is
given in Table-1. After 8 months of culture the growth of L. rohita, C. catla, C. mrigal, C. idella
and C. carpio was 550, 950, 880, 1130 and 900 g respectively. Recovery ranged from 86-95% of
the total number of fish stocked. The total net fish yield was 6191kg/ha/8month (9288kg/
ha/yr) which was far above the national average fish production of the country (2900kg/ha/
yr). High level of fish production was due to large size fish seed stocking, recycling of organic
wastes from the livestock and application of biogas slurry in an appropriate quantity along
with the provision of the supplementary feed to fish. The C. catla and C. mrigala contributed
maximum (C. catla, 27.38% and C. mrigala, 28.25%) fish production. Fish were sold @Rs.70-
110/kg depending upon species and size of fish to middle men at pond site.
Table 1 : Stocking and harvesting details of composite fish culture at Pokharbhinda fish
farm during 8 months (July-February) of culture period
Economics of food fish production in 1 ha pond
at Pokharbhainda village in eastern U.P is
given in Table 2. Cost of fish production was
estimated to about Rs. 45/kg. From the Fig.25
it is obvious that the highest expenditure was
due to manpower (31%) which indicated
employment generation in rural area in food
fish production. Fish seed contributed to
second highest (24%) however; it was supplied
by fish farmer from his own farm. Expenditure
on feed cost was only 14% against 60-70% of the standard feed cost. This might be due to
the fact that the organic matters were recycled from existing integrated fish farming system
and grass carp were fed with berseem, barjra and elephant grass. Farmer made a net profit
of Rs.4,16,068/ha/yr against an expenditure of Rs.4,19,852/ha/yr. Percentage return on
the expenditure was about 99% with cost benefit ratio of 1.0.
Table 2. Economics of food fish production in 1 ha pond at Pokharbhainda village
A. Operational cost
B.Gross return and net profit
Carp breeding and spawn production: Fish matured in the month of March every year.
Spawning of C. carpio was initiated from January, grass carp from February, Silver carp from
April and Catla, Rohu and Mrigal from May. Spent brood fish were utilized as professional
breeder for 4-5 years. After that they were replaced in phases. Species wise yearly spawn
production is given in Table. 3. Annual spawn production was 250 liters. Spawn production
of C. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala, C. idella, H. molitrix and C. Carpio was 40, 50, 50, 60, 40, 10 liters
respectively. Highest spawn production was due to C. idella (24%) followed by L. rohita and L.
mrigal a (20% each) and H. molitrix as well as C. catla (16% each). However, gross return from
the sell of C. idella spawn contributed to 32%, C. catla to 21% and H. molitrix to 16%, L. rohita
and L. mrigala (13% each). Spawn was sold @ Rs1000-2000/litre depending upon the species
(Table 3). Gross return from spawn production was reported Rs.3,80,000/- per annum. Total
expenditure on brood stock maintenance, pond rentals, depreciation cost, pond preparation,
feeds, manure, medicines, hormones, labor charges, interest on working capital together
estimated to Rs.2, 50,000/yr. Total net earning was Rs.1, 30,000/- with the percentage return
on working capital 0.52% and cost benefit ration of 1.92.
Table 3: Annual species wise spawn production at Pokharbhainda fish farm
Fry, fingerling and yearling production in succession: Eradication of weed and
predatory fish by applying Celphos (Aluminium phosphide) need to be avoided because
frequent application of aluminium may adversely affect the pond environment. It reacts
Fig. 27. Large size fish seed production at Pokharbhinda
with water to form
phosphine gas (PH
3
) and
insoluble Al(OH)
3
. While
phosphine gas is
detrimental to human
being, the Al(OH)
3
may
acidify pond soil. Use of
Clinar (Cypermethrin) is
not desirable to control
aquatic insect as it also
kills natural fish food
organisms (plankton)
from the pond. After 25-
30 days of rearing about 650 kg fry was harvested and sold @Rs.160/kg (1 kg fry = 1500
number). Three-four crops of fry were taken in one season. After fry harvest, the ponds
were treated with biogas slurry @5 t/ha or with cattle dung @3 t/ha. Along with residual
stock of fry, the ponds were stocked in such a way that stocking should be maintained to
200 kg/ha. Fish seed were fed with a mixture of mustard oil cake and rice bran @ 20 kg/day.
After one week biogas slurry was applied @ 50kg /ha/day. Fry were grown to 3- 4 size
fingerlings after 3 months of rearing (Fig.27). Total 1280 kg fingerlings was harvested and
sold @ Rs.100/kg. (1 kg fingerlings = 300-400 numbers). Remaining fingerlings in pond were
reared into yearlings under similar management practices. At the end of year about 2650 kg
yearlings/ha was harvested and sold @ Rs.70/kg (Av.wt. of yearlings = 30 g). Total biomass
production of fry, fingerling and yearlings together was accounted to 6.33 t/ha/yr, fetching
gross return of Rs.6.98 lakh/ha/yr. Highest return (55%) was contributed by fry production
(Table 4).
Item wise expenditure, total gross income and net profit from carp fry, fingerling and yearling
production is given in Table 5. For fry, fingerling and yearling production in succession the
stocking materials (spawn, fry and fingerlings) was sourced from farmer own pond, it
contributes 26% of the total operational costs (Fig.28). Further, pond preparation which
shared about 11% of the total expenditure was managed by the farmer by recycling organic
wastes of the farm. Labour charge contributed to 21%, indicating an opportunity of
employment generation in rural area. Feed
cost was relatively less (18%) in
comparison to standard practice of
aquaculture operation, probably due to the
fact that the wastes obtained from different
subsystem of integrated fish farming was
recycled for increasing natural
productivity of the pond.
From this venture gross income was
Rs.6,97,500/ha/yr. Farmer made a net
profit of Rs. 3,90,212/ha/yr. Percentage
Table 4: Fry, fingerling and yearling production in succession in 1 ha pond at Pokharbhinda
fish farm
return on the working capital was computed to 126.99% with the profitability index of 1.27
and cost benefit ratio of 0.79 indicating that this may act as a highly remunerative occupation
for rural youths. Cost of average fish biomass production was found to be Rs.48.45/kg. But
fry, fingerlings and yearlings were sold @Rs. 70-160/kg suggesting high margin of
profitability.
Table 5: Item wise expenditure on carp fry, fingerling, yearling production from 1 ha pond
at Pokharbhinda, Kushinagar
A. Operational cost
B. Annual gross return and net profit
Fingerling and food fish production: One ha pond which was used for keeping spent fish,
was prepared and stocked with 200 kg fry in August. Fry were reared for 2-3 months to
grow into fingerings. Fry were fed with mustard oil cake and rice bran mixture @20kg /
ha/day. In the month of November carp seed grew to fingerlings. About 1200 kg fingerlings/
ha was harvested and sold @Rs.160/kg. Residual fingerlings about 100 kg/ha were allowed
to grow into yearlings. Total 1000 kg yearlings was harvested and sold @Rs.90/kg. Rest
fingerlings were allowed to grow into food fish of 500-750 g up to April. A total of about
1250 kg food fish was harvested and sold @Rs.80/kg at pond site. After this, during April
to July pond was used for rearing spent fish obtained from breeding activities. Thus, the
pond was judicially utilized throughout the year. In 9 months farmer made a gross income
of Rs. 3, 78,000/ha. The net profit was estimated to Rs.2, 15,650/- against an expenditure of
Rs.1,62,350/ha/9month. Percentage return on expenditure was 132.83% and profitability
index was 1.33. Each indicator suggests this as a highly profitable venture.
Livestock
Duck farming: Khaki cambells being a prolific layer, they started laying eggs at the age of
3-4 months. However, good egg production has obtained after 5 months of rearing. Ducks
continued laying eggs for
2-3 years depending upon
nutrition, health and
environmental condition.
They laid eggs during
night in duck shed. To lay
eggs some straw or hay
were kept in one side of
the shed in demarked area (Fig.3). During day
time ducks were allowed to graze in food fish
culture pond and brood fish pond. In seed (fry
and fingerling) rearing ponds, ducks were not
allowed as they consume less than 4 g size fish,
if remained hungry. While ducks graze aquatic
organisms as their food, they uniformly left
droppings into ponds which is taken by fish as feed and also helps in production of natural
fish food organisms. They acted as bio aerators while swimming on the surface of the ponds
and sediment bio-turbulent when searching food from pond sediment in shallower area.
Average production was 180 eggs/bird (Fig.29). Farmer also produced 60 ducklings at his
own farm using fertilized eggs. Out of 200 birds 70 could be kept up to laying condition. After
2 years of egg production, they were sold @Rs. 150/kg. Actual operational cost and net profit
from duck farming in integrated aquaculture is shown in Table 6. Annually about 10,500
duck eggs were produced which were sold @Rs.5/egg. Total duck meat production was 175
kg which valued to Rs. 26,250/- @Rs. 150/kg. From this venture farmer could make a net
earning of Rs. 40, 050/-. The percentage net return on expenditure was estimated to be 103.49%
suggesting high profitable commodity when farmed with fish.
Fig.29. Duck layers and egg production at
Pokharbhainda, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Poultry farming: Good housing arrangement, balance feeding, proper health care and
other management measures provided optimum broiler flesh production. Bird droppings
after falling on the litter
were absorbed regularly.
In case the litter depth
became less, adequate
organic matter was added
so as to absorb droppings
properly. In case of damp
condition lime was added
to keep it dry. The litter
was regularly stirred for
aeration and upkeep of its
hygienic qualities. Chicks
also scatter their 10-15%
feed on the litter which
made the litter more nutritive. In about 2 months it became deep litter, after that it changed
to built up deep litter and fully built up litter in a period of 6 months and one year
respectively. This was used for recycling into fish pond, manuring horticultural crops
and fodder crops. They were maintained with intensive care. Average survival was
reported to be 95%. After 45 days of rearing the total production (Fig.30) was 2,100 kg
which was sold at the farm gate @Rs.60/kg. Thus the farmer got a gross income of
Rs.1,26,000/- in one operation. Against an expenditure of about Rs.1,06,000/- farmer could
make a net profit of Rs.20,000/- per operation. Annually 4 crops of broiler birds were
reared which fetched an annual net income of Rs. 80,000. Poultry droppings obtained from
3,800 birds was estimated over 2.5 tones in the form of deep litter poultry manure which was
used to manure fish pond (Fig. 31).
Table 6: Actual operational cost and net income generation in duck farming with aquaculture
integration
Fig.30. Poultry production on the pond embankment at Pokharbhinda
Buffalo farming: Total 20-25 litre buffalo milk/day was produced in the farm. Milk was
sold at farm gate @Rs.20/litre. From milk production gross income was Rs.1, 80,000/yr
against an expenditure of
Rs.95,000/yr, leaving a net
income of about Rs.85,000/yr.
Livestock wastes were used in
biogas plant to generate
electricity and cooking gas.
The animal wastes and/or
biogas slurry recycled into
pond to increase the
productivity. It was also used
as manure for horticultural
crops on pond embankments
and growing green fodder.
Fodder production: Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) is an annual leguminous fodder crop.
It remained soft and succulent at all stages of growth and it is one of the most suitable
fodder crops for buffaloes and grass carp fish. It contains about 20% crude protein (dry
weight basis). Annually 50-60 tonnes/ha fodder can be produced with good management.
Berseem grass was harvested daily for feeding grass carp as well as buffaloes. Grass carp
consumed this grass voraciously. The fecal matter of grass carp was auto-recycled into
pond for producing plankton or bacteria-loaded detritus. Leftover fodder from buffalo-
shed was also applied into pond for recycling. On the pond embankment elephant grass
was grown and during monsoon Bajra grass was cultivated in fodder field to meet the
demand of buffalo and grass carp feed.
Fig.31. Poultry wastes on the pond embankment
Table 7: Total gross income and net profit from different commodities in integrated fish
farming at Pokharbhinda, Kushinagar
From the above accounts it is obvious that farmer has made gross income of Rs. 30.54 lakhs
annually from all the farm commodities of integrated fish farming. The net profit was
computed to Rs.13,56,980/4.8 ha/yr (Table 7). Maximum net return of the total expenditure
was reported from fingerling-yearling-food fish culture package (132.83%) and fry-
fingerling-yearling rearing package (126.99%) in succession. While in duck farming it was
103.49%, in food fish culture and buffalo farming 99.1% and 89.47% respectively. Commodity
wise percentage return on expenditure is depicted in Fig. 31.
Main reasons for success
Moral and infrastructure support from the parents and elder brother.
Financial support from the bank to construct integrated fish farm and hatchery complex.
Educated family background, keen interest and active involvement of farmer.
Strong linkages with state and central government offices. Constant technical support
from fishery department of Uttar Pradesh Govt. and other subject matter specialists
from the line departments of the state.
Backyard level fish culture by the farmer during his student life developed his self
confidence in its profitability.
Appropriate quality of soil and water for fish farming. Availability of water in bore
well because of low level water table in the area.
Major constraints faced
Poor communication particularly during monsoon season when the farm was
surrounded with water logged area.
Fish predation by wild animals like Fishing cats, Otters, Jackals, etc. Fishing cats used
to prey upon 3-4 kg size fish. They silently hide near the pond shore. As soon as fish
come near the margin of the pond; they suddenly attack on them and hold with the
help of their sharp claws. To prevent such loss due to predation Doberman dog has
been kept on the farm.
Deterioration of water quality during the monsoon period. Frequent oxygen depletion
in brood fish pond resulted poor fish appetite, delayed maturity and gonad development
and thereby delayed spawning.
Poor responses towards fish seed sale in the locality because of poor road facilities for
transportation in rainy season. Silver carp seed is poorly accepted by the local fish
farmers.
Disease outbreak in poultry birds. At times, poor market response compels to rear
poultry birds beyond two months which resulted heavy consumption of feed. Thus
the profit margin becomes negligible.
Constant increase of poultry feed price and poor market demand adversely affected
the profitability in poultry production in small unit.
Suggestions for improvement
For year round implementation of activities, and input as well as farm output supply
it is worthwhile to facilitate road construction up to fish farm with the support of state
government for the ease of transport of inputs and farm produce.
For further increase of fish production in unit area under intensive culture, the provision
of aerator in food fish culture pond is essential. Supply of oxygen in brood fish pond to
prevent frequent oxygen depletion will be highly beneficial to accelerate fish appetite
and timely gonad maturity in brood fish.
Improvement of feeding with freshly prepared fish food using locally available
ingredients.
Any pesticide or rodenticide should not be used in an integrated farming system and
organic farming should be emphasized to maintain environmental sustainability.
Buffalo-shed washings and urine can be collected in a pit. After fermentation it could
be applied into fish pond to increase plankton production.
Livelihood analysis of the family
Major source of income of the farmer was fish culture (40%), service (20%), business (20%),
agriculture (10%), livestock (7%) and horticulture (3%) in descending order. Income
generated by the family members of the farmer was spent in various activities. About 30%
of the total income was spent in fish culture, 20% in food, house and cloth, 20% in medicine,
education and social work, 20% in business, 5% in livestock, 3% in agriculture and 2% in
horticulture. This indicated maximum input support in aquaculture due to highest return.
Lessons learnt
Fish-livestock-horticulture-green fodder-agro forestry integration model developed by
farmer in an unproductive low land area with technical and financial supports of the
respective departments of Uttar Pradesh Government. Management of crop diversification
(Fish, buffalo, duck, poultry, fruits, vegetables and teak plant) in one farm provided multi
commodities (spawn, fry, fingerling, yearling, food fish, milk, egg, duck meat, poultry meat,
fruits, vegetables and wood) at one platform to meet local requirements. Value addition of
buffalo-dung through biogas plant provided slurry as an efficient organic manure for
increasing pond productivity. Biogas generated was used for lighting farm-house and
cooking food. Recycling of duck droppings and poultry wastes in fish ponds reduced feed
cost of fish. Use of fodder enhanced production of herbivorous fish and buffalo milk. This
system was environmentally benign, technologically appropriate, economically viable and
socially acceptable. In addition to organic manure recycling in poly culture, farmer also fed
the fish with supplementary diets. It resulted in fish production of 9.29 tonne/ha/yr, which
was far above the national average fish production of the country. Farmer produced 250
liter carp spawn, 2400 kg fry, 2480 kg fingerling, 3650 kg yearling, 7370 kg food fish, 8200
liter milk, 10500 eggs, 175 kg duck meat, 8400 kg poultry meat and adequate quantity of
fruits and vegetables. From all the activities, he made a net earning of Rs.13,56,980/4.8ha/
yr. It may be helpful in making the area self sufficient in quality fish seed for rural aquaculture
development, improving food and nutritional security of the rural farmers, providing self
employment opportunities for rural youths and generating family income at sustainable
level. This is likely to encourage the regional farmers and entrepreneurs to follow suite at a
sustainable level for improving their livelihood efficiently using village resource.
Horticulture-fish integration in newly constructed pond
G. S. Saha, Radheyshyam, A. K. Behera, Lekha Safui and Geeta Saha*
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, Odisha, India
*Directorate of Research for Women in Agriculture
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Introduction
With ever increasing urbanization, industrialization and human density of the country,
per capita availability of land and water resources is declining. It exerts pressure on growing
rural population to ensure food production to meet their family needs. Under such
circumstances, rural farmers are struggling hard to generate additional income through
appropriate option of occupation for their livelihood. In this direction crop diversification
with its intensive management may play a crucial role in producing multi commodities at
one place with increased production and income generation from unit area. Resource poor
rural farmers also do experimentation in order to produce additional sustainable
commodities for greater profit to ensure their family livelihood. Many of them successfully
demonstrated their efforts. However, in few cases adoption of alternative occupations
remains unsustainable owing to certain unavoidable circumstances. One such resource poor
farmer is Mr. Ramchandra Behera, aged 64 years, of Village Jasuapur, PO. Satsankha, Pipili
Block of district Puri, Odisha. He was in possession of 2 ha agricultural land. Besides, he
maintained a beaten rice mill for generating additional income to meet the requirement of
his family. Subsequently, he took leadership in organizing a Youth Club involving 18 fish
farmers of the village. They took a weed infested Gram Panchayat pond for operating
community based fish farming to improve nutritional security of the family members. Mr
Behera worked as secretary of the Youth Club. This aquaculture was stopped after ten
years of operation due to expiry of lease period. However, Mr. Behera did not stop his
ambition of doing remunerative occupation of fish farming, although he did not have his
own pond resource. Subsequently he constructed one new pond to establish an integrated
fish farming model (horticulture - fish farming). Present case study deals with horticulture-
fish integration in his newly constructed pond for generating additional family income at
sustainable level.
Under the guidance of Mr. Ram Chandra Behera, Youth Club took a community pond of
2.4 ha on lease for 10 years. Since the Gram Panchayat Pond (village community pond) was
totally covered with aquatic weed-mates, the actual annual lease value was fixed at only
Rs.1200/- per/year (@ Rs.500 ha/year). The members of the Youth Club were very
enthusiastic to carry out fish farming in community pond. They cleaned aquatic weeds
manually. The heap of the aquatic weed was decomposed and recycled into pond during
later stage of fish culture. A fraction of weed and predatory fishes were removed from the
pond by repeated netting. Pond was also limed at recommended dose. Pond was stocked
with Rohu (5 cm), Catla (7.5 cm) and Mrigal (5 cm) @ 20,000 fingerlings /ha along with left
over weed and predatory fishes. Fish were not fed with any supplementary feed during
culture period. They relied on natural fish food organisms of the pond. During first year
fish were harvested after about one year of stocking by seining. In first crop they could
harvest about 1600 kg fish (@ 665 kg/ha/yr). However, all the fish could not be harvested.
Thus along with existing left over fishes pond was again stocked with fingerlings of Indian
major carps @ 15,000/ha. Fish were reared without providing any feed and fertilizers. After
that fishes were harvested 3-5 times in a year depending upon consumption needs of the
families of Youth Club members. Fish production was estimated to 850-1200kg/ha/yr
without any feed and fertilizers.
During operation of community based fish farming, farmers experienced poor fish
production due to various limitations. One of the most important limitations was lack of
supplementary feeds. To mitigate this problem, the secretary of the Youth Club, Mr. Behera
borrowed beaten-rice bran from his own mill for providing it as supplementary feed in
community pond. This was supplied by Mr. Behera with the condition that after the harvest
of fish crop he would be paid the price of feed. Thus during last few years of lease period
Youth Club members started feeding fish with beaten-rice bran @ 1000-1500kg/yr (@ 417-
625 kg/ha/yr) keeping other factors almost constant. By providing beaten-rice bran as
supplementary feed even at unbalanced and under dose, fish production increased
significantly to 2500-3000kg/yr (1042- 1250 kg/ha/yr). Contribution of weed and predatory
fishes was 15-24% of the total fish production; because these fishes were not fully eradicated
from the pond and most of these weed and predatory fishes were self recruiting fish species.
But after competition of sale of harvested fish, the youth club members paid him partial
cost of beaten-rice bran to Mr. Behera. They argued that it was value less waste material.
Since Mr. Behera couldnt dispose such waste materials even at a minimum price, he cleverly
used it in community pond for his personal gain. Perhaps they could not understand the
importance of supplementary feed in increasing fish production. Mr. Behera felt insulted
and resigned from the youth club. Moreover, pond lease tenure was completed in 2008.
Since then it was not leased to any one due to political reasons. Consequently the pond is
now lying fallow and fully weed choked.
Being secretary of the Youth Club and educated up to 7th class, he was maintaining all
relevant records including expenditure in aquaculture operation, fish production and net
profit from the fish culture by providing supplementary feed. Mr. Behera had a decade of
experience in fish farming through community based aquaculture. He has developed
confidence in fish culture and found it as a more profitable occupation than paddy farming.
Fig.1: A view of horticulture-fish integration
Although he got experience in fish farming and developed confidence in its profitability,
he was not having any pond of his own to do this highly remunerative fish culture occupation
for his livelihood.This was the turning point for Mr Behera. He has foresighted fish culture
as good occupation for his family members or their livelihood. Subsequently he sold his 1.8
ha paddy field @ 12.5 lakh/ha and purchased 0.85 ha under-productive low land area
(suitable for pond construction and fish farming) near his village at same rate for constructing
fish pond.
Methods
Pond construction: During summer months of 2010, pond was constructed using JCB
dozer. However, leveling of pond embankments and dressing of slopes were carried out
manually. On the pond embankments one double storyed building was constructed. One
lift point along with one 5 HP diesel water pump was also installed on the pond
embankments near house shed. Pond was constructed in 0.56 ha area leaving 0.29 ha area
of pond embankments. Thus the water area and embankment ratio was 1.9:1 against
recommended water and embankment ratio of 10:1 or 5:1. For pond embankment an
additional area was kept for growing horticultural crops (Fig-1).
Banana: Pond embankments were
properly levelled. To cultivate
banana on the pond embankments
100 pits of about 45 cm diameter
and 45 cm depth were dug out in
two rows in June 2010. Between pit
to pit 2-2.5 m distance was
maintained. In each pit two baskets
farm yard manure (compost) was
given. It was exposed to sun for
about 15 days. Then 50 g potash and
50 g grow-more fertilizer was mixed
with the compost in the pits. Banana
suckers of Gaja bantal and Paunsia bantal purchased from local farmers were transplanted
in these prepared pits. Just after transplantation a light watering was facilitated. After the
appearance of new leaves, periodical hoeing and soil dressing was carried out. Each banana
plant was fertilized at the time of hoeing using 50 g grow-more and 50 g potash followed
by irrigation. This was carried out in 3 installments.
Papaya: Papaya seedlings were grown in well prepared land bed on the pond embankment
with intensive management. For transplantation of papaya seedlings about 40x40x40 cm
pits were prepared in three rows on the pond embankments with provision of irrigation
channel in between the rows. In each pit one basket of Farm Yard Manure (FYM), 50 g
potash and 10 g grow-more fertilizers were mixed with soil. It was exposed to sun for 4-5
Fig.2. Aquaplosion in horticulture-fish integration
Fig.3: Netting of pond in horticulture-fish farming
days. About two-month old papaya seedlings were transplanted in these pits. Periodical
soil dressing of the basal area was done to avoid water logging. After 3 months of
transplantation hoeing was done. A mixture of 50 g potash and 10 g grow-more was applied
per plant after hoeing. Then the plants were irrigated using borewell water. After 7-8 months
of transplantation, the plants came to fruiting.
Other crops on pond embankments: Coconut-100 plants, mango-100 plants, pomegranate-
50 plants., leafy vegetables, cucumber, pumpkin, ridge gourd, ladies finger, Poe, brinjal,
tomato, bean, amaranths etc, were grown from time to time. Details are given in Table-1.
Pond preparation and fish culture operation: Pond bottom was ploughed twice using
tractor. Then it was exposed to sun for a week. A mixture of 3000 kg raw cow dung, 100 kg
single super phosphate, 50kg urea
and 25kg potash was applied
evenly on the ploughed pond
bottom. It was again thoroughly
ploughed to mix the manures.
After this it was filled up with
ground water in June, 2010 from
a borewell using 5 HP diesel water
pump. Subsequently during last
week of June rain water was also
added. Abundance of natural fish
food organisms was assessed
before fish seed stocking. Pond
was stocked with the yearlings of
750 Catla- Catla catla (Av. wt. 150g), 250 Rohu- Labeo rohita (Av. wt. 100g), 250 Mrigal-
Cirrhinus mrigala (Av. wt. 100g) and 25 Grass carp-Ctenopharyngodon idella (Av.wt.200g) in
last week of June. Later, in the
month of August fry of 4000
Catla (Av. wt. 0.5g), 300 Rohu
(0.05g), 300 Mrigal (Av. wt.
0.05g) and 1000 Grass carp (Av.
wt.3g) were stocked. Fishes
were fed with a mixture of 25
kg beaten rice bran and 2 kg
ground nut oil cake (GNOC)
daily in feeding bags. Besides,
terrestrial grasses, banana
leaves as well as rotten and
small papaya fruits were cut
into pieces and fed to grass
Fig.4: Segregation of marketable fish
Fig.5: Release of smaller fish back into pond
carp. Over 200 bamboo poles were fixed in pond in zigzag form to avoid fish poaching and
provide adequate surface area for epiphyte production. For sustained production of natural
fish food organisms a mixture of liquid maure was applied fortnightly. Periodical checking
of fish growth and health was carried out (Fig. 2 & 3). Large size fish were harvested (Fig.
4) periodically leaving smaller ones to grow further in the pond (Fig. 5). Fish were stocked
in a small adjoining pond for marketing in live condition (Fig. 6).
Although different varieties of the horticultural crops were grown on the pond
embankments, banana and papaya were found most productive and income fetching (Table-
1). Banana crops were grown in two rows on the pond embankments. From January (7
months after transplantation) onwards banana started fruiting. It took another 3-4 month
to get marketable matured banana bunch. Thus banana was harvested during March-April,
2011 with the production of 100
bunches, which was sold @ Rs.150-
200/bunch at production site. Till
date farmer earned Rs.20,000/- from
banana crops. Standing crop of
banana is also available on the pond
embankments. During June-July
2011 a total of 2500 banana saplings
were sold @ Rs.7/sapling fetching
gross income of Rs.17500/- against
an expenditure of Rs.1000/-only.
Chopped banana leaves and tender
stems were used as feed for grass
carp.
Papaya seedlings were planted in three
rows and between the rows there was
provision of irrigation channel. A total
of 300 papaya plants were found in
fruiting condition on pond
embankments. Till November 2011, over
34300 kg of papaya was harvested and
sold @ Rs.10/kg at pond site. Which
valued Rs. 3,43,000/- against an
expenditure of only Rs. 50,000/-
Among vegetable crops Bitter gourd
(Karaila) was found more profitable on
Fig.6: Stocking of marketable fish in a small pond
the embankments of newly constructed pond. Its crop was grown in 100 clusters. From
September, 2010 to April, 2011 a total of 1370 kg bitter gourd was harvested with the market
price of about Rs.20,250/- against an expenditure of Rs.10,000/-. Other vegetable crops
produced on the pond embankments were Cucumber, Cucurbit (Kakharu), Brinjal,
Tomato, Ladyfinger, Ridgegourd (Jahni), Bean, Cowpea (Jhuranga), Chilies, Poi (climbing
spinach) and leafy vegetables. Though the maximum vegetable production was
consumed by the family members of the farmer, its production and estimated market
price is given in the Table-1.
By utilizing about 0.29 ha pond embankments, farmer could make a net profit of Rs. 328,761
against an expenditure of Rs.92,289. The percentage net returns on the expenditure was
computed to 356% with the profitability index of 3.56 and cost benefit ratio of 0.28. This
suggests that production of horticultural crops on the embankments of newly constructed
ponds is most suitable and profitable venture.
Farmer stocked the newly constructed
pond @ 21920 /ha with different sized fish
seeds in two batches. First batch was
stocked with 100-200 g yearlings @ 2277/
ha, while second batch with 0.05-3.0 g
early fingerlings @ 19643/ha. Yearlings
grew faster with average weight range of
1.2-2.8 kg and the recovery was also
higher (84-96%), whereas, early fingerling
stocking resulted poor recovery (50-80%)
and growth (0.251-0.80 kg). Stocking and
harvesting details of fish from the pond is
given in Table-2. Total fish yield was 3899
kg/0.56 ha/yr (6963.66 kg/ha/yr), which
was much higher than the National
average fish production (2600 kg/ha/yr)
of the country. The production
contribution of Rohu, Catla, Mrigal and Grass carp was 21.36; 52.77, 18.07 and 7.80%
respectively. Catla contributed highest probably due to highest stocking density (38.69%)
and fast growth.
Fish were sold in live condition at farm site. Farmer had a small pond adjacent to culture
pond. From culture pond marketable sized fish were segregated (Fig.4) by netting in the
evening hours and stocked in adjoining small pond (Fig.6). From where fish were hauled
and transported to Bhubaneswar market in live condition by the middle man and was sold
@ Rs.120-150/kg depending upon size and market demand. However, farmer could get
Rs.100/kg by selling to the middle man at pond site. Item wise operation cost is given in
Table-3. Pond rental, pond preparation, manure and fertilizer, feed cost, fish seed cost,
Fig.8: A smile of success
manpower, miscellaneous expenditure and interest on working
capital constituted 19, 1, 12, 5, 31, 19, 6 and 7 % of the total
working capitals respectively (Fig.7) Though feed cost and
manpower contributed together 50%, the maximum feeds, a
mixture of paddy powder and beaten rice bran, was supplied
from his own mill and maximum labor work was carried out
by his family members. From fish culture operation farmer made
a net profit of Rs.128015/-. Percentage net return (48.88%) and
profitability index (0.49) was relatively poor probably due to
less productivity of newly constructed pond. However, it was
compensated with the production of horticulture crops in an
integrated manner on the pond embankments. Thus the
cumulative net profit was Rs.537384/ha/yr with net return of
147.74% and C: B ratio of 0.68. This indicated horticulture-fish
farming integration as a high profitable practice in newly constructed ponds and this has
brought smile on the farmer's face (Fig.8).
Table-1: Horticultural crop production and income generation in 0.29 ha pond embankments
area at Village Jasuapur, Satsankha in Pipili block of district Puri
Table 3: Economics of food fish production at Village Jasuapur, Satsankha in Pipili block of
district Puri
A. Operational cost
Table 2: Stocking and harvesting details of composite fish culture in 0.56 ha at Village
Jasuapur, Satsankha in Pipili block of district Puri
* Number given in parenthesis is yearlings and below it is fingerling
Factors contributing to success
Farmer acquired an adequate experience
in fish farming through his active
participation in community based fish
culture in leased ponds. During this
period he developed confidence in the
economic profitability of fish farming.
Received financial support from the State
Bank of India and technical support from
horticulture department and State
fisheries department and Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture.
Availability of quality soil for construction of farm and the pond where water table
was at upper strata resulting in profuse water in his borewell.
Farmer is very cordial and co-operative and maintained strong linkages with the
Government and private organizations, marketing agents of the farm produce.
Farmer has his own rice mill and beaten rice mill from where he supplied fresh fish
food particularly a mixture of paddy powder and beaten rice bran.
Approach road to his farm was good for easy transport of input and farm produce
supply.
Innovation in technologies/management practices/knowledge and skill
During culture period a mixture of liquid manure (100 kg cow dung + 25 kg single
super phosphate + 20 kg potash + 8 kg di-ammonium phosphate + 5 kg urea) was
applied fortnightly into pond to maintain sustained production of natural fish food
organisms.
Farmer has his own rice and beaten rice mill. Poor quality paddy and beaten rice bran
from the mill were mixed together and ground into powder form. About 8% ground
nut oil cake was added with it and soaked in water. It was fed to fish in perforated
feeding bags.
B. Gross return and net profit
To prevent fish poaching, farmer fixed over 200 bamboo poles in zigzag form in 0.56
ha water area.
Green leaves and tender stems of banana were chopped and applied into pond for
grass carp feed. It also maintains suitable water pH and helpful in preventing fish
suffocation during oxygen depletion.
Rotten ripe papaya fruits were thrown into pond after cutting into pieces. Grass carp
prefer to consume it. While harvesting raw papaya fruits for marketing, some immature
smaller papaya were left over and not accepted for sale. These unmarketable raw
fruits were cut in pieces and thrown into pond which was consumed by grass carps.
Along with raw papaya fruits, papaya latex also enters into pond water which acts as
antibacterial and antifungal agent and thereby prevents disease outbreak in fish.
In newly dug out pond productivity, fish growth and yield are adversely affected for
2-3 years. To compensate the poor return from newly constructed ponds, farmer
judiciously utilized pond embankments for horticulture crop production intensively.
Constraints faced
In newly constructed pond fish growth was found to be poor.
Due to unawareness in initial condition farmer stocked the pond with carp seed in
high density which also caused poor growth rate of fish.
Unawareness in balance fish feed and its feeding methods.
Since pond was located between paddy field there was problem of otters, which are
fish eaters.
There was problem of fish poaching due to social rivalries.
Lessons learnt
Having long experience in community based fish culture in leased ponds, farmer
developed confidence in the economic profitability of fish farming. After expiry of
lease period, farmer took keen interest to construct his own pond to continue this
highly remunerative aquaculture business.
The newly constructed pond was found most appropriate for integrating aquaculture
with horticulture. Since in newly constructed pond fish do not grow as fast as in case
of old pond, profitability remains poor initially if fish farming is carried out alone.
However, production of horticulture crops on the pond embankments during this
period made it highly profitable farming system.
Mass spawn production through multiple carp breeding
and carp seed rearing in succession using
sub-leased village community ponds
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam* and G.S.Saha
Introduction
Increasing unemployment problem of undereducated rural youths compels them to search
alternative occupation for their livelihood. Many of them can not complete their desired
education level due to certain unavoidable circumstances. Under such condition they are
unable to get permanent job neither in government nor in private sectors. However, some
of them in order to generate family income do experimentation by altering their occupation
and in due course of time they get stable job option in rural sectors for livelihood. Several
such undereducated rural youths have been transformed by themselves into entrepreneurs
through adopting resource-specific need-based alternative remunerative occupations at
sustainable level. Each one has different story to tell. Mr. Rajendra Kumar Paswan of village
Mohanapur, P.O: Peeperpati, Block- Partawal, District Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state
is one of such farmers who has been transformed from a rural farmer to entrepreneurial
fish farmer. Present success story of Mr. Paswan is dealt in two parts. Part-I covers mass
spawn production through multiple carp breeding using own infrastructure (brood stock
ponds and hatchery complex). Part-II describes commercial production of fry, fingerlings,
yearlings and food fish in succession using sub-leased village community ponds. Detail
management practices and economic profitability in both the parts of success story have
been highlighted in present communication. This case study will not only provide
inspiration to local farmers to ensure fish seed production for the ease of access to rural
fish farmers in order to develop rural aquaculture, but also be helpful in self employment,
income generation, improvement of food and nutritional security of rural poor.
Sri Rajendra Kumar Paswan is a 49 years old fish farmer. He has 28 years experience in the
field of aquaculture. After his intermediate qualification he was selling pumping sets and
its spare parts for additional family income, though his main occupation was agriculture
at initial condition. He was in possession of 2.5 ha agricultural land. However, for increasing
his family income he took about 1 ha Gram Panchayat pond (village community pond) on
lease @ Rs.850/yr in 1983. The lease tenure of the GP pond was 10 years. He took keen
interest in fish culture and found it a remunerative occupation. Mean while he met with
an agriculture development officer of Punjab National Bank in 1985. Who advised him to
concentrate in fish culture by creating own ponds for sustained income generation. Through
his motivation Mr. Paswan borrowed Rs.18500/- from bank with the provision of 25%
subsidy under Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDA). He constructed 5 ponds of
1.5 hectare (0.06 - 0.8 ha) utilizing his under productive low land. He started seed rearing
activity in these ponds by purchasing carp seed from the West Bengal through middlemen.
In spite of fish seed import from West Bengal at relatively elevated price, the profitability
in fish seed rearing was found to be very high in relation to other agriculture crops.
However, he was not able to get desired quality and quantity of carp seed in time at demand.
Then he took interest to produce carp spawn in his village. For this he approached Fishery
Extension Officer (FEO) of Gorakhpur, UP fisheries to learn techniques of Pituitary Gland
(PG) collection, PG extract preparation, brood stock management, hormone injecting
procedure, hapa breeding operation etc. After learning the techniques he started hapa
breeding of Rahu- Labeo rohita, Mrigal- Cirrhinus mrigala and Bhakur- Catla catla. However,
from hapa breeding spawn recovery was 25-30% of the fertilized egg due to various physico-
chemical and biological constraints.
He was very much interested to increase spawn recovery from the fertilized eggs. For that
in 1988 he went to Bhairahawan Thuthipeepal carp hatchery. He stayed there over one
week for practical learning of carp breeding technology including fish stripping method,
circular carp hatchery management, scientific fish seed rearing etc. Then he started breeding
of Silver carp-Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Grass carp- Ctenopharyngodon idella and
standardized the Pituitary Gland (PG) dosage for the region. After seeing the profitability
performance of circular hatchery at Thuthipeepal carp hatchery, Bhairahawan, he
constructed a circular carp hatchery in 1989 at small scale. He made it operational in 1990.
By 1992 he developed confidence in each technique of carp breeding including brood stock
management, breeding operation, hatchery operation, multiple breeding of Grass carp,
Silver carp, Rohu, Catla and Mrigal, spawn to fry rearing and fry to fingerling rearing
technologies etc. He was continuing his aquaculture business progressively. But in 1995
there was total loss of brood fish stock due to poisoning. However, in 1996 he could develop
brood stock and started breeding work. When fish seed demand increased in the region,
he further expanded his hatchery infrastructure by constructing one spawning pool, 4
incubation pools, one collection chamber and one overhead tank to produce carp seed at
commercial scale during 2000. After seeing his progress there was jealousy and social
rivalry in the locality. This resulted brood stock kills by poisoning in the month of June,
2000. Subsequently, during 2001 there was severe flood and all ponds were inundated.
Most of the brood fish and fish seed were escaped away in flood water. These limiting
factors, could not suppress the intrinsic power of willingness of farmer to continue his
ruminative profession of multiple breeding of carps, fish seed rearing and food fish
production at commercial level utilizing his own ponds and sub-leased village community
fish ponds.
Methods
Brood stock management : Brood stock management was carried out in two ponds
covering about one ha water area. Ponds were dewatered to eradicate weed and predatory
fishes. At times, farmer killed fishes by applying celphos (Aluminium phosphide) in pond
water. When ponds were
dewatered, pond bottom
was treated with lime @
400-500kg/ha. Then it was
exposed to sun for a week.
After that mixed fertilizer
(per hectare 3000kg cow
dung +125 kg single super
p h o s p h a t e + 5 0 k g
urea+50kg muriate of
potash) was applied to
increase pond
productivity. Immediately
ponds were filled with
borewell water. After 15
days, about 500 g potassium permanganate was applied as disinfectant. In prepared ponds
2-3 years old matured fish were stocked @ 2-3 tonnes/ha for intensive care. For feeding
brood fish a mixture of cooked broken rice and mustard oil cake in the ratio of 2:1 was
used. In this food 10% broken pulse and 1% mineral mixed was also added. Farm prepared
feed was provided @ 2-3% of the standing stock of brood fish daily depending upon
abundance of natural fish food organisms and water quality. However, before 30-50 minutes
of concentrate feed application, grass carp were fed with Berseem grass ad libitum 2-3
times daily. During off season of Berseem grass, Sudan grass was fed to Grass carp. Brood
fish pond water was exchanged quarterly once. Ground water was added daily to maintain
optimum water depth and lower pond water temperature during summer and to increase
pond water temperature during winter season. Fortnightly sample netting was carried
out (Fig.1) and 750g/ha potassium permanganate was applied in pond water for
prophylactic treatment. Farmer reported that application of glaxo made zeolite @ 75-150
kg/ha reduced the obnoxious gases from the pond and stop fish suffocation. Argulus
control was carried out by using cypermethrin (clinar), whereas Epizootic Ulcerative
Disease Syndrome (EUDS) was controlled by applying CIFAX @ 1 liter/ha m.
Hatchery infrastructure : Farmer constructed one overhead tank of 13'6"x17'6" for storing
ground water to provide running water facility in spawning pool and incubation pools.
There was only one spawning pool of 20' diameter and 5'deep. During breeding operation
water depth was maintained at 3' only. Farmer constructed four incubation pools (Fig.2)
Fig.1: A haul of brood fish at Mohanapur
each with 10' 6" diameter from outer
periphery. It has 9" wide outer wall
and 9" inner ring wall. Central ring
diameter was of 6'5". Thus only 2'4"
area was left for egg incubation in
circulating water. Although the pool
was 4' deep, but during operation
only 3' deep water was kept. In one
operation about 300 liter carp
fertilized eggs were released for
incubation with the production of
15-21 liter spawn per pool. Breeding
and incubation pools were
connected with central collection
chamber.
Breeding and spawn production
Breeding and spawn production of Cyprinus carpio : Breeding of common carp
commenced from 2
nd
week of January. Fish were induced by administering PG extract. At
low water temperature of 10-15
0
C common carp females were administered with higher
doses of PG extract. (1st dosage @2mg PG/kg, 2
nd
dosage @14-15 mg/kg), whereas, at
above 20
0
C water temperature low dosages (1st dosage @ 1mg PG/kg, 2
nd
dosage @5-6
mg/kg) was administered. Spawning was carried out by stripping method. Females were
stripped in dry container followed by male. The eggs and milt was mixed gently using
bird feather. Then the fertilized eggs were kept in a solution of tanic acid, urea and salt in
the ratio of 0.5:10:10. This solution was prepared in 10 liter water by mixing 5g of glaxo
made tanic acid, 100g urea and 100g common salt. The fertilized eggs were washed several
times using this solution. After gradual mixing of normal water the eggs were de-gummed.
In wet stripping method 25 ml water was taken in a series of bowels in which the milt was
stripped in phases. Immediately females were stripped by gentle mixing of eggs using
feather. The milt and egg mixing was continued for one and half minute. Mucus of the
milt started surfacing. It was removed with the help of feather adding normal water
gradually. This was repeated several times in bowels. After two minutes fertilized eggs
were found free from milt mucus. In detached condition fertilized eggs were collected.
These fertilized eggs were quantified in liter and released in incubation pools for hatching.
Multi-breeding of Grass carp : Four times breeding of Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
at fish farm of Mr. R.K.Paswan at Mohnapur Village in partawal block of Gorakhpur, U.P. is
depicted diagrammatically in Fig.-3. It is classified in early (Fubruary-March) breeding mid
breeding (April-July) and late breeding (August-September). Detailed methods of four times
spawning separately are as under.
Fig.2: Carp hatchery facility at Mohanapur
In the month of February Grass carp were fully matured for induced spawning. Every
year induced spawning of Grass carp commenced from the 2
nd
week of February. Due to
high demands of Grass carp seed, they were bred 3-4 times in a season during February to
September using same brood fish. In large sized Grass carp brood fish; there was probability
of fat deposition and handling difficulty. To get rid of these problems, brood fish of 3-4 kg
were used for induced spawning.
First breeding: First breeding was carried out during February to March. PG extract was
used as inducing hormone in two split dosages at about 4 hrs intervals. Female were
administered @ 2mg/kg in 1
st
dosage and 8-9mg/kg in 2
nd
dosage, while males were
administered once @1-1.5mg/kg at the time of 2
nd
dosage of female.
Second breeding: After completion of first spawning, spent fish were given dip treatment
with potassium permanganate solution. They were stocked at low density in well prepared
separate brood fish pond under intensive care. Fish were fed with a mixture of mustard oil
cake, broken rice, broken pulses with the fortification of 1% mineral mixed in cooked feed.
Farm made fresh fish feed was given @ 2% of the body weight daily once. In addition, they
were fed with tender Berseem grass ad libitum 3-4 times daily. Periodically pond water
Fig.3: Four times spawning of Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at the hatchery of Mr. R.K.Paswan at
Mohnapur Village of Gorakhpur
was replaced with ground water. They were treated with potassium permanganate solution
at periodical sample netting. Grass carp brood fish again matured after 40-45 days (during
April-May) of first breeding. PG extract was used as inducing hormone in similar pattern
of 1
st
breeding.
Third breeding: Spent grass carp brood fish after 2
nd
spawning were bathed in potassium
permanganate. All the intensive management practices applied during 2
nd
breeding were
repeated. Same brood fish matured for spawning after 45-55 days (during June-July) of the
2
nd
breeding. Induced spawning was carried out using PG extract at conventional dosage.
Fourth breeding: Grass carp after 3
rd
breeding were reared under intensive care. They
attained maturity 4
th
time for induced spawning after 55-60 days (during August -
September) of 3
rd
breeding. Only a few selected brood fish are used for 4
th
breeding by
inducing with PG extract hormone.
Multiple breeding of Silver carp, Catla, Rohu and Mrigal: Farmers used to breed Silver
carp, Rohu, Catla and Mrigal 2-3 times in one season using same brood fish. While breeding
of Silver carp was carried out from the first week of April, the Rohu, Catla and Mrigal
breeding started from the month of May depending on regional seed demands. As inducing
hormone, PG extract or ovaprim was administered to brood fish. Silver carp brood fish
were administered with PG extract @2mg/kg female body weight in 1st dosage and after
4-5 hrs of 1st dosage @ 8-9 mg/kg in second dosage. Males received @ 1-1.5mg/kg body
weight at the time of second injection to females. Ovaprim was used @ 0.6ml/kg female
and 0.1ml/kg male body weight in single dosage. Rohu and Catla were administered
with ovaprim @ 0.4ml/kg female and 0.1ml/kg male. Whereas Mrigal received ovaprim
@ 0.25-0.3ml/kg female and 0.1ml/kg male for induced breeding. Brood fish after being
utilized for spawning under multiple breeding for 3-4 years were replaced with the new
lot in installments.
Carp fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish production in village community
ponds in succession
Farmer took 6 Gram Panchayat Ponds (Village
community Ponds) covering water area of 4
ha. GP ponds were subleased to farmer by
local fisherman community @Rs.40,000/ha/
yr. He paid an additional amount to fisherman
community for taking ponds on sublease.
Generally lease value of community ponds
varied from Rs.20,000-1,00,000/ha/yr
depending upon its productivity conditions.
These ponds were used for spawn to fry, fry
to fingerling, fingerling to yearling and/or
Fig.4. Production of Lemna in paddy field for grass
carp fingerling feed
Fig.5: Mass production of fingerlings
food fish culture. Pond preparation for
carp seed rearing was similar to that of
brood stock fish pond preparation at
initial stage. However, later on intensive
management was applied to produce
desired quality and quantity natural fish
food organisms. Aquatic insects were
controlled by applying 10%
cypermethrin @ 250 ml/ha. About 125
kg mustard oil cake was soaked in pond
water and a slushy paste was prepared.
Then it was sprinkled in one ha pond
area. After 24 hrs, spawn was stocked @
6-8 liter/ha. Carp seed were provided
with supplementary feed after 24 hrs of
stocking. Daily 50 kg mustard oil cake
was applied per hectare in paste form
for 15 day. Thereafter mustard oil cake
was given @100 kg/ha/day. Fry were
harvested after 15-20 days of rearing at
the size of 20-25mm. Fry recovery was
40-50% depending upon the pond
management. In some of the well prepared village community ponds, spawn was stocked
at low density (@ 2.5-3.0 liter/ha) to produce fingerlings of 60-80 mm within 35-45 days of
rearing. Grass carp fingerlings were fed with Lemna grown in paddy fields (Fig.4) In some
of the prepared village community ponds fry were stocked for growing fingerling of 80-
120 mm in 3-4 months. From March to November 4-5 crops of fry and 2-3 crops of fingerlings
(Fig.-5) were produced. The residual stock of fingerling was allowed to grow into yearlings
(Fig.-6) and/or food fish (Fig-7) depending upon the fish species and local demand. Fry,
fingerlings, yearlings and food fish were sold by weight @ Rs.500, 150, 100 and 60 per kg
respectively at the pond site.
Results and Discussion
Carp spawn production using own infrastructure : Intensive care of brood stock
management through sustained production of natural fish food organisms, keeping low
stocking density, providing prepared supplementary feeds using locally available food
ingredients, thermal manipulation of water temperature during winter and summer season
by adding ground water, periodical replacement of pond water with bore-well water etc
resulted early maturity of carp brood fish in the month of February. Common carp spawn
production commenced from January on commercial scale through de-gumming of
fertilized eggs using an indigenous innovative method. Egg fertilization rate was 70-80%. In
incubation pools ground water was
used which maintained 24
0
C water
temperature (when outside pond
water temperature was 10-12
0
C). The
fertilized eggs were incubated in
circular hatching pools. With the
increase of water temperature, the
egg incubation period decreased.
Hence in January fertilized eggs of
common carp were hatched after 55-
60 hrs of fertilization, whereas in
February and March the incubation
period was 40-50 hrs and 30-40 hrs
respectively. Accordingly spawn
could be obtained after 7-6 days for
stocking nursery ponds. From one liter
fertilized eggs of common carp about
one liter spawn (4 - 4.5 lakh spawn) was
recovered after 7 days of spawning in
the month of January and February.
However, from April onwards spawn
was harvested after 6 days only due to
increased water temperature.
Production of Common carp spawn
was about 100 liter which was sold @
Rs.2200/liter fetching gross income of
2.2 lakh (Table 1).
Fig. 6: Yearling production
Table -1. Carp spawn production during 2010-2011 at Mohanapur village, Block Partawal,
District Gorakhpur, U.P.
Fig. 7: Food fish production
Breeding of Grass carp was started
from 2nd week of February. To
avoid the risk of fat deposition in
brood fish and handling problems
brood fish of 3-4 kg were used for
spawning. In view of high market
demand of Grass carp seed, the
same brood fish were bred 3-4
times from March to September.
Early breeding of Grass carp in
February provided fingerlings in
May-June and late breeding in
September provided fingerlings in
November-December. Thus rural fish farmers were access to stocking materials throughout
the year. These professional brood fish generally did not increase their weight as large
amount somatic energy was used in development of gonads 3-4 times in a year. Thus
professional brood fish were free from the risk of fat deposition. After each breeding,
spent fish were treated with potassium permanganate solution as prophylactic treatment.
Intensive care was taken by stocking in well prepared pond at low density, feeding fresh
balance diet, water replacement etc. After 8-10 hrs of hormone administration grass carp
spawned at 24
0
C ground water temperature in spawning pool. Egg fertilization was 90-
95% at comma shaped embryos. Fertilized eggs were incubated in hatching pools containing
ground water of 24
0
C. In the month of February egg incubation period was 18-20 hrs after
fertilization. However, in March it reduced to 14-16 hrs. In first breeding egg production
was 4 litre/kg female fish. In second breeding egg production was about 20% higher than
the 1
st
breeding. There was 5-7litre/kg egg production with 90-95% fertilization. In 3
rd
breeding egg production capacity was found to be like 1
st
breeding. The egg production
was quantified to 4-5 liter/kg female fish weight with fertilization rate of 70-80%. In 4
th
breeding egg production capacity reduced to 3-4 liter/kg with 70-80% fertilization. Fourth
time breeding resulted poor performance in terms of egg production, egg fertilization and
spawn production. Abnormal embryonic development in 4
th
time breeding resulted
deformed spawn production and poor survival. Hence, spawn production through 4
th
induced spawning is less preferred for better production, survival and quality seed
production. Performance of second time spawning was reported to be highest in terms
of egg production and egg fertilization. However, in first and third breeding egg
production was similar but the egg fertilization rate was relatively less in third time
breeding. Total spawn production was recorded to 300 liters. The Grass carp spawn
was sold @ Rs. 2000/liter spawn. Total spawn valued Rs. 6 lakh/year.
Breeding of Silver carp started from April whereas, Rohu, Catla and Mrigal from May
onwards. These species were bred 2-3 times in one season using same brood fish. Total
spawn production of Silver carp, Rohu, Catla and Mrigal was 100, 150, 100 and 150 liters
respectively (Table-1). They were sold @ Rs.1400-2500/liter spawn at pond site. Item
wise expenditure on carp spawn production during 2010-11 at Mohanapur carp hatchery
is given in Table-2. Maximum expenditure contribution in multiple breeding and spawn
production was due to brood fish feed costs (28%) followed by labour charges (17%),
pond management (14%) and depreciation cost (13%). Annual gross return and net
profitability are shown in Table-3. Farmer earned Rs.5,96,900/ha/yr against and an
expenditure of Rs. 5,03,100/ha/yr from carp spawn production. Percentage return on
expenditure was as high as 118.64% with profitability index of 1.19 and cost benefit ratio
of 0.84. This suggested that spawn production business was highly remunerative
occupation within short period.
Table-2. Expenditure on carp spawn production during 2010-11 at Mohanapur of District
Gorakhpur, U.P.
Note: Since brood fish were used for multiple breeding (2-4 times in a year) for 3- 4 years and dead fish were
sold, the cost of brood fish was not included in annual expenditure.
Table-3. Annual gross return and net profit from spawn production at Mohanapur village
5.2 Fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production in succession using
community pond
Rural area was dotted with different size and seasonality of Gram Panchayat ponds (village
community ponds). These water bodies were utilized for multi purposes by multi users.
Village community pond embankments and/or adjoining land were used as heaping
ground of cattle dung along with other domestic and agricultural organic wastes. During
monsoon period huge quantity of organic matters entered into village community ponds.
It made ponds highly productive. Its fish production potential rated high but remained
under exploited and/or unutilized for fish production. These village community ponds
were leased to down-trodden
rural poor particularly to
fisherman community on priority
basis. Lease value varied from Rs.
2 0 , 0 0 0 - 1 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 / h a / y r
depending upon pond
productivity. For systematic fish
farming Rs.2-3 lakh/ha/yr
operational cost was essential.
But, rural fishermen failed to
meet the expenditure in
aquaculture. As such they sub-
leased to other interested party by
taking an additional amount on
original lease values. Mr. Paswan took this opportunity and sub-leased 6 village community
ponds (totaling 4.0 ha). He used these ponds for fry, fingerling, yearling and food
production depending upon pond productivity, pond location, local needs and market
demands. In these ponds own hatchery produced carp spawn were reared into fry,
fingerling, yearlings and food fish. From spawn to fry (20-25 mm) rearing for 15-20 days
recovery was reported to 40-50%. From spawn to fingerlings (60-80 mm) rearing in 35-45
days recovery was 30-40%. While, from fry to fingerling (80-120 mm) rearing in 3-4 months
survival was 70-80%. From community ponds 3-4 crops of fry, 2-3 crops of fingerlings, 1
crop of yearlings and 1 crop of food fish were taken in succession. Market price of grow
out fish was low because 200-250 g fish were sold due to fear of poaching or poisoning in
village community ponds. Further fishermen who netted out ponds, used to purchase fish
@ Rs.50-60/kg as middle man. They sell it @ Rs.100-120kg in local market.
Fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish production from 4 ha village community ponds
were 2000, 16000, 8000 and 4000 kg/ha/yr respectively (Table-4). Maximum production
was 53% due to fingerlings, followed by yearlings (27%) and food fish (13%). Details are
depicted in Fig.8. Total production of fish biomass was estimated to 7.5 tonne/ha/yr. This
was far above the national average fish production of the county (2.9 tonne /ha/yr). Market
rate was Rs.500/kg fry, Rs.150/kg fingerlings, Rs.100/kg yearlings and Rs.60/kg food
fish (Table. 4). Gross return from fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish together was Rs.
Table-4. Fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production of carp form 4 ha village community
ponds in Partawal block of Gorakhpur district, U.P. during 2010-2011
11, 10,000/ha/yr. Fingerling contributed highest (55%) in gross return followed by fry
(22%), yearlings (18%) and food fish (5%).
In Table-5 item wise expenditure
towards rearing of fry, fingerlings,
yearlings and food fish is shown.
Total expenditure was estimated to
Rs. 4, 38,761/ha/yr. The maximum
expenditure (43%) was due to cost of
seed (Fig.9) which was produced by
the farmer himself. Second highest
expenditure was in labor charge
(25%) indicating labor intensive
aquaculture management and
generation of employment for rural
farmers. Feed cost as well as pond
rentals contributed only 9% each. Farmer made net profit of Rs.6,71,239/ha/yr. The
percentage return on expenditure was 152.99% with profitability index of 1.53 and cost
benefit ratio of 0.65 (Table-6) indicating highly profitable business at sustainable level.
From Figure.10 it is obvious that farmer has initiated his business from very small scale.
With the time, he acquired experience and intensified management of diversified activities
of aquaculture. After developing confidence in the profitability of aquaculture, he increased
input expenditure in order to get additional profit. However, during 1995 and 2000 there
was a major setback of fish poisoning probably due to social rivalry. Further, in 2001 fish
ponds were inundated due to flood flash and fishes were escaped. Still then his intrinsic
power of willingness to continue this highly remunerative business did not perturb. Later
on he continued aquaculture activities by gradual intensification of management in expanded
Table - 6. Annual gross return and net profit from fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish
Table-5. Expenditure on carp fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production together in 4
ha village community ponds in Partawal block of Gorakhpur during 2010-2011.
infrastructure maintaining sustainability. In 2010 farmer could make a net profit of Rs.35.8
lakh against an expenditure of Rs. 32.1 lakh from different sources of aquaculture. Currently
aquaculture became the main source of his family income contributing over 90%.
With the increased experiences farmer improved management practices, increased
inputs and expanded the resources and infrastructure blended with his constant efforts
and confidence developed in the profitability of fish farming.
Strong linkages with society for marketing of farm produce and the technical support
from UP government fisheries department, central government organizations and
private organizations etc.
Possession of own resources and availability of village community ponds on sub-
lease for carrying out aquaculture business.
Constraints faced
Brood stock poisoning during 1995 and 2000 resulted loss of 2000-2200 kg of brood
fish fish.
Flood flash during 2001 caused escape of fry, fingerling, yearling and brood stock
escape from the inundated ponds.
Poor communication facilities for transport of input and output particularly during
monsoon period.
At initial stage there was little opportunity for marketing of hatchery produced fish
seed because it was then imported from West Bengal on a large scale.
Innovation in technology/management practices/knowledge and skill
Quadri-spawning of Grass carp from second week of March to September, 2-3 time
breeding of Silver carp, Rohu, Catla and Mrigal in a season using same brood fish. It
ensured carp seed availability through out the year.
De-gumming of fertilized eggs of common carp. Common carps were bred using wet
and dry stripping. Fertilized eggs obtained from dry stripping were kept in a solution
of tanic acid, urea and salt and mixed gently using bird feather. The fertilized eggs
were washed several times using this solution. After gradual mixing of normal water
eggs were de-gummed. Wet stripping was done in ground water where milt and egg
were mixed together continuously for 2 minutes. Using feather, mucus was separated
and washed several times until all fertilized eggs were detached.
Farmer constructed incubation pools of 10'4" diameter by maintaining 6'6" central ring
diameter in order to increase surface area of filtration. In between the inner wall of
outer periphery and outer wall of inner ring there was a gap of 2'4" where farmer released
300 liters fertilized eggs for incubation in one operation to harvest 15-21 liters spawn.
Fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production in village community pond in
succession resulted fish biomass production of 7.5 tonnes/ha/yr by making village
environment clean and benign. Farmer harvested small size food fish and reared seed
in community ponds so as to avoid poaching.
To increase pond productivity a mixture of 3000 kg cow dung, 125 kg single super
phosphate, 50 kg urea and 50 kg potash was applied as base manure.
Feeding brood fish with farm prepared fresh food using local ingredients. Mixture of
locally available broken rice and mustard oil cake was cooked and mixed with broken
pulses & mineral mixture before applying in pond.
24 hours before spawn stocking in village community ponds mustard oil cake paste
was applied @ 125 kg/ha to increase rotifers. After one day of stocking the spawn,
mustard oil cake was given @ 50 kg/ha/day up to 15 days and thereafter @ 100 kg/
ha/day for better health and survival of carp seed.
Thermal Manipulation of 20-28
0
C in spawning and hatching pool during acute winter
and summer months was done by adding ground water. During winter ground water
temperature was about 24C whereas pond water temperature was 15-18C. Contrarily,
in summer ground water temperature was far below than pond water.
Development of indigenous live fish transport mechanism using Mahindra pick-up.
In Mahindra pick-up farmer used tarpaulin and filled with 1 meter ground water. It
was stocked with 200-250 kg live biomass of fish seed after due conditioning for 24
hours transportation by gentle shaking of water using aluminum hundi.
Lessons learnt
From this story it was obvious that a rural farmer was converted into aqua-culturist in the
process of choosing an appropriate option of remunerative occupations for livelihood.
Then there was gradual transformation from rural fish farmer to an industrial fish farmer.
In spite of social constraints and natural calamity the farmer had made a tremendous
progress in flourishing his business. Farmer produced about 900 liters of carp spawn valued
to Rs.16.5 lakhs against an expenditure of Rs.7.55 lakhs in his own ponds and hatchery
complex. Besides, farmer had also produced 2 tonnes fry, 16 tonnes fingerlings and 4 tonnes
food fish in sub-leased village community ponds in a year. From this venture he made net
earning of Rs.6.71 lakh /ha/yr. Thus, an aquaculture occupation by the farmer not only
provided self employment to village fish farmers to increase family income and improve
nutritional security but also ensured quality carp seed supply even in off-season to rural
aqua-culturists and food fish supply for fish consumers at reasonable price in the region.
Transformation of such rural fish farmers into industrial aqua culturists need to be
replicated in other parts of the country so as to accelerate the pace of rural aquaculture
development horizontally and vertically. However, use of fatal pesticide (celphos) for killing
fish during pond preparation and cliner for fish health management is not recommended
as it is detrimental to beneficial aquatic organisms and pond environments.
Carp fry-fingerling-yearling-food fish production in succession in
village community ponds and spawn production in own hatchery
Radheyshyam, Tarun Shyam*, G.S.Saha, and Kedarnath**
** Office of DDF Gorakhpur Division, Gorakhpur, UP
Introduction
Countryside is littered with different shapes and sizes of Gram Panchayat (GP) ponds (village
community ponds) vested with religious body and/or self government for multiple use
and multiple users. On the adjoining area and/or embankments of such ponds cattle dung,
agricultural byproducts and domestic wastes are heaped. During rainy season, large
quantities of nutrients are leached out from these heaped organic wastes and enter into
common water bodies. Village surface run off from vast catchments area also brings nutrient
rich organic matters into ponds. Entrance of such allochthonous organic matters makes
village community ponds productive. Thus it has immense potential for fin-fish and shell-
fish production. But most of it are unexploited or under utilized for increasing fish production
due to various limitations. These potential water bodies are generally leased to down trodden
community of fisher folk or fisherman cooperative society on priority basis. But they are
deprived of technical, financial, social and political support to carry out scientific fish culture.
Virtually Rs. 2-3 lakh/ha/yr operational cost is required for scientific aquaculture. This
may be beyond the capacity of poor fisher community. Further, in addition to fixed lease
values one has to pay large amount of transaction charges for GP tank lease processing
until its possession. Hence they sub-lease to well to do and influential person after getting
additional benefit over actual lease values.
Many aqua entrepreneurs after developing confidence in the profitability of fish farming
invest adequate amount towards required inputs for scientific managements in order to
generate additional benefit. In eastern Uttar Pradesh several entrepreneurs take common
water resources on sub-lease and/or lease for 10 years tenure to produce fry, fingerlings,
yearlings and food fish in succession depending upon pond condition. Mr. Bhaiya Ram
Singh is one of such fish farmers who has his own hatchery complex (1 spawning pool, 3
incubation pools, 1 collection chamber, 1 overhead tank along with 4 marketing cemented
tanks and 1 ha earthen pond) for carp spawn production. He took 27.2 ha GP tanks and 60
ha Tals (open water bodies) on sub-lease and/or lease for producing fish seed and food fish
at commercial level. He used to produce carp spawn in his own hatchery complex. But
spawn was reared into fry, fingerlings, yearlings, and food fishes in lease and/or sub-lease
village community ponds in succession. However, for marketing fry, fingerlings and
yearlings were brought back to the hatchery complex and stocked in cemented tanks as
and when required for sale. Food fish were sold at pond site to fish vendors. Local fish
farmers purchased fish seed at GP ponds site for stocking their ponds and food fish for
consumption. Brief story of farmer's business on fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish
production in the village community ponds and spawn production in his own hatchery
infrastructure along with economic profitability is documented in the present
communication.
Mr. Bhaiya Ram Singh (44 years) residence of Deipar village, Block- Piprauli, Gram
Panchayat- Nagawa, District-Gorakhpur, after acquiring intermediate education during
1987, started pesticide marketing business in Bhatahat Block of Gorakhpur district.
Simultaneously he initiated fish seed rearing in a small pond near his business centre by
procuring stocking materials from West Bengal. In view of heavy demand of carp seed in
the locality, fish seed rearing was found more remunerative than any other business by the
farmer. In 1989 he started food fish culture at his native place Deipar using about 1 ha
inherited pond. He found it very interesting and more profitable commodity. After
developing confidence in economic profitability of carp seed rearing and food fish culture,
farmer determined to continue this occupation as income and employment generating
profession. Then he went Kolkata and stayed there for a week to understand carp hatchery
management skills, carp spawn production, seed rearing and food fish culture from fish
farmers. Meanwhile, he started working as fish seed vendor by importing carp seed from
Kolkata and saling in the locality of Gorakhpur. But, at times, he failed to import quality
carp seed timely to meet the local demand. Then he started dreaming to run his own carp
spawn production unit by constructing hatchery complex. In 1990, he took financial support
from State Bank of India through FFDA scheme by availing 30% subsidy to construct carp
hatchery, seed rearing tanks and to purchase feed for feeding brood fish etc. From 1991 he
started producing carp spawn in his own hatchery. He also constructed four cemented
tanks to nurse carp spawn into fry and fingerlings. However, it was insufficient to meet the
growing demands of fry and fingerlings by the local fish farmers. Then he took village
community ponds on lease directly from Gram Panchayat and Fishery department of Uttar
Pradesh Government or on sub-lease from fisherman and fisheries co-operative societies
for rearing fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish in succession. In few sub-leased ponds
he used to carry out aquaculture on sharing basis. Own cement tanks were used as marketing
site for carp seed. At present Mr. B. R. Singh is producing carp seed and food fish on a
commercial scale to meet the local needs.
Study was carried out in Deipar village near Piprauli Block which was located at about 25
km south-east of Gorakhpur district head quarters in eastern Uttar Pradesh. General
information of fish farmer was collected from district fishery office, Gorakhpur. Aquaculture
activities of the farmer were physically
verified. Data were collected by direct
interview (Fig.1) of fish farmer (Mr. Bhaiya
Ram Singh) thrice. While preparing the
manuscript doubts were clarified by
telephonic contact.
Farmer possessed 1 ha own pond (Fig.2) for
brood stock management and one hatchery
complex including one 20 dia spawning pool,
3 incubation pools of 5 dia each, one collection chamber and one overhead tank (20x15x
6) for carp spawn production. There was four cement tanks (30x20, 30x20, 30x30 and
Fig.1: Interaction with and interview of farmer by Dr. Radheyshyam,
Principal Scientist of CIFA (extreme right)
Fig.3: Hatchery complex at Deipar village
Fig.2: Brood stock pond and cemented tanks at Deipar village
40x20) adjoining to hatchery complex for fish seed marketing (Fig.2 &3). Besides, he took 5
village community ponds (10, 8, 1.2, 0.6 and 0.4 ha) at Malhipur, Bhilora, Deipar, Banspar and
Mahi villages respectively) totaling 20.2 ha for
10 years @ Rs.20,000 to 75,000/ha/yr
depending upon the location and productivity
of ponds. He also subleased 9 ponds of 7 ha
(0.04-2.00 ha) from Kurmoul, Piprauli,
Adilapar, Kharaila, Banagawan, Rithuokhore,
Panika villages from fish farmers by paying
additional amount over original lease values.
In addition to above water bodies he took two
Tals (open water bodies) i.e, Dumari Nivas Tal
(40 ha) and Rithuakhore Tal (20 ha) on sub-
lease @ Rs.2000 and Rs.3000/ha/yr
respectively from fisherman cooperative society. Thus he was operating fry, fingerlings,
yearlings and food fish culture in 27.2 ha and food fish culture in 60 ha on commercial scale.
Brood stock management: Brood stock pond was completely dried and ploughed. It was
exposed to sun for a week. Cow dung was spread on the ploughed bottom @ 5-6 tone/ha.
Then 40 kg single super phosphate and 2000 kg de - oiled mahua oil cake was applied on
the pond bottom. Immediately it was filled with ground water. When natural fish food
organisms proliferated after 15-20 days, about 2
+
- 3 year old brood fish or professional
brood fish (Fig.4) were stocked @ 2560 kg/ha. Rohu- Labeo rohita, Catla- Catla catla, Mrigal-
Cirrhinus mrigala, Silver carp- Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Grass carp- Ctenopharyngodon
idella, Common carp- Cyprinus carpio, and Big-head- Aristichthys nobilis were stocked in the
biomass ratio of 7.55, 5.66, 11.32, 18.87, 22.64, 7.55 and 26.44 % respectively. Grass carp
were fed with Berseem and Napier grass ad libitum daily 30 minutes before feeding carp
fishes. A fresh brood fish feed was prepared using locally available ingredients. For this
mustard oil cake, broken rice (boiled), rice bran and wheat bran were mixed in the ratio of
2:1:1:1. It was fortified with 1-2% mixed minerals. Fresh prepared feed was fed to brood fish
@ 20-25 kg/ha/day. However, at any adverse condition like oxygen depletion, algal bloom
appearance, continuous cloudy weather for long duration etc., feed quantity was reduced or
feeding was temporarily stopped. Periodical sample netting was done to check fish health
and maturity condition (Fig.5&6). To maintain
good water quality, pond water was replaced
with borewell water. During summer and
winter months borewell water was added in
brood fish pond on regular basis so as to
maintain suitable water temperature.
Breeding and hatchery operation:
Common carp breeding was started from
January. Fish were induced with the
administration of pituitary gland (PG) extract.
Common carp were bred twice in a year.
Fig.4: Professional brood fish bring smile on farmer face
Fig.5: Netting of fish in presence of CIFA scientist
Spawning was done using stripping methods. Sticky fertilized eggs were de-gummed with
the help of an indigenous method of yellow soil solution treatment. To prepare de-gumming
medium for common carp fertilized eggs, 200 g yellow soil was dissolved in 15 liters ground
water. Stripped eggs and milt was gently mixed using bird feather. Soil solution was added
into fertilized eggs by gentle mixing. After few wash fertilized eggs were kept in solution
till hardening. Then it was gradually washed with fresh ground water. The egg fertilization
was reported to 80-90%. These fertilized eggs were released in hatching pools containing
bore well water in running condition. Fertilized eggs were also de-gummed using solution
of bricks powder with salt.
Silver carp and Big head were bred 4 times, Grass carp 3 times, Catla, Rohu and Mrigal 2
times in a year. PG extract was always used
as inducing hormone at conventional dosages.
After continuous use of brood fish for 3-4 years
for spawning, they were replaced with new
ones. In a 20 diameter spawning pool 40-50
kg females and same quantity of males' brood
fish were released per operation. Ground
water was used as spawning media. Fertilized
eggs were incubated in three hatching pools
using bore well water. Spawn was quantified
in liters and was sold to fish farmers and / or
transported for stocking in leased and sub-
leased village community ponds.
Pond preparation for carp seed rearing: Leased and sub-leased village community ponds
were used for fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish culture in succession. Ponds were
treated with Mohua oil cake @ 2500-3000 kg/ha to eradicate weed and predatory fishes.
Lime was applied @ 300-500 kg /ha. Before 24 hrs of spawn stocking clinar @ 5 kg/ha was
applied to eradicate aquatic insects. Clinar was also used to control predatory plankton
from nursery ponds. Spawn was stocked @ 12 liter/ha for nursing 15-20 days to obtain 20-
25 mm fry whereas for larger size seed (30-40 mm) in one month, spawn was stocked @ 5
liter/ha. From 5 village community ponds (0.4-1.2 ha) of 2.4 ha, 3 crops of fry were taken.
Thereafter ponds were used for rearing fingerlings and yearlings after increasing pond
productivity through application of manure and fertilizer. In 3 ponds of 0.6-2.0 ha (total 4.6
ha) fry and fingerlings were produced, whereas in larger ponds (8-10 ha) predominantly
food fish were produced. While fish seed were fed with traditional feed daily, food fish
were fed intermittently. Two Tals (60 ha) were stocked with fingerlings and/or yearlings
without removing the weed and predatory fishes after monsoon season. Fish were harvested
during May-June when water level reduced. Own hatchery produced carp spawn was used
for stocking the village community ponds. Fry and fingerlings were harvested depending
upon the market needs and they were transported back to hatchery complex and stocked
Fig.6: Brood stock maintenance at Deipar, Piprauli,
Gorakhpur
into cemented marketing tanks. Fish seed were transported from village community ponds
to marketing tanks using Mahindra made pickup van. Tarpaulin was kept in pick up van and
filled with water 2-3 deep. About 250 kg fish, fingerlings and yearlings were transported in
one pick up van. From cemented marketing tanks fry and fingerlings were sold to fish farmers,
fish seed vendors through out the year. Yearlings and food fish were sold at the pond site
directly to fish farmers/fish consumers or fish seed/food fish vendors periodically.
Networking of spawn production in own hatchery complex, transport of spawn to village
community ponds for rearing fry, fingerlings and yearlings and their transport to marketing
tanks for commercial marketing is presented diagrammatically in Fig.7.
Fig.7: Network of carp spawn, fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish production and
marketing established by Mr. B. R. Singh
Carp spawn production: Quality carp spawn production is prerequisite for aquaculture
development in rural area. It is also a remunerative and employment generating activity.
In view of this farmer established a carp hatchery complex along with 1ha brood stock
pond. He maintained about 2560 kg brood fish of seven carp species during 2010-11.
Although Aristichthys nobilis is a prohibited species, the pressing demands of the local rural
fish farmers exert pressure on him
to produce spawn of this species.
A. nobilis were bred 3 to 4 times in
a year by inducing with PG
hormones. Farmer informed that
by administration of ovaprim
females released immature eggs
too. This effected adversely the
fertilization and 3-4 times maturity
of brood fish. Administration of
PG extract was reported to be
cheaper, sustainable and free from
side effects. Degumming of fertilized eggs of C. carpio was carried out using indigenous
method, already mentioned. However, in fatty females fertilization rate was relatively poor
(60-70%). Therefore, before using fatty females for spawning, they need to be kept on
starvation for one week. Fertilized eggs were incubated in circular incubation pools for
commercial scale spawn production. With continuous water flow in hatching pools most
of the fertilized eggs were detached. In case few eggs remain in adhered condition, the
hatchlings become free without any adverse effect in flowing hatchery water. Farmers
produced 1050 liters spawn of L. rohita, C. catla, C. mrigala, H. molitrix, C. idella, C. carpio and
A. nobilis with the contribution of 19, 20, 19, 14, 10, 8, and 10 % respectively (Fig.8).
Species wise spawn production and gross income from Deipar hatchery complex at market
price of 2011 is given in Table.1. Produced spawn was either stocked in leased and sub-leased
village community ponds by
farmer or sold to carp spawn
vendors and rural fish
farmers @ Rs. 1300-2500 /
liter depending upon the
carp species. L. rohita and C.
mrigala spawn was sold at
minimum price of Rs. 1300/
liter. The A. nobilis was
highly preferred species by
local fish farmers and it was
sold at relatively higher cost
@ Rs. 2500/litre at hatchery
site (Table 1). Spawn production of C. catla fetched highest gross income (Rs. 3.78 lakh). This
was followed by L. rohita (Rs. 2.73 lakh), C. mrigala (Rs. 2.6 lakh), A. nobilis (Rs. 2.5 lakh),
C. idella (Rs. 1.8 lakh) and C. carpio (Rs. 1.2 lakh) as has been depicted in Fig. 9.
Table 1: Species wise spawn production and gross income at Deipar village of Gorakhpur
district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Item wise expenditure on carp spawn production is presented in Table 2 Annual average
expenditure was reported as Rs.4,54,397/-. Highest expenditure was due to labor charges
(43%) because manpower were also employed for marketing of the spawn, fry, fingerlings
and yearling from cemented marketing tanks in hatchery complex. Cost of brood fish was
not accounted
because dead
brood fish were
sold and rest of
them were used
for spawning as
p r o f e s s i o n a l
breeders. Feed
cost of brood fish
contributed 24%
of the total
e x p e n d i t u r e ,
whereas inducing
hormones and
medicine cost,
interest on
operational cost, pond rentals and pond management contributed 11, 7, 6 and 6% respectively
(Fig.10). Net profit was reported Rs.599361/ha/yr from carp spawn production. Percentage
net return on operational cost was 131.9% with profitability index of 1.32 and cost benefit
ratio of 0.76 (Table 3). This indicated carp spawn production on commercial scale as a highly
remunerative profession for rural entrepreneurs.
Fish seed rearing and food fish culture in succession: Village community ponds are
recognized as potential
productive water resources for
fish production. But these water
bodies are not getting much
attention for increasing fish
production in order to improve
nutritional security and self help
employment of the rural poor
due to various social, political,
economical, technical, cultural
and environmental constraints.
Of late, some of the experienced
Table 3: Annual gross return and net profit from spawn production at Deipar village
Table 2: Expenditure on carp spawn production during 2010-11 at Deipar village of Piprauli
Block in district Gorakhpur, U.P.
Note: Since brood fish were used for multiple breeding for several years and dead fish were sold, the cost of
brood fish was not included in annual expenditure.
and resourceful farmers have been attracted towards these water resources for accelerating
the productivity. Mr. B. R. Singh is one of them. Who took 27.2 ha village community ponds
in Gorakhpur district on direct lease or sub-lease for carp fry, fingerlings, yearlings and
food fish production in succession. During 2010-11 farmer produced 7,650 kg/ha/yr fry,
fingerlings, yearlings and food fish together. Farmer used to supply quality carp seed to
the fish farmers of Basti, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar districts of Uttar Pradesh
and different districts of Madhya Pradesh. Category wise production of fry, fingerling,
yearling and food fish is given in Table 4 and Fig.11. A haul of fingerlings production in
village community pond is depicted in Fig. 12. The production recorded from village
community ponds by farmer was far above the national average fish production of 2900
kg/ha/yr. Average contribution of food fish production was highest (39.22%) followed by
fingerling production (32.68%), yearling production (22.22%) and fry production (5.88%)
by weight. However, gross return was highest due to fingerling production (54%). Fry
production contributed 20% of the total gross return whereas food fish contributed 18%
and yearling 8%.
Table 5: Average expenditure on carp fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production during
2010-11 from 27.2 ha village community ponds
Table 4: Average fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production and gross return from
27.2 ha village community ponds in Gorakhpur district, 2010-2011
Table 6: Annual gross return and net profit from fry, fingerlings, yearlings and food fish
from the village community ponds of Gorakhpur district during 2010-11
The details of item wise average expenditure on production of fry, fingerling, yearlings
and food fish during 2010-11 from 27.2 ha village community ponds in Gorakhpur district
are given in Table 5. The highest
expenditure was due to labour charges
(29%) indicating labour intensive fish
farming in rural area rather than feed
intensive which contributed to only 10%
(Fig.13). Seed cost contributed 27% of
the total expenditure which was stocked
from the own ponds of farmer. The
percentage net return on total
expenditure was reported to 167.82%
with profitability index of 1.68 and cost
benefit ratio of 0.59. This suggested that
the community aquaculture in
succession was highly remunerative
occupation for the rural poor. In this venture farmer made a net profit of Rs.5,76,484/ha/yr
against an expenditure of Rs.3,43,516/ha/yr (Table-6).
Fish culture in Tals: In general Tals (open water bodies) are stocked naturally with self
recruiting predatory and weed fish species including carps during monsoon period. They
rely on the natural fish food
organisms. They grow without
any supplementary feeds and
care with very poor survivals.
Local fishermen use to catch
fish during summer period
when Tals get dried. Fish
production from such water
bodies are declining due to
indiscriminate fishing by the
farmers and destruction of fish
seed due to pesticide resides
entering from the catchment
Fig.12: A haul of fingerling production
area of agriculture fields. In present case farmer has taken such water bodies on sublease
from fishermen cooperative societies. In such water bodies, he carried out extensive fish
farming on share basis with the members of the co-operative society. Open water bodies
were stocked with large size carp seed (fingerlings/yearlings) of L. rohita, C. catla, C. mrigala,
C. carpio, H. molitrix, C. idella and A. nobilis @ 5000/ha. Fish were stocked after monsoon
and they were not fed with supplementary feeds. In summer when water level reduced,
fish were harvested during April-June. Fish production from such water bodies was reported
to about 400-450 kg/ha/yr.
Fish farmer has strong family support and started fish farming at initial stage in inherited
pond. Farmer has good leadership and managerial mindset to run the business.
There was ample scope to avail lease and sub-lease facility of village community ponds
in rural area along with cheaper manpower resources for operating fry, fingerling,
yearling and food fish culture in succession.
Farmer has willingness and interest in adopting aquaculture occupation and developed
confidence in the profitability of fish seed and food fish production.
Farmer got financial support from bank through FFDA, technical supports from state
government fisheries department and his fellow fish farmers.
Strong linkages with fisherman co-operative society and availability of hard working
honest persons in operational area. Good coordination and co-operation with local
farmers and fish seed vendors for farm produce marketing.
Good communication facility was available to transport inputs and farm produce.
Constraints faced
Poaching of food fish from the village community pond and unauthorized angling of
large size fish seed particularly yearlings by the neighboring farmers adjoining to the
community ponds.
Most of the community ponds are surrounded by agricultural fields. During paddy
cultivation and other crop cultivation huge quantity of pesticides are used. Through
surface run off from agricultural field pesticides enters into ponds causing damage of
natural fish food organisms and fish seed stock.
Innovation in technology/ management practices/ knowledge and skill
Fry, fingerling, yearling and food fish production in village community pond in
succession has yielded an average fish biomass production of 7.7 tonnes /ha/yr from
27.2ha water area. It also improved the village environments.
Stocking of open water bodies with the Indian major carp and exotic carp fingerlings/
yearlings was carried out which accelerated fish production.
Farmer produced Rohu and Catla hybrid fish which showed better growth than the
normal one.
Carried out hybridization between Grass carp and Mrigal. Farmer reported that
offspring of the hybrid fish changed their feeding behavior.
Multi breeding of Indian and exotic carps provided round the year carp seed for rural
fish farmers.
Big head A. nobilis seed was supplied through fish seed vendors to local fish culturists
for stocking along with other carps from West Bengal as reported by local fish culturists.
To prevent this as a part of fish bio-diversity farmer introduced A. nobilis for brood
stock development and seed production to meet the local demand.
Fatty females of common carp were kept on hunger for a week so as to reduce body
fat. By doing so spawning response was reported to be easy and egg fertilization was
better.
Degumming of common carp fertilized eggs was carried out using yellow soil solution
or brick powder and salt solution to produce large scale common carp spawn in circular
hatchery.
Thermal manipulation of water in spawning and hatching pool during acute winter
and summer months by adding ground water was done by farmer.
Lessons learnt
Utilization of village community ponds for aquaculture in succession increased fish production
above national average fish production level. Through strong support and coordination of
government functionaries, people's organizations, self empowerment motive of fellow farmers,
sustainable management and increased investments he has produced 1050 liter carp spawn,
12.24 tonnes fry, 68 tonnes fingerlings, 46.24 tonnes yearlings and 81.6 tonnes food fish
annually. This not only made rural people's easy access to quality and enough quantity of
spawn, fry, fingerlings and yearlings for rural aquaculture development but also provided
fresh animal food to fish consumers for improving hidden hunger and nutritional security.
Farmer employed 34 people from local villages for carrying out fish breeding, hatchery
management for spawn production, pond management for seed rearing and food fish
production. Such localized fish seed and food fish production may provide foundation for
people's nutrition, income and employment in the region. In aquaculture management, in
addition to his own hatchery infrastructure, farmer managed common use water resources
of village community after taking it on lease or sub-lease, investing funds through financial
organizations, coordinating human skills, knowledge and labor to generate both use values
and exchange values in the rural economy from aquaculture business. Farmer's hard earned
money from aquaculture was ploughed back for diversifying his business and providing
employment to the rural poor. Currently one cane factory is in operation and an aqua-tourism
unit is being constructed at Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority region. Such types
of entrepreneurship needs to be developed in the countryside through capacity building and
developing awareness among educated rural youths for horizontal and vertical expansion of
aquaculture in the country and generating employment opportunity for rural poor.
Rural farmers towards industrial aquaculturist in partnership
Radheyshyam
Aquaculture Production & Environment Division
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, India
Introduction
Quality carp seed availability is prerequisite for rapid growth and expansion of rural
aquaculture. It holds immense practical relevance for the rural poor in bringing about a
positive change in the economic scene. But timely seed supply in rural areas is one of the
major constraints. Although attempts have been made by several investigators to produce
carp seed, but sustainability aspect of it at commercial level in rural area is still lacking. The
gap between demand and supply of quality carp seeds, by and large, remains a daunting
task. This can be mitigated, if rural fish seed producers are graduated to entrepreneurial
carp seed producers to produce quality carp seed at commercial level. This will not only
make access to regional rural fish farmers with locally produced and nursed quality seed
but also stimulate and support them to adopt fish culture within their situation. In view of
this an attempt was made to develop an entrepreneurial carp seed producer from a
agriculture farmer through technology demonstrations and constant follow-up technical
supports through out the study period by the author at Sarakana village of Balianta block
in district khurda, Orissa. Success story of the farmers of Sarakana village formed the basis
of present communication. In this endeavor, transformation of rural farmers into an
industrial carp seed producer in rural area will assure supply of carp seed at district level
within easy reach of rural fish farmers while simultaneously creating awareness, generating
income and employment for the rural poor.
Farmers were basically agriculturist and possessing paddy land. Till 1986 the productivity
from their land was 2-3 t/ha paddy in Kharif. Aquaculture has lent them professional identity
over the years. As Sarakana is in flood prone area, the risk factors always loomed large. Mr.
B.K.Sahoo and Mr. N. Panda started fish culture in a leased-out Gram Panchayat pond
(village community pond) in partnership as a subsidiary occupation in association with
seven families. Their initial success and encouraging profit margin from aquaculture
prompted them to expand the activities further. In gradual course of time, they tried their
hands in fry and fingerlings rearing in partnership. All these ventures proved to be a good
success. As success breeds success, they made sincere efforts to acquire the fish breeding
technique to produce carp spawn. Their success in fish breeding brought in completeness
to the whole range of aquaculture practices making them self sufficient in spawn, fry,
fingerlings and table size fish production. In addition to meeting their own requirement
they were able to sell considerable quantities of fish seed to other farmers as well. Their
interest in this business intensified further and they then thought of constructing own fish
farm purchasing a patch of low-priced land in the outskirts of the village. In course of time,
they were able to build up other infrastructural facilities - importantly, a farm house, Chinese
carp hatchery, nets and gears, input materials, inducing hormones etc. All these happened
in the course of 1987-2010. As they struggled to build up themselves technically and
economically their prime concern remained to show the way to their family members to
establish themselves professionally by sticking to aquaculture. They derived further
satisfaction because in this profession they were also able to do much in terms of transferring
aquaculture skills to their fellow farmers of the neighboring villages. An "Aquaculture Field
School" (AFS) was established at Sarakana for cost-effective technology dissemination for
rural fish farmers. It is an innovative tool for aquaculture extension where fish farmers act
as resource person and their fish farm is used as practical ground. Farmer to farmer training
is carried out in local language. Thus, from a humble beginning as a small agricultural
farmer they could transform themselves into aqua-culturist of some social standing. At
present their main profession is aquaculture and they are well satisfied with this. Although,
in this village following major activities such as grow out carp culture in village community
ponds, breeding and spawn production using hapas, carp hatchery infrastructure
development for commercial seed production, fry and fingerlings production, construction
of fresh water prawn hatchery for post larvae production, horticulture crop production on
pond embankments and ornamental fish culture were carried out under the constant
technical guidance of the author since inception till date, however present communication
deals with carp spawn, fry, fingerling and yearlings.
Methods
Approach: Study was carried out during 1987-2010 at Sarakana village, situated 12 km
North-East of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in, Balianta block of
Khurda district, Orissa, India. After an initial survey of situation, resources and interest,
ten farmers were selected for starting work in participatory leadership of Mr. B.K.Sahoo
and Mr. N. Panda. Selected farmers were trained on carp seed production in a participatory
mode following need based technology demonstrations. Then farmers started carp spawn
production and seed rearing in phases. Although technological packages were provided
by CIFA, farmers played a key role in planning, formulating and implementing technologies
throughout the study period. Entire study period was categorized into four phases based
on resource creation, inputs and management intensification (Table-1): i) Rural carp seed
producer phase from 1987 to 1995 included hapa breeding with extensive management
and small scale spawn, fry and fingerling production (phase-1); ii) Medium level carp seed
producer phase from 1996 to 2001 included hapa breeding + one hatchery with semi-
intensive management and medium scale spawn, fry and fingerling production (phase-2);
iii) Industrial carp seed producer phase from 2002 to 2008, hapa breeding + two hatchery
complex with intensive management and large scale spawn, fry and fingerling production
(phase-3) (Radheyshyam, 2012) and iv) Knowledge dissemination phase by establishing
"Aquaculture Field School" (AFS) for cost effective farmer to farmer aquaculture technology
transfer from 2009 and onwards with the continuation of all the activities of phase-3 (Phase-
4). Year wise details were collected and documented by the author as a part of routine
activity of rural aquaculture development.
Brood stock management and breeding operation: During 1987-1991 brood fish were
procured from an extensive culture fish pond. However, during 1992-2008 matured fish
were collected in March for management and stocked in well-prepared ponds @ 2-3 tonnes/
ha. They were fed on artificial diets (Radheyshyam, 1997 and 2002). During phase -2 and 3,
hatchery produced shoot growth carp fingerlings were used for brood stock development.
To maintain quality of brood fish, periodical replacement was done with river stock. In
phase-3 & 4 need-based water exchange and water dilution using ground water was done
in brood stock ponds. Two+ year old
Table-1. Category wise management practices at Sarakana
Cyprinus carpio spawn production was initiated in 1987 with pond breeding. Breeding was
undertaken twice a year without using any inducing agents. Hydrilla and Najas were used
as egg collectors. For Indian major carps, only hapa breeding was adopted in phase-1,
while in phase-2 & 3 both hapa and spawning pools were used for breeding. However,
hatching work was mostly completed in incubation pools. The breeding of L. rohita and C.
mrigala was initiated in 1988, C. catla in 1989 (Radheyshyam, 1997), C. idella and H. molitrix
in 2002. During phase-1, PG extract was administered twice in females and once in males.
First dosage was given in evening hours to female @ 5-6 mg/kg and second dosage @ 8-16
mg/kg. Males were injected at the time of second dosage of female @ 4-5 mg/kg male.
During phase-2, besides PG extract, synthetic hormones (ovaprim or ovatide) were used
as inducing agents. Males and females were injected only once @ 0.2-0.5 ml/kg female
and @ 0.1-0.2 ml/kg male. In phase-3&4 only synthetic hormones were administered.
Hatching operation was carried out in hapa in phase-1 whereas; in phase-2 the eco-hatchery
was used. In phase-3 another hatchery with greater efficiencies was added. Per spawning
pool 20-30 kg females were used for breeding in one operation. The eggs were incubated
in hatching pools. Spawn were quantified after 70-75 hours of incubation.
Fry, fingerlings and yearling production management: Fry and fingerling rearing was
carried out using 0.02-0.1 ha ponds during 1987-2010. In phase-1 fish seed rearing was
started with one pond (0.08 ha) in 1987. Since then gradually constructed 9 ponds (0.64 ha)
up to the end of this phase in 1995. In starting of phase-2 same ponds were used but
during later stage, 3 more ponds were added and thus 12 ponds (1.05 ha) were put under
fry and fingerling rearing. In phase-3, construction of 8 new ponds in 2004 made rearing
area 2.08 ha. In maximum cases eradication of unwanted fishes was done by dewatering
ponds. Some of the ponds were dried during summer. The sun-dried ponds were allowed
to accumulate rainwater and/or filled with ground water. While in few cases ponds were
treated with bleaching powder at 35-50 mg/l, other ponds were treated with mahua-oil
cake at 250-300 mg/l

to eradicate unwanted fishes. Manuring was done with cow dung at
5-25 tonnes/ha in installments depending upon inherent productivity of ponds. While
mahua-oil cake treated ponds received less quantity of cow dung, bleaching powder treated
ponds received more. Lime was applied @ 125-250 kg/ha in all ponds other than the
bleaching powder treated ponds. Kerosene oil was sprayed on the pond surface to control
aquatic insects at 60-75 l/ha a day before spawn was stocked.
Few ponds were treated with multiplex at 3-5 kg/ha, either separately or in combination
with cow dung + de-oiled cake (Radheyshyam, 2002). In few cases a mixture of single
super-phosphate, groundnut-oil cake and cow dung was applied. C. catla, L. rohita, C.
mrigala and C. carpio fry were reared in monoculture. Spawn stocking was done @25-100 x
10
5
/ha in 0.5 -1.0 m water depth. When stocked in shallow water phased increase of water
level was done. Generally fry and fingerling rearing were carried out in succession. For
fingerling rearing fry of C. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala, C. carpio, H. molitrix and C. idella in
different ratios were stocked at 0.5-25 x 10
5
/ha. They were fed with rice bran and groundnut-
oil cake at a conventional rate. At times, conventional feeds were fortified with micro
nutrients and vitamin-C. After 10-25 days of rearing fry were harvested whereas, fingerlings
were harvested after 2-4 months of rearing and yearlings after 7-9 months. Occasionally,
paddy farming during summer and fish seed rearing in monsoon and winter months was
carried out using nursery ponds in rotation.
Spawn production: Beginning with poly-culture of carps in partnership using 1.5 ha
leased pond in 1987 Mr. B.K.Sahoo and Mr. N. Panda have traversed a long way diversifying
the activities and reached the pinnacle of success in carp breeding and seed production on
a commercial scale. As against only 3.5 x 10
5
in 1987, carp spawn production touched a
staggering figure of 1531 x 10
5
in 2009 and 1602 x 10
5
in 2010. Along the same line, the total
production of carp fry and fingerlings was 2.2 lakh and 0.4 x 10
5
respectively during 1987
which increased to 99.4 x 10
5
and 15 x 10
5
respectively during 2010. Year wise spawn
production, fry production and fingerling production is shown by Fig. 2, 3 & 4.
Phase-1 was extensive management of brood stock and hapa breeding. It continued for
about 9 years. The activities photographs of phase-1 are given in Fig.1. Breeding of common
carp started in 1987 with spawn production of 3.5 x 10
5
. Gradually framers learnt the
induced breeding techniques of Indian major carps and exotic carps in hapa (Radheyshyam,
1997). In this phase L. rohita, C. mrigala, C. catla and C. carpio could be bred. The spawn
recovery of L. rohita, C. mrigala, C. catla and C. carpio from viable eggs was 37.38-40.18% in
a hapa hatching device. Low recovery from hapa breeding device could be due to
accumulative effects of hapa cutting by crabs, unwanted fish entry into hatching hapas,
presence of predatory cyclopoid copepods in hatching hapas etc. (Mishra et al. 1980, Sarkar
et al. 1984 and Radheyshyam, 2002), sudden change in water temperature, depletion of
dissolved oxygen content and cyclonic weather (Radheyshyam and Sarkar, 1998).Year
wise spawn production is depicted in Fig. 2. Carp spawn production increased to 73 x 10
5
by the end of phase-1 due to increased understanding of technology and improved
management practices. However, total spawn production during this phase was 338.1 x
10
5
worth of Rs.1.69 x 10
5
at current market price by utilizing 827.8 kg female brood fish.
To overcome the poor spawn recovery problems in hapa breeding, author motivated
farmers to construct two cement-concrete made incubation pools in 1995 and three pools
in 1996. It became operational from 1996. Some of the activity photographs of phase-2 are
shown in Fig. 5. The incubation of carp eggs in hatching pools resulted higher spawn
Fig. 1. Activity photographs of phase-1 at Sarakana village
Fig.1(a): PG collection by the farmers Fig.1(b): Preparation of PG extract
Fig.1(c): Releasing injected brood fish in breeding hapa Fig.1(d): Removing spent fish from breeding hapa
Fig.1(h): Growing paddy on pond bed
Fig.1(f): Quantification of eggs
Fig.1(g): Sample spawn verification from hapa
Fig.1(e): Egg collection from breeding hapa
Fig.1(j): Spawn collection (recovery 37-40%) Fig.1(i): Transplanting paddy on pond bed
Fig.1(k): Paddy harvesting from pond Fig.1(l): Cucurbit on pond embankment
recovery of C. catla, L. rohita and C. mrigala, 79.58, 75.05 and 74.43% respectively
(Radheyshyam, 1997, Radheyshyam and Sarkar 1998 and Radheyshyam, 2002). As such
farmer could produce relatively larger quantity of carp spawn. The total spawn
production was about 4 times higher than that of phase-1 due to the operation of circular
cemented carp hatchery and improved management practices. By utilizing 1326 kg female
brood fish, farmers could produce 1387 x 10
5
spawn which valued to Rs.6, 93,700/- at
present market price. Year wise spawn production is presented by histogram (Fig.2).
Per kg female spawn production was found to be higher during phase-2 than in phase-
1. On the commencement of this phase, total spawn production was 157.5x10
5
, but over
the years it increased to 334.3 x 10
5
at the end of Phase-2. Phase-2 continued for 6 years
(1996-2001).
Fig. 5 (a-f). Activity photograph of phase-2 at Sarakana village
Fig.5(a): Site for hatchery construction Fig.5(b): Foundation of carp hatchery
Fig.5(e): Counting fish seed using mussel shell Fig.(f): Transport of fish seed
In phase-3, to meet the carp spawn demand, farmers ploughed back their hard earned
money to construct another carp hatchery with higher production efficiency. This phase
continued for 7 years (2002-2008). Increased investment and management intensification
blended with farmers own experience and need based technological backup by author in
Fig.5(c): A haul of fingerlings Fig.5(d): Segregation of larger fish seed
Fig.6 (a-f). Activity photograph of phase-3 at Sarakana village
Fig.6(a): Breeding & incubation with a collection
chamber
Fig.6(b): Residence cum overhead tank
Fig.6(c): Releasing eggs in hatching pool Fig.6(d): Quantification of eggs
Fig.6(e): Spawn collection from incubation pool for
sale
Fig.6(f): Quantification of spawn from incubation
pools (recovery 80-90%)
participatory mode resulted an increased carp spawn recovery from the fertilized eggs
during phase-3. Some of the selected activity photographs are given in Fig. 6. In this phase
in addition to C. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala, C. carpio, the H. molitrix, and C. idella were also
bred. Year wise total carp spawn production of phase-3 is shown in Fig.2. Spawn recovery
from the fertilized eggs was estimated to 80-90% dsuring initial stage of phase-3, total
carp spawn production was 522 x 10
5
worth of Rs. 2.61x10
5
. In 7 years period farmers
could afford more inputs and intensified management. Subsequently, at the end of phase-
3 in 2008 utilizing 5051 kg female brood fish they produced 1528.5 x 10
5
carp spawn (valued
to Rs7.64 x 10
5
) in four months.
Phase-4 was designated as "knowledge dissemination phase" because during this phase
farmer were imparting skills of aquaculture to their fellow farmers. Over the times farmers
have developed expertise in the field of aquaculture with the constant update of modern
skills through CIFA. Phase-4 initiated from 2009, when CIFA has established "Aquaculture
Field School" (AFS) at this village for cost effective technology dissemination. Now farmers
of Sarakana are imparting technical know-how in local language to the rural fish farmers
of the region in addition to their normal activity of aquaculture. Farmers trained 336 rural
fish farmers including 126 female farmers and 210 male farmers. Few activity photographs
of phase-4 are shown in Fig.7. With the intensified management they had produced 1531
x 10
5
and 1602 x 10
5
carp spawn during 2009 and 2010 respectively. This was found to be
the highest among the different phases. Detail expenditure on brood stock management
and spawn production and economic profitability during 2009 and 2010 at Sarakana is
given in Table 2, 3, 4.& 5.
Fry and fingerling production: Fry and fingerling production initiated in 1987 using
one pond (0.08 ha). Due to high profitability of fry and fingerling, the pond area was
gradually increased to 0.64 ha (9 ponds) in 1995. In phase-1 a total of 95.41 x 10
5
fry
and 14.43 x 10
5
fingerlings were produced. Year wise fry production is given in Fig.3
and fingerlings in Fig.4. Excessive tree shading, accumulation of leaf litters and organic
matters rendered ponds unproductive in phase-1. It adversely affected the carp seed
production (Radheyshyam et al. 1991). At times, masses of foamy brown/white frog
eggs also caused proliferation of tadpoles (Radheyshyam, 2002) affecting fish seed
production in this phase. In this phase carp seed rearing was carried out under extensive
technology management using available and limited resources and carp fry and
fingerling production was at small-scale. The produced carp seed was used for own
use and/or improving their family income.
In phase-2, rearing ponds (9 ponds) in 1996 was increased to 12 ponds (1.05 ha). From
these ponds total fry and fingerling production was 222.95 x 10
5
(av. 37.16 x 10
5
/year) and
13.84 x 10
5
(av. 2.31 x 10
5
/year) respectively which was higher than in phase-2. In this
phase farmers have created more infrastructure and intensified management and input.
This accelerated fry and fingerling production. The surplus carp seed have supplied to
fish farmers of different parts of the district. Farmers have not only generated self
employment and income but also employed several workers at the fish farm for breeding
operation and many fish seed vendors for spawn distribution (Radheyshyam, 2002).
For fry and fingerling rearing farmers constructed 8 new ponds (1.0 ha) in phase-3. A
mixture of de-oiled cake, cow dung and single super-phosphate or multiplex pre-minerals
mixture and vitamin were used for sustained production of natural fish food organisms
(Radheyshyam et al. 1993, Radheyshyam, 2002) in this phase. With the increase of rearing
area, management intensification, adoption of multi-cropping fry and fingerling
productions and local market demands, farmers produced 448.12 x 10
5
fry and 36.13x10
5
fingerlings indicating higher production in phase-3 than phase-2 and 1.
In phase-4 the same ponds were used for fry and fingerling production with intensive
management practices. Total fry and fingerling production, item wise expenditure and
economic profitability during 2009 and 2010 has been given in Table-2, 3, 4 & 5. In this phase
in addition to fry and fingerling production farmers also produced carp yearlings. Total fry,
fingerling and yearling production were 99.2 x10
5
, 8.5 x10
5
and 0.01 x10
5
respectively during
2009 and 99.4 x10
5
, 15 x10
5
and 3 x10
5
respectively during 2010. Farmers earned Rs 3.2 x10
5
and Rs.8.74 x10
5
against the total expenditure of Rs.4.38 x10
5
and 4.64 x10
5
during 2009 and
2010 respectively. The percentage return on expenditure was as high as 120.98% during
2009 and 248.85% during 2010 suggesting high protability in the venture.
Fig.7. Knowledge dissemination Phase-4 at Sarakana village
Fig.7(b): Creating awareness about hapa Fig.7(a): Farmer to farmer training
Fig.7(c): Farmers to farmers field interaction Fig.7(d): Color fish demonstration in Carp hatchery
Fig.7(e): Group discussion session Fig.7(f): Interaction of farmer with entrepreneurs
Fig.7(k): Training during Field Day at AFS Fig.7(l): Interactive training at AFS
Fig.7(g): Interaction of farmer with other farmers on color fish Fig.7(h): Participants in Workshop-cum-Training at AFS at
Sarakana
Fig.7(i): Mr. N.C. Panda sharing fish culture skills with
his fellow farmers at AFS
Fig.7(j): Training of women farmers during Feild Day at AFS
Table-2. Expenditure on brood stock management and spawn production during 2009 and
2010 at Sarakana
Table-4. Total carp seed production and gross return during 2009 and 2010 at Sarakana
Table-3. Expenditure on fry, fingerling and yearling production during 2009 and 2010 at
Sarakana
Table-5. Net return from spawn, fry, fingerling and yearling production at Sarakana during
2009 and 2010
Continuous technical support was provided from KVK/TTC, CIFA since inception
till date to the farmers.
Farmers were resource rich and the family members were educated to carry out fish
farming activities. They also had willingness to involve themselves in aquaculture.
There was outstanding co-ordination and co-operation among family members of
Mr. B. K. Sahoo and Mr. C. Panda to carry out fish seed production jointly from 1987
till date.
Farmers have developed confidence in the profitability of carp spawn, fry, fingerling
and yearling production at sustainable level.
Good communication facility was available to transport inputs and farm produce.
Financial support from State Bank of India and UCO Bank to develop carp hatchery
infrastructure and fish farm through FFDA, State Govt. of Orissa.
Farmers provided free technical support to neighboring fish farmers which in turn
strengthened the fish seed marketing over years.
New knowledge / package of practices / management strategies
At Sarakana village C.catla professional brood fish has been continuously used for
spawning up to 10 years without any adverse effects. However, brood fish was bred
annually once only.
Prolongation of carp breeding activities from early June to mid-September was carried
out by manipulative management of breeders for gonad maturity. Brood fish were
managed in three distinguished phases.
Spent fish require maximum attention, especially less crowding stress for survival,
recuperation and regaining gonad maturity for the next breeding season. However,
percentage of fertilization of eggs and the quantum of spawn production tend to
increase as the female fish breed beyond the second successive year.
The best care and management of brood stock resulted in record level of egg production
to the extent of 20liters/kg L. rohita females and subsequently per kg spawn production
increased.
Pond water was directly used in carp hatchery. Productive utilization of hatchery
effluent water was carried out for breeding and hatching pools after due improvement.
Innovation was done in construction of over-head tank over the roof of double storied
building for increased efficiency. This was used for residence cum carp hatchery
purpose.
Up-gradation of breeder quality was done by inducting river fish and/or shoot growth
fingerlings from hatchery produced seed.
Phased increase in water level in nursery ponds enhanced productivity and fry
survival.
Rotational cropping of paddy cultivation and fish seed rearing in seasonal ponds was
carried out to accelerate productivity and seed recovery.
Periodic de-siltation of ponds proved to be beneficial for sustained productivity
Application of neem oil cake in the pond preparation stage helped in prevention of
disease outbreak in this farm.
Multi cropping of fry in nursery ponds in one season was carried out. Multi-sized fish
seed harvesting from a single pond was carried out and different size seed were
segregated using hapas and desired mesh size net.
Additional utilization of brood- stock ponds for fry rearing was done particularly
during late period of the season.
Agriculturally unsuitable flood prone handicapped land was used for setting up of
aquaculture farm facility. Optimal utilization of pond embankments and adjoining
land space was done for horticulture crop production.
Use of multiplex in nursery ponds improves survival and growth of carp seed.
Use of bivalve shells as a tool for handling tender fry in the process of standardization
of measuring unit
Averting hazards of loss of viable eggs in breeding hapa through net enclosure was
done.
Breeding of Notopterus chitala was done for the first time in captive condition at
Sarakana.
Establishment of Aquaculture Field School at Sarakana for cost-effective technology
dissemination for rural fish farmers where fish farmers act as resource person and
their fish farm is used as practical ground.
Constraints faced by farmers and its mitigation measures
Fish farm is constructed in flood prone area, which resulted pond inundation and
escape of fish seed during severe flash flood. This was overcome by elevating the
pond embankments and by fencing the pond embankments.
At initial stage farmers did not have any technical know-how about fish culture and
fish seed production. They have been trained through participatory approaches by
the author followed by regular follow up action in order to capacity building of the
farmers.
Farmers faced carp seed marketing problems initially which was mitigated by
popularizing through various means including literature development.
There was lack of pond and hatchery infrastructure with the farmers in the beginning
stage. However, with the time to meet the carp seed demand, farmers ploughed back
their hard earned money to construct carp hatchery with higher production efficiency
with increased investment and management intensification blended with farmers own
experience.
Farmers could not get village community pond on lease for maintaining brood stock
for certain tenure due to social rivalry. To get rid of this problem they paid an additional
amount over actual lease value to the Gram Panchayat (GP) authority.
During summer months most of the nursery and rearing ponds or left with no opion
but to maintain water level even below the critical/minimum limit. To overcome this
constraint, famers installed three numbers of deep borewells to fill up the ponds during
crisis and as and when required.
Lessons learnt
From this case study it is obvious that the traditional farmers of Sarakana have been
transformed into industrial seed producers in phases maintaining sustainability.
Acquisition of more infrastructures by recycling the hard earned money, increased
interest and development of self confidence, regular participatory training followed
by technical guidance and incorporation of new knowledge had made the rural fish
farmers to an industrial carp seed producers. Within the phase also there was gradual
acceleration both in seed quantity and income generation indicating a gradual
evolution of entrepreneurial fish seed producer.
There was strong co-ordination and sustained partnership of Mr. B.K.Sahoo and Mr.N.
C. Panda to run the business since inception to till date. This brought their family
members working together wholeheartedly with harmony for each and every aspect
of aquaculture in order to generate self employment, family income and improve
socio-economic status.
In the process of getting cost-effective higher production of spawn, fry, fingerlings
and yearlings at sustainable level, farmers did resource-specific need-based
experimentation by incorporating modern scientific technologies and developed
several innovative knowledge, management and practices suitable to the region.
Technology demonstrations and its sustained implementations, regular follow up
action, skill up gradation blended with farmers own experiences developed expertise
of farmers in aquaculture. To explore the knowledge of experienced farmers freshwater
Aquaculture Field School was established at Sarakana as an efficient tool for cost
effective farmer to farmer transfer of technology in rural area.
The carp seed production was not only to meet the market demands but also generated
income and employment for self and others. Presently, Sarakana fish seed farm
becomes not only a district seed sufficient farm in Orissa, but it also moved towards
district seed surplus farm. To make the country carp seed sufficient for rural
aquaculture development, evolvement of such entrepreneurship in each district is
suggested for rural aquaculture development.
Conservation and multiple uses of water in mid Himalayan region
of Uttarakhand

a success story
Suresh Chandra, S.K. Srivastava, S.K. Gupta, *Prem Kumar,
*N.N. Pandey, *R.S.Patiyal and *P.C. Mahanta
Chirrapani Experimental Field Centre,
Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research,
Champawat-262523, Uttarakhand
*Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research
Bhimtal, Nainital, Uttarakhand
Introduction
Shri Krishna Nand Gahtori a 59 yrs ex- army retired Naik
from Toli village of Pati block, District Champawat,
Uttarakhand had his education up to class X. His family
consists of eleven members. He has a land holding of about
2.0 ha spread over uneven hilly terrain which is about 45km
away from District headquarter. After retiring from Indian
army service in 1987, he took up small scale traditional
agriculture in his village and soon realized fragile nature
of hill agriculture and recurring inconsistency in
productivity. With regard to climatic conditions, resource
availability and geomorpholigical parameters hills are
different than plain areas of the country, and livelihoods
of rural hill farmers mainly depend upon rain-fed
agriculture, forestry, tourism and to some extent money order income. Agriculture farming
became less remunerative to
him because of poor
production. In Himalayan
region, two unique features
are exhibited almost every
year, i.e. excess water during
rainy season which quickly
gets drained and extreme
water scarcity during summer
months. This is also an
important causative factor for
large scale migration of hill
people to urban cities for
employment. Water is highly
valuable and for collection of
Fig.1: Mr. K. N. Gathori, Ex-Army Naik
Fig.2: Forest view developed by farmer
drinking water villagers of Toli had to travel a steep distance of about 500 m . With inherent
army discipline and strong determination, Shri Gahtori decided to overcome this problem
which he identified as a major constraint for all agricultural activities in his village. He
used to discuss this problem with old people of the village, friends and other villagers for
their advice and wisdom. With his sincere efforts of last 21 years (1990-2010), he successfully
increased productivity with resource conservation. The present success story of farmer
deals with the conservation and multiple uses of water in mid Himalayan region of
Uttarakhand.
Resource conservation and tapping
Gathering information from many
sources, in the first step, with the help
of forest department and local village
people, Gahtori started replacing pine
trees of the nearby forest where
perennial water stream was located
with over 15,000 number of
environment friendly oak trees, Burash
etc. considered to have great water
retention quality. Combining the
traditional indigenous knowledge with
modern developed information and its
appropriate uses, they could
successfully retain water for a longer
duration along with sustainability of
ground water resources.
Ensured regular drinking water supply
Without any Government help, arranged
drinking water supply through a pipe line in
the vicinity covering a distance of about 500
meter. After three years of constant efforts,
he decided to erect a pipe line in uneven hilly
land and spent from his own pocket Rs.1700/
- considered to be a big amount during those
days. To stop the wastage of the incoming
water the water was stored in 65 sq m earthen
pond (locally known diggi) constructed near
his house in the year 1990.
Fig.3: Sampling of fish from tank
Fig.4: Farmer observing plankton at DCFR
Utilization of water for fish farming
Efforts were made to increase the value and productivity of the stored water through fish
farming. Initially, local fish Schizothorax spp. collected from nearby hill streams were stocked
in this tank. Although he
continued this work for almost
three years but, it did not yield
good results and got maximum
growth up to 300g size of each fish.
In year 1993, the scientists of NRC
(now DCFR) visited pond and
suggested to practice culture of fast
growing carps (grass carp, silver
carp and common carp) to achieve
higher returns. Under the regular
guidance of scientists, culture of
these species was undertaken and
harvested 50 kg of fish which he
sold @ Rs 40/kg. Seeing good growth and income, he developed confidence and started
taking interest in fisheries training/demonstrations programs with other fish farmers and
visited many places. With a view to intensify fish culture he further expanded his activity.
For this he took subsidized loan (Rs 20,000) from the state fisheries department and
constructed another 250 m
2
earthen pond in the year 1998-99. Water tank was used for
mixed scientific fish farming incorporating Grass carp, Silver carp and Common carp.
Utilisation of water for vegetables crops
Encouraged by the results of fish farming he constructed another 100 m
2
earthen pond with
own resources. Vegetable crops (radish, cabbage and taomato) near the pond were grown
and nutrient rich pond water was used for irrigating vegetable crop which brought down
the cost otherwise spent on fertilizers. These activities greatly enhanced the income of Shri
Gahtori. The tank water is being used for drinking, other routine domestic activities; live
stock rearing, irrigating vegetable crops; and it is also helping in recharging of ground
water. House hold domestic organic waste materials and residues of vegetables/ soft
terrestrial grasses were used as manure and to feed the reared grass carp in fish tanks.
About 500 m
2
agriculture land was irrigated from the fish pond water.
Further expansion of fish farming
Stocking of bigger size fingerlings, regular feeding, taking water quality management,
bottom raking and partial water replacement yielded a production of 210kg/year from 250
m
2
pond. Several demonstrations and training programmes were organized for popularizing
the fish farming practice in the area. Impressed by the progress of fish farming in this
Fig.5: Harvesting of fish from the tank
village, National Fisheries Development
Board (NFDB), Hyderabad sponsored
training programme in Hill Aquaculture
in village Toli in 2009 . Mr Gahtori acted
as a master trainer and has trained over
150 fish farmers of adjoining districts and
also helped in forming 10 self help groups
of women. Many of these have started fish
farming in their own ponds. From 2002
onwards, seeing the success of Mr.
Gahtori, other villagers also showed
interest in fish culture and now 17 fish
culture tanks have come into existence in this Panchayat and total 50 fish tanks have been
developed in Pati block alone, which is highest in the Uttarakhand state. The water was
used for irrigating vegetable crops with better production.
Measures undertaken to augment various crops productivity
Use of fish culture tank water in vegetable crops enhanced vegetable productivity with
reduction in fertilizer cost.
Rational stocking (2-3 nos./m
2
) of ponds in an appropriate combination of species
considering the availability of water, grass and other feed ingredients.
Collection of water from natural resources through gravitational method reduced the
cost of power in lifting water.
Multiple use of water for drinking, irrigation, fish culture and other domestic uses.
Stocking of bigger size (80-120 gm) exotic carp varieties (grass carp, silver carp) along
with improved variety of carp in fish tanks.
Regular pond raking for reducing organic load in the pond.
Partial water replacement.
Fixing of feeding baskets in fish tanks for reducing the feed wastes and better utilization
of feed.
To bring down the expenditure on feed, fish feed was prepared with locally available
ingredients comprising MOC and rice polish. These items were procured locally and
given in fish tanks in dough form. Compared to market feed, the farm made feed
reduced the cost up to 50%.
Demand driven harvesting of fish during extreme winter months or road blockage
and during special occasion fetched higher prices to the farmer.
Regular monitoring of the ponds.
Frequent visits to DCFR, Champawat, Bhimtal fisheries research Institute, nearest KVK
at Lohaghat and State Fisheries Department.
Fig.6: Observing trout at fish farm
Spread effect on fellow farmers: With construction of a 65 m
2
tank initially in 1990-91, fish
culture with two locally available varieties was taken up. No one in this remote area could
believe that fishes can be reared and cultured in tank. After retaining local varieties of
fishes for two years, the fishes could attain 300 g size. With this poor growth farmer was
not satisfied and visited nearest state fisheries office. From there he got help in form of
seed collected from Pant Nagar. With proper care and management fishes grew up to
500g size and fetched a good yield. Seeing the success of fish culture, after three years i.e.
1994-95, farmer constructed another tank with an area of 250 m
2
started fish culture in
bigger way. As told by farmer during this culture period, many fish culture experts
particularly scientists of DCFR (erstwhile NRCWF) visited the tanks and provided critical
technical suggestions. One training programme was organized in November 1995, which
was attended by fifteen members from nearby villages. This was the first turning point for
local farmers when, they realized the importance of fish farming in livelihood earning,
particularly for those who have small land holdings. Second turning point which compelled
the men and women was at the time of harvesting in 1999-2000. Total production of 200kg
with a size range of 800-1000g from 250 m
2
was achieved. From 2001-2009 total 17-18
numbers fish culture tanks/ponds were constructed in three villages and about 50 tanks
came in to existence in Pati block. As per the reports, the Pati became the first to have
highest number of fish culture tanks in the Uttarakhand state. With the help of NFDB in
2009 organized one training programme for local fish farmers in village Toli. Gradually
Table-1: Production and profitability of various crops
with the help of other organizations established 50 self help groups resorting to integrated
fish farming. Now the village is known as Aquaculture Knowledge Centre for hill farmers.
A total 15-16 quintal of fish was produced. This was sold in the locality and also used for
self consumption. Presently, Mr Gahtori owns 6 ponds (total 504 m
2
) for fish farming.
His innovative ideas have not only brought prosperity in his own family but has improved
livelihood of many fish farmers of the village and surrounding areas. Recognizing his
innovative skill and community service, Mr Gahtori has been honored with several
prestigious awards from block, district and state. Recently he
bagged Krishk Ratna (2011) award of Uttarakhand
Government given by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. With his
consistent efforts of last 21 years, he has shown the way for
multiple uses of water. This found to be highly beneficial for
enhancing overall productivity of water resources, fruits and
vegetables besides ensuring drinking water for his own family
and live stock.
Income: From a total 1950 m
2
of land which happens to be poor
productive and use to give inconsistent income of Rs 10,000-
25,000 is now giving a net income of Rs.83,100/year with an
increase of almost 4.5-5.0 times. The contribution of fish alone in
total income of farmer is Rs 40, 000(48.13%).
Conclusion: Water is a precious natural resource of the hills which
require concerted efforts for conservation and judicious
utilization. Conservation with multiple uses of water in one way
helped in enriching natural resources, at the same time elevated
production and productivity of land resources. The approach is
highly beneficial in improvement of livelihood of hilly people
whose wellbeing is greatly dependent upon fragile but potentially
productive hill ecosystem.
Innovation in technology/ management practices/ knowledge and skill
To provide drinking water at easy reach to his village members by developing water
storage facilities.
Conservation of hilly water resources and its productivity increment by implementing
fish farming in these stored water tanks.
After utilization of stored water for fish culture, these productive water was used for
irrigating agricultural crops.
Providing cost effective transfer of technology through farmer to farmer training in
local language.
Fig.7: News paper headlines
With broad canopy leaves, oak trees are known as an efficient water conserving plant
in the Himalayan region. In view of its importance farmer did a plantation of over
15000 environment friendly oak trees in the locality.
Firm determination of the retired army Naik Mr Gahtori to serve his own villagers.
Co-ordination and co-operation of the local farmers in conducting the work.
Strong linkages and support by the Fishery department, DCFR (ICAR), KVK at
Lohaghat and NFDB.
Networking with various organizations for diversified activities/operations in the
region.
Constraints faced
Initially there was no any water storage tank in the vicinity and villagers were
procuring drinking water from far of places with much difficulty.
Lack of awareness about water storage and fish farming technology in the stored
water.
Lack of adequate infrastructure for large scale fish farming.
Inadequate availability of plain land in Himalayan hill region in order to take
agriculture work on commercial scale.
Small uneven land holding and acute scarcity of water in summer months.
Due to high altitude and lower thermal regime, slower growth of stocked fishes
resulting to lower fish production.
Though, fish seed is produced at food-hills of Himalayan region, but due to
disadvantageous hilly area, their transportation is very difficult.
Grow out carp polyculture by SC/ST women of Palsaguda, Boudh, Odisha

a case study
H. K. De, D. N. Chattopadhyay, Radheyshyam, G. S. Saha,
A. K. Dash, T. S. Satpati and S. Pal
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751 002, India
Introduction
Natural resources are the backbone of the tribal community. They earn their livelihood from
these diversified natural resources. Its scientific management would ensure improvement in
their production level and sustain the requirement. The state of Odisha has an area of 1,55,707
sq. km. Boudh, an erstwhile sub-division of Boudh-kondhamal, lies in central part of Odisha.
It has 225 ha aquaculture resources (0.65% of total geographic area). However, 49% of total
aquaculture resources are suitable for pisciculture. Private tanks contribute only 13% and
gram panchayet tanks constitute 70.26% of the total aquaculture resources. Both seasonal
and perennial ponds constitute aquaculture resources in Boudh district. Schedule caste and
Schedule tribes constitute 21.88% and 12.47% of the population respectively. Role of women
has always been supplementary to that of bread winners although their contribution to the
family is substantial, yet activities are confined within household. Involvement of rural women
in aquaculture production activities including composite carp culture, seed rearing and
integrated fish farming has been advocated for their socio-economic upliftment and generation
of self employment. However, lack of focus coupled with cultural and social constraints limit
participation of women in training and empowerment programmes. Women are in subsistence
aquaculture in India, taking care of fish after stocking. Appropriate methods in aquaculture
extension with adoption of scientific technology can motivate rural women towards
aquaculture practice in a sustainable way. In order to strengthen the livelihood of tribal people
several projects with both farm based and non-farm interventions are being implemented
however, aquaculture interventions are very limited. Therefore dissemination of grow out
carp poly culture technology by demonstration among SC/ST women in Boudh district of
Odisha was undertaken by the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar
during 2009-12 with the financial support of Department of Science and Technology (DST),
Government of India (GOI).
Jay Hanuman self help group of women was founded in Palsaguda Village, Kantamal block
in Boudh district in 2006. The group was engaged in rice cultivation and later they started
composite fish culture in Kaliabandh pond (1 ha) since 2008. Total members of this SHG
were eleven including Schedule Caste (3), Schedule Tribe (5) and Other Backward Classes
(3). All members were housewives and their average age was 38 years. The group had
primary level education and primary occupation was agriculture. Narayani Panigrahi (40),
having an active interest in fish culture was acting as a leading person of this group. Main
occupations were agriculture, seasonal crop culture and fish culture from which they earned
them a meager income. During the course of its journey, the SHG group had faced many
social and cultural problems. Jay hanuman SHG had adopted a seasonal pond from Gram
panchayet @ Rs. 23,200 in 2010. The pond held water for 6-7 months only. Every year lease
value was increased by 10% of the prior adoption. During monsoon water level rose up to
3 - 4 m but in summer season it decreased up to 1-1.5 m. Initially they followed traditional
practice of aquaculture, but after CIFA's intervention, the new horizon had opened in carp
culture. They had started with Indian Major Carp culture and later they adopted grow out
carp culture. The average annual yield prior to adoption of CIFA technologies was 700 kg/
ha which was much below the potential.
The team of experts from CIFA realized after visiting the pond that fish production from
Palsaguda can be accelerated through the implementation of scientific management for
providing self employment, income generation and improving nutritional security of the
Fig.1: Beneficiaries being trained in stocking procedure
tribal. Details of aquaculture
practices followed by the
farmers prior to adoption
were documented. Limiting
factors for low fish
production were analyzed
and intervention points were
identified. Culture of advance
fingerlings/ yearlings in
seasonal ponds was thought
to be a better alternative for
getting higher production in
limited period. Advanced
carp fingerlings were stocked
@ 6500/ha in Palsaguda
pond. Hands on training was provided in different aspects of freshwater aquaculture viz.,
pond preparation, liming, stocking, manure application, feeding, health care and harvesting
(Fig:1) . The principle of 'learning by doing' was employed to reinforce the new skills of
carp poly culture. Training was imparted to the group both at pond site as well as at CIFA
headquarters (Fig.2). Critical inputs like fish seed, lime, feed and fertilizers were provided
to the groups in order to encourage them to adopt scientific practices.
Application of quicklime: Lime was applied to the pond depending on water quality.
Water pH determination was done using portable pH meter (Fig.3). Compensatory
application of lime @ 110kg/ha was done during winter season.
Fig.2: Interaction with beneficiaries at the pond site
Fig.3: Water pH being measured with portable kit
Application of fertilizers and manure: Fertilizer was applied in two-phases i.e. basal dose
and split dose. Urea and DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) were applied @ 100 kg/ha and
50 kg/ha respectively as a split dose to produce natural fish food organisms.
Stocking: A total of 6500 advanced fingerlings (8-10 cm) of India Major Carps (Labeo rohita,
Catla catla and Cirrhinus mrigala) and exotic carps (Cyprinus carpio and Ctenopharyngodon
idella) were stocked. Fish seed were procured from Odisha Pisciculture Development
Corporation (OPDC) hatchery at Binika, Sonepur. Silver carp fingerlings could not be stocked
owing to non availability in hatchery. Women SHG members actively participated in this
activity.
Supplementary feeding: Supplementary feed was applied in bamboo basket (Fig.4) or
jute bags suspended from a pole. Feed was prepared by mixing mustard oilcake and rice
bran in the ratio of 1:1 by weight. Fish were fed in dough form @ 5% of body weight of
fishes stocked in the initial months and subsequently @ 2-3% of the body weight. Total
1200 kg Mustard oil cake and 1000 kg rice bran were provided to Jay Hanuman WSHG.
Women members actively participated in feeding practices twice a day i.e., morning and
evening.
Fig.4: Preparation of dough ball by mixing rice bran and mustard oil cake
Fish health management and sampling: Monthly sampling was done to examine fish
health (size, weight and various parasitic diseases) mainly during winter season. Intermittent
liming was done for water quality management and pond disinfection.
Harvesting and marketing: Single stocking and multiple harvesting strategies was
adopted. Fish production level was recorded after harvesting the fishes from the pond. A
total 1100 kg table size fish were harvested during the month of February. Only 3-4
labourers with their drag net were hired by SHG for harvesting. Local villagers and traders
were informed about partial
harvesting one day in
advance. Part of the
harvested fishes was
distributed among the
members for household
consumption and the rest
was sold at the pond site by
WSHG members (Fig.5&6).
After complete harvesting,
fishes were sold in the
nearby market where the
retail prices ranged from Rs
80-110/ kg.
Fig.5: Women selling harvested fish at pond site
Fig.6: WSHG members with their share of fish for consumption
Freshwater pond resources have immense potential for carp production for livelihood
generation and fight against malnutrition. At the beginning village community ponds which
were not managed scientifically. Main occupation of the WSHG group members was
agriculture and other daily activities. Besides these activities, they were motivated to utilize
existing water bodies for scientific fish farming. Demand of common carp was higher than
other species in Palsaguda market. It has also been observed that increase in fish yield has
resulted in increased household consumption of quality fish.
Prior to adoption the beneficiaries used to buy fish seeds (L. rohita, C. catla, C. mrigala)
without any definite ratio of species. Fish seed of 2-2.5 cm size were stocked at a density of
12000/ ha. As evident from Table 7, mean production from the adopted ponds increased to
1100 kg/ha in 6 months culture period as against pre-adoption production level of 700 kg/
ha during same culture period (Fig.7). Productivity levels have gone up by 57.14 % as
compared to pre adoption level. The variable cost was worked out to be Rs. 37773.08/ ha
(Table 2). The production system practiced by the farmers enabled them to earn net income
of Rs 61226.92/ ha over variable cost. This has resulted in net return of 162.09% of the
variable cost. The B: C ratio for Kaliabundh pond was worked to be 1.62. Share of various
inputs in variable cost in decreasing order were; feed (57%), lease value (13%), interest
(7%), lime & fertilizer (7%) and netting and transport (8%). Labour and seed constituted
only 2% each in variable cost. (Fig.8)
Table 1. Total fish production in pre-adoption and post adoption phase in Kaliabundh pond
Lessons learnt
Most of SC/ST members of Jay Hanuman WSHG earn their livelihood from daily wage
works in diversified fields including agriculture and allied activities like seasonal crop
cultivation. They are also engaged in various handicraft activities e.g., cotton wick, papad,
etc. Any loss in their wage works may affect their bread and butter adversely. In this
situation scientific aqua-farming opened a new horizon to the Jay Hanuman group
members. Women are not only confined within domestic work but also actively participate
in aquaculture. They realized that aquaculture is one of the weapons to fight against
malnutrition and poverty. Proper training, support and motivation can strengthen the
socio-economic status of the women through the aquaculture activities. They took part in
decision making related to fishery activities which is fairly good indicator of their status.
Smt. N. Panigrahi, Secretary of Jay Hanuman WSHG with her dynamic leadership not
only improved economic status of her group but also motivated other women of this village.
Table 2. Economics of grow out carp culture in Kaliabundh pond in 6 months of culture
period
Innovations in technologies/management method/knowledge/skills
Boudh district is endowed with plenty of water resources, most of which are seasonal
water bodies having water retention of 6-7months only. Besides, the pond bottom is
rocky. To prevent seepage loss farmers applied organic manure.
Due to short duration of culture period bigger fingerlings were stocked for improving
production level.
Low external input aquaculture with emphasis on locally available resources was
promoted.
Constraints
During the course of work several constraints have been encountered. These are pointed
below :
Non availability of desired quality and quantity of fish seed was a major constraint in
fish culture operation in Boudh. Generally 1.5 - 3.6 cm size fry was available in
government hatchery.
Poor water retention capacity (6-7 months) of the pond causes water scarcity. High
rate of evaporation along with high rate of seepage loss adds to the problem.
Lack of technical knowledge of the fish farmers.
Aquatic weed infestation in the pond was another constraint to fish farming. Some
common weeds named Pistia, Hydrilla, Nymphea, Phragmites, etc. found in the pond.
Presence of predatory fishes in the pond was another problem because they voraciously
feed the fish seed and feed. They also compete with the oxygen and space.
Suggested measures
Aquatic weeds are to be removed from the pond manually.
Bigger size fingerlings / yearlings (size ranges from 8-10 cm) should be stocked in the
pond as it grows very fast within 6 -7 months period. Government owned hatcheries
should make available bigger size fingerlings to the farmers.
Use of farm made feeds, feeding methods and feeding strategies need to be promoted
for enhancing production. Use of floating feed that has an advantage for non-
deteriorating water quality should be encouraged particularly for seasonal ponds.
Pond fertilization and liming are the key factors to increase the productivity. Since
pond water is utilized for domestic needs, judicial/sustainable use of manures should
be adopted keeping in view the water quality requirement for the society as well for
growing fish.
Conclusion
CIFA intervention in Palsaguda village was expected to bring desirable changes in the
farmers behaviour, knowledge, skill and attitude through education and training. This
would lead to increase in their farm productivity, more access to services from relevant
institutions and link farmers with an appropriate market for their produce. Scientific fish
farming should be promoted in the district by conducting more awareness programmes,
training and demonstrations. Strengthening of aquaculture extension services is strongly
advocated. There are plenty of aquatic resources that remain unexploited. Grow out carp
culture by women should be promoted as a means of improving their socioeconomic
conditions. Success of Jai Hanuman women self help group has not only empowered its
members but also influenced other women in Palsaguda village for adopting aquaculture
technologies.
Freshwater prawn entrepreneurship
Prasanti Mishra
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture,
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar-751002, Orissa
Introduction
Several shrimp farming ventures collapsed in 1990s, owing to degraded environment and
viral diseases, abetted by lack of awareness and inadequacy of information on the culture
systems and their interactions with other human endeavours. This shrimp farming
experience has made the aquafarmers and other stakeholders aware that while aquaculture
has a high potential in ensuring food and nutritional security and livelihood, besides profit
to the farmer and socio-economic benefits to local communities, it is likely to slip from
sustainable development pathways if adequate understanding, improved management
practices, government policies, the plans for implementation and regulation to ensure
sustainability are not in place. Freshwater prawns have responded well in polyculture with
carps. However, bottom-feeding carp fishes should be avoided Freshwater prawns can
also play a positive role in enhanced fisheries programmes .The freshwater prawn farming
is one of the alternatives by diversifying species reqruitment under different culture practices
with the aim to meet the lost encountered in shrimp farming. In view to this significance,
many farmers from the coastal area searched freshwater prawn farming as an alternative
option for their livelihood. One such successful case of freshwater prawn entrepreneurship
forms the basis of the present communication.
Dr. Nilohit Harichandan is one
of the agriculturists. The main
source of income was bamboo
cultivation. From this income
he started pisciculture. As he
was studied upto M.Sc. in
applied fisheries, he was very
much interested to use his
specialization for fish farming.
The freshwater prawn culture
was implemented in village
Hatabaradi by Dr. Harichandan
Fig.1: A view of prawn polyculture farm
agriculturist (42) qualified up to doctorate degree. Last 15 years he has worked in brackish
water prawn production, but due to collapsed brackish water prawn farming in coastal
area, first time he adopted freshwater prawn culture in his own one hectare pond (Fig.1)
with technical support from Central Institute of Freshwater Aquacultue under Department
of Science and Technology (DST) funded project "Growth and production efficiency of three
larger Macrobrachium species under mono and poly culture practices".
Study was carried out in a coastal village Hatabaradi, Balugaon, district Khurda in Odisha
during June-December 2011, utilizing one pond covering an area of one hectare of Dr.
Harichandan. For removing unwanted fishes from the pond farmer applied urea 100 kg
and bleaching powder 200 kg/ha. Urea was applied first, thereafter bleaching powder next
day. Cleaning of pond was done during month of May before stocking of prawn seed along
with Rohu and Catla for prawn poly culture. To maintain the alkaline nature of pond he
applied lime @ 200 kg/ha in the month of June. He made a solution of lime with water and
spread it over the water surface of the pond from one end to another. Second dose of lime
was also applied during the
month of September to
maintain hygienic condition
of pond water. In the month
of July to August fertilizer
was applied to maintain the
availability of natural food
and to increase the
planktonic population in the
pond system. After 15 days
of application of lime, urea
and super phosphate was
applied in desired quantity
depending on the soil and
water quality of the pond. Cow dung @ 4-6 tonne/ha was applied in the pond.
After proliferation of natural fish food organisms stocking was done in July 2011 with
Rohu and Catla @ 7000 fry/ha. Prawn seed were stocked 30,000 - 40,000 /ha. This needed
more care and precautions. He transported prawn seeds Macrobrachium rosenbergii (15-20mm)
from Puba Sasan to Hatabaradi village in polythene bags under oxygen pressure. About 1/
3 of the polythene bag was filled with water and 2/3rd with oxygen, acclimatized by gradual
addition of pond water and then released into the pond where grass patches were present.
Fig.2: Dr. Harichandan with partial prawn harvest
During starvation, strong and big sized prawn attack on smaller size prawns and eats them.
To minimize such predations he made special arrangements by keeping bamboo frames to
provide hide during moulting time. For this purpose he also placed some water hyacinth
inside the bamboo frame. Apart from this large palm leaves, plastic pipes and small asbestos
sheets were used inside the pond. Due to differential growth in prawns, Dr. Harichandan
made partial harvest of prawns during culture period (Fig.2). He harvested selectively the
bigger size prawns and sold in near by market.
The production capacity in prawn culture depends upon the feed provided in the pond.
GNOC and rice bran were also used as feed in 1:1 ratio by weight as supplementary feed
for both prawn and fish. He also mixed vitamin and mineral mixture in the feed. Feed was
applied with the help of split bamboo basket. Somehow, in addition to GNOC and rice
bran he also used poultry viscera, slaughter house waste, mussel and snail meat to feed the
prawns. The quantities of feed provided to prawns depend upon the weight of the prawn
seed stocked in the pond, which was around 3-10% of the body weight. He provided feed
in the morning and evening daily.
Water quality parameters analyzed fortnightly in the CIFA chemistry laboratory were: Water
temperature 26-32
0
C, pH 7 - 8.5, D.O >2.5 ppm, total hardness,100 - 180 ppm, NH4 + N,
0.02- 0.20 ppm, Calcium 30 - 80 ppm, Phosphorus, 0.01- 0.8 ppm, Nitrogen ,0.05 - 0.5 ppm.
There was heterogeneity in growth. After 7 months of culture period prawns of the
marketable size (Av.wt.40g) were harvested partially through specially prepared drag net
at certain intervals. The left over prawns were allowed to grow up marketable size. Fish
Fig-3: Harvest of the prawn and carp in polyculture
were harvested by complete draining out the pond water. In comparison of fish, it was
difficult to catch prawns from the ponds by using ordinary drag net. Therefore special nets
were prepared using glass beads or iron weights to it bottom to make pockets, in which
once the prawns get caught it may not able to escape out. A haul of carp and prawn crop is
given in Fig.3. Final harvested prawn is given in Fig.4. Prawn recovery was 43% whereas;
the recovery of Rohu and Catla was 70 and 80% respectively (Table-1). A total of 546.5 kg
prawn, 1228.8kg Rohu and 242.3kg Catla were harvested from 1 ha water body. The fish
was sold @ Rs.70/ kg whereas prawns were sold @ Rs.200/kg. In comparison of fishes,
prawn gets decomposed faster and gives bad odour. Therefore, just after harvesting farmer
sold the prawn in local market near Khurda and in unit IV market of Bhubaneswar.
Fig.4. Harvested prawn crop
Table-1: Stocking and harvesting details in prawn polyculture at Hatabaradi
Economics: From the Table 2 it is obvious that farmer made gross income of Rs.109300/-
from the sale of prawn and Rs.102970/- from carp fish sale against a total expenditure of
Rs.80600/-. The net return was Rs.131670/- with percentage return of 163.36% indicating
high profitable aquaculture business for the farmers.
Table 2: Economics of prawn poly culture in Hatabaradi village
Reasons for success
Farmer was highly educated with a specialized branch of fisheries.
Being experienced farmer he has developed confidence in the profitability of
aquaculture.
Technical support was provided by CIFA at his need.
Adequate number of substrate was provided to increase surface area in pond in order
to hide the moulted prawn.
In order to mitigate bird picking of the prawn pond was covered with gillnet.
Cull harvesting was carried out to market larger sized prawn for getting higher price
in local market.
Lessons learnt
Dr.Harichandan is an unemployed youth and his dedication and keen interest in freshwater
prawn production made him a successful prawn farmer. Since he has started his freshwater
prawn farming business first time in the vicinity, he faced problems in farm produce
marketing. However, depending upon unit IV, Bhubaneswar market he could manage to
sell the prawn at reasonable price. In coastal Odisha there is ample scope to replicate his
success to produce freshwater prawn and carps for increasing family income and
employment of the rural youth.
Freshwater prawn culture by the women self-help groups in
Balipatna block of Khurda district, Odisha

a successful venture
Prasanti Mishra, Nirupama Panda, S.Behera*, Lekha Safui* and B.Behera*
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar - 751002, Odisha
* Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CIFA, Kausalyaganga
Introduction
Contrast to the depletion of marine fisheries, freshwater aquaculture is being progressed at
a remarkable growth rate. Freshwater prawn culture, a profitable and remunerative business
for the local fish farmers, can be adopted very easily in order to generate employment and
family income maintaining sustainability. With growing demand for freshwater prawn, an
emergent need is felt for its growth and culture in local ponds in rural villages. Human
resource is one of the crucial inputs to implement the agricultural and allied activities,
which are adequately available in rural area. Several self-help groups (women self helf
groups as well as men self help groups) have been organized in the country to utilize their
capability and strength by involving them in different group activities like agriculture,
horticulture, animal husbandry, small business, art and craft, etc. In this regard, aquaculture
is also playing a significant role in improving the socio-economic status of many such groups.
Since, Odisha is having a plenty of water resource potentials for pisciculture, the state
government is emphasizing on tapping these water resources for optimum utilization in
pisciculture. The Gram Panchayat ponds in the village are being leased out to the women
self-help groups (WSHGs) on priority basis for a short term period (3 to 5 years) and the
women are encouraged for pisciculture with provision of adequate technical input and
capacity building. Many of the WSHGs are successfully implementing aqua-farming and
their success stories may be of different kinds. Present success story deals with freshwater
prawn culture by women self-help groups in Balipatna block of Khurda district, Odisha - a
successful venture.
Background Information
The WSHGs in Balipatna block, Khurda district are usually doing composite fish culture
(rohu, catla and mrigal) as a group activity. An innovative step was undertaken for
alternative culture practice in which, freshwater prawn (M. rosenbergii) was introduced in
place of mrigal. The culture practice was adopted from the DST sponsored project "Growth
and production efficiency of three larger Macrobrachium species - Macrobrachium rosenbergii,
Macrobrachium malcolmsonii & Macrobrachium gangeticum under mono and poly culture
practices".
Materials and Methods
Three WSHGs namely Maa Mangala, Dulla Dei and Gayatri of Prataprudrapur, Bolamara
and Nagapur village respectively were selected from Balipatna Block, Khurda District,
Odisha. The WSHGs comprise 15, 18 and 13 members with age group of 24-48 years.
More than 80% of the members have agriculture as their main occupation and about 20%
of the members depend on service for their household income. These three WSHGs
diverted to pisciculture as their group activity from agriculture in 2009. They were doing
composite fish farming along with mrigal in these six G.P. ponds. In Sept, 2010, DST
project was implemented in these six ponds for adoption of prawn culture along with
carps (rohu & catla). The size of the ponds were 0.18 & 0.16 ha (Cluster I adopted by Maa
Mangala WSHG),
0.17 & 0.21 ha
(Cluster - II, Dulla
Dei WSHG) and
0.25 & 0.19 ha
(Cluster - III,
Gayatri WSHG).
All the six ponds
were stocked with
seed of M.
rosenbergii with
average weight
0.15 g at 1,000 nos/
pond along with
carps (rohu and
catla). The carp
f i n g e r l i n g s
comprising Catla catla and Labeo rohita of size 5-7 g and 6 - 8 g respectively, were stocked
by the women farmers at 3,000 nos/ha. Financial credit was provided to the WSHGs by
the State Bank of India. The selected WSHGs were provided hands on training by CIFA
on different management protocol which include pond preparation, liming, fertilization
and stocking of seed, etc. The water quality parameters of ponds were monitored every
month at CIFA. The growth rate was checked at periodic intervals (fortnightly). At the
end of six months, final harvesting of prawns and carps were made after draining out the
water from the pond in the month of February, 2011.
Women stocking prawn seed in the pond
During culture, water temperature of the ponds varied from 28.2 to 30.1C, water pH was
slightly alkaline in reaction, while
other important parameters like
dissolved oxygen (DO), total
alkalinity, total hardness and
dissolved ammonia (NH
3
) were
within the acceptable limits with
very little variations (Table 1). The
average growth of M. rosenbergii
was maximum at 65.85 g in
Cluster - I followed by Cluster - II
(61.05 g) and Cluster - III (60.65 g)
from the initial stocking size of
0.15 g. On the other hand the
survival in three clusters was 46%,
42.5% and 43% respectively.
Expenditure on different heads in
prawn culture with carp in six selected ponds is given in the Table 2. From this activity
WSHGs harvested 75kg, 78 kg and 84 kg of prawn, rohu 151kg, 90 kg and 120 kg and catla
122 kg, 140 and 152 kg in cluster I, II & III respectively. Prawn was sold in a range of @ Rs.
180 - 200/kg and carp fish @ Rs. 65-70/kg in local markets (Table 3). Sale price of prawn
and carps varied from cluster to cluster. In cluster I, unit sale price of prawn was Rs. 200/
kg higher than other two Clusters and quantity of rohu and catla produced were also more
than these two Clusters I &
II that has resulted in more
gross income in Cluster I.
Moreover, total
expenditure was lower
than these two Clusters, I &
II, which has brought out
highest net return on
expenditure and ultimately
lowest cost benefit ratio
and highest profitability
Index.
Final harvesting of carps and prawn
Training on freshwater prawn for rural women
Table 1: Mean water quality parameters in three clusters of village ponds
Table 2: Economics of prawn (M.rosenbergii) with carp (Rohu + Catla) culture
* Cow dung was used from their own village
** Liming, stocking, feeding, manuring and watch & ward by the members themselves
Reasons for success and intervention
Technical input Training and demonstration
Encouraging the women into constitution of WSHGs
Cohesiveness among the members of WSHGs
Quality seeds of M.rosenbergii from CIFA
Facilities for financial credit
Lessons learnt
The results indicated that freshwater prawn culture along with rohu and catla gives
encouraging production in both prawn and carps which convinced the women of the self-
help groups. Although the ponds used were seasonal with water level varying from 0.8-
1.2 meter during culture period, the achievement in production has drawn the attention of
local farmers for adoption of freshwater prawn culture along with rohu and catla. It may
be an ideal example to motivate other rural farmers for adoption of this management
practice with adequate training, infrastructure, marketing and financial credit.
Recommendations
Popularization of freshwater prawn culture with carps in rural ponds
Encouraging more women to involve themselves in freshwater prawn culture through
SHGs
Frequent monitoring and evaluation by the concerned FEO of the blocks
Table 3: Gross return and net income from sale of prawn and carp
Pulse crop - fish integration in Shirhir village of Allahabad
Suresh Chandra
Chirrapani Experimental Field Centre
Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Champawat-262523, Uttarakhand, India
Email: schandra@dcfr.res.in
Introduction
Indian aquaculture is mainly dominated by small scale farming activities and contributing
about 40% to the total fish production. Efforts in maximizing sustained returns from these
small water bodies could be of great help to the farmers in achieving better nutritional
security in rural areas. Pond embankments/dykes cover about 10-15% of total pond area.
However, in majority of cases this potential area remains unutilized. Present communication
is based on the observations made in some selected village fish farms at Allahabad where
pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) cultivation was undertaken on pond dykes to enhance
productivity and profitability. Mutual benefits of integrating pigeonpea with fish culture
ponds were evaluated for a period of two years. Findings from this study revealed that
pond embankments offer an ideal space for cultivation of pigeonpea particularly in low
land areas. Arahar being a leguminous plant improves soil characteristic of pond dyke
and bottom sediments and reduces soil erosion by holding the soil firmly through its deep
roots. The better growth of pigeon pea plants on the dykes probably due to upland and
lower water retention rate, availability of nutrient rich pond water for irrigation, less pest
infestation mainly during winter season (foggy condition) due to presence of pond water
and better light penetration with higher yields. Growing this second most important pulse
variety on fish pond embankments ensured its easy availability in low land areas where
its cultivation is difficult because of excess water. Leaf litter fall from the Arahar plants in
pond water acted as green manure, thus increased nitrogen values with natural food
development in form of benthic fauna, detritus, phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Integration of pigeonpea with fish farming in low land areas is found to be equally beneficial
both to terrestrial as well as aquatic crop i.e, pigeon pea and fish. Large scale adoption of
this farming approach with further refinement and improvement would help in optimum
resource utilization, reducing production cost; obtaining vegetarian /non-vegetarian
protein rich food ingredient at one place, improving soil health with higher monetary
returns to farmers.
Population growth, rapid urbanization increased, use of land for housing, industrial and
other activities and changing life style has led to the decrease in per capita land availability
for agriculture purposes. Efficient and sustainable use of available land/aquatic area is
the need of the hour for optimizing the agricultural production to fulfill the growing
demand of food items in the country. As land is a fixed factor of production, hence,
intensification options accompanied by appropriate techniques could increase the
production. In addition to available agricultural land area, India is endowed with 2.414
million ha ponds and tanks and 3.15million ha reservoirs. A large underutilized or
unutilized land area in form of earthen sidewalls known as bundh (embankment) is
available with these water bodies which offer immense potentials for cultivation of
vegetables or seasonal crops. Although, the terrestrial area available with these water bodies
vary from place to place depending upon the size, slope, location, soil texture, purpose
etc. however, more or less 10-20% land area of each fish culture pond remain available in
the form of pond dykes or embankments. But, because of large scale unawareness about
proper cropping methods on the land area, in majority of cases it remains unutilized
throughout the culture period. Appropriate crop cultivation on the pond dykes could help
in getting diversified product, reducing cost of production with improved farm production
and enhanced income with optimum benefit to the farmers.
In northern states of India, a major segment of the population subsists on vegetarian food
and decorticated cotyledons of pulses known as dal. It has an important place in food
basket of every household. Among all pulses pigeonpea has high demand. It contains
about 20-21% protein with important amino acids like methionine, lysine and tryptophan.
Among all important pulse crops, pigeonpea ranks second, next to chickpea and 90% of
total world production is contributed by India. With a view to utilize embankments area,
pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) cultivation was tried to increase nutritional security and generate
additional income in rural areas. In this paper mutual benefits of integrating pigeon pea
with fish culture ponds are discussed.
Location of the village
The fish farm is located at
Sirhir village, which is
about 40 km away from
the main city Allahabad in
Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The
farmer, Shri Indresh
Pandey, in the beginning
started fish culture in a
weed infested 4.0 ha old
village community pond
(Fig.1) with cultivation of
Indian and exotic carp
Fig.1: A view of an old Gram Panchayat pond
species during eighties. Seeing the profitability in fish culture, farmer prepared another 5
ponds of 0.5 to 0.1 ha area during 2000-2004 (Fig.2).The work was carried out under the
extension programme of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar.
Fig.2: Diagrammatic view of the fish farm
Methods
Fish culture: For fish and prawn farming a need based fish farm was constructed as given
in Fig. 2. Two grow out ponds each 4.0 ha and 0.5 ha (total 4.5 ha) were stocked with Rohu
(Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon
idella), Silver carp (Hypophthal michthys molitrix) and Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the
ratio of 25:25:20:15:10:05. Few specimens of tilapia, a banned species also entered in the
Fig.3: Carp fish and prawn harvesting
big perennial pond. Other three ponds (0.3 ha) were used as buffer nursery ponds for
growing stunted fingerlings of carps and stocked with fry at the rate of 3, 00,000 /ha.
Trials to grow freshwater scampi Macrobrachium rosenbergii with other carp species in a
pond of 0.2 ha along with Rohu, Catla and Grass carp was also undertaken. For prawn-
fish poly culture pond was stocked @ 5,000 fry /ha and 5000 post larvae/ha. Mannuring
with 5-6 tonnes of cow-dung/ha/yr, nitrogen fertilizer 50 kg/ha and SSP 350 kg/ha/yr
was provided in all the fish culture ponds. A combination of easily available paddy straw
(1-2 tonnes/ha) -urea-cow dung also applied in one corner of each pond. The bigger old
pond of 4.0 ha was frequently used for cattle bathing and therefore, in this pond, lower
dose of cow dung was used. Supplementary feed consist of rice polish and mustards oil
cake in 1:1 @ 2-1 % was given throughout the culture period in baskets. While in nurseries,
the same feed was applied @ 5-3% of total body weight of fishes. Regular water quality
management, supplementary feeding, monitoring of growth and health of stocked species
was done. Since the seed was available through out the culture period hence, multi-stocking
and multi-harvesting was adopted (Fig.3).
Use of pond dykes for Pigeonpea cultivation: Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an annual woody
stemmed leguminous plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. This grows up to 3-4 m in
height. About 0.55 ha land
in the form of
embankment crown
(width 1.5-2.5 m) and
upper sloppy area was
used for growing the long
duration (240 days) Bahar
variety. Seed was sown in
the mid of June. Total 12 kg
treated seed was used.
Depending upon the
availability of space, seed
was shown in two to four
rows in each embankment. Plant to plant distance was maintained at about 15-25 cm and
line to line 40-75 cm. Both sides were usually used while middle portion was left as an
approach road. During initial months entry of cattle was restricted to save the crop. Since
pigeon pea is a leguminous plant, application of nitrogen fertilizer was minimal and other
fertilizers mainly phosphorus fertilizer was used at the prescribed rate of 20-26-10 NPK.
Weed eradication and other activities were regularly undertaken giving due consideration
to fish ponds also. The seed germinated in two weeks time. Flowering started from October
onwards (Fig. 4 & 5). The harvesting was done in February. The initial irrigation was
provided from the pond water.
Fig. 4: Arahar crop on pond embankments at Sirhir Village, Allahabad
In a culture duration of about 12-18 months total 7003 kg of fishes including tilapia, 10.64
kg of prawns (Fig.6) and 152000 nos. of grass carps juveniles and 60,000 advance fry were
realized from fish ponds. While from embankment about 509 kg of Arahar seed was
obtained. Cyclic stocking and harvesting was adopted. In the local fish markets fishes
above 700-800 g size were well accepted and fetched normal price. Traditionally fish culture
was practiced in one of the old Gram Panchayat ponds (4.0 ha). Rich practical experience
gained over the years through practicing fish culture and regular interaction of farmer
with local fish experts acted as a valuable input in the development of this fish farm. To
extend aquaculture
activities and facilities,
new fish ponds were
gradually prepared.
However, this brought
financial constraints to
farmer which later
acted as a source of
motivation to achieve
better yield and
monetary return from
all available farm
resources including
land area (pond
embankments).
Combination of six carp species in composite culture mode, application of better pond
management practices such as stocking of bigger size seed, maintaining proper water depth,
demand driven rational use of inputs in ponds, use of paddy straw-urea-cowdung
combination to enrich detritus
and other plankton based food
chain, provision of basket
feeding to avoid feed wastage
and water quality monitoring
were adopted. Besides this,
addition of a new commodity
(scampi) and nurseries as buffer
ponds for growing stunted
fingerlings were the activities
undertaken to augment the farm
Fig.5: Growing Arahar crop on the pond dykes
Fig.6: A catch of freshwater prawn in Allahabad
production and productivity. Unwanted terrestrial weeds along with the leaf litter fall of
Arahar plants were used for feeding the grass carps fingerlings/adults.
Except two-three months in April to June when water temperature hovered up to 342
0
C
with declining water depth in presence of high biomass, physicochemical parameters
deteriorated and were managed through filling the pond with freshwater. In rest of months
normal environmental parameters prevailed with higher level of total nitrogen e65mg/100
g of pond bottom soil sediments. However, the increase of nitrogen level may vary from
farm to farm depending upon the intensity of cropping and prevailing soil quality. Regular
dropping and decomposition of pigeon pea leaves and leaching of nitrogen and other
mineralized micronutrients during rainy season from the embankments might be the probable
reasons to add extra nitrogen in the ponds. Although, increase of nitrogen and other nutrients
in well fed fish ponds at advance stages of culture is a normal trend because of high biomass,
more feed application, increased volume of excreta etc. but, in present case after 5-6 months
of culture, a steady increase was more distinct and therefore, compared to normal ponds,
the pond manuring and fertilization doses were lowered in this case.
Integration beneficial to both the crops
The fish pond embankments provided an ideal space for pigeonpea cultivation as it require
upland areas where water retention of the soil should be low during the growing period.
The long and sophisticated deep roots of this crop holds the pond embankments soil firmly
and thus effectively controlled soil erosion, provided stability and strength to embankments
soils. Occurrence of agro-ecological constraints such as flooding and water logging are
important factors resulting to low yield of pigeonpea. The cultivation has been found highly
beneficial both to the pea and fish. Under this integration pigeonpea got an ideal site for
its growth, flowering and fruiting because of minimal water retention. It has been observed
that during extreme winter months, prolongation of foggy condition in this area effect
adversely the growth of Arahar crop, however, under present study the effect was
minimized on crop due to presence of pond water which helped in speedy clogging of
water vapor into water drops. Further, due to upland, direct sunlight helped in good growth
of pigeon pea plants. Irrigating pea with nutrient rich pond water enhanced the growth of
the plants.
At the same time fish pond also got benefited in many ways. Being a leguminous plant it
improved the soil characteristic and fertility and ensured better growth to succeeding crops.
It has been reported that up to 200 kg N ha
-1
could be fixed in soil by long duration pigeon
pea crop and beneficial effect on subsequent crops is equivalent to about 40 kg ha
-1
. In
some countries it is used as green manure. During heavy rains, the soil erosion was
drastically reduced in pigeonpea grown embankments of this fish farm due to deep roots
of plants. Dropping of dried leaves helped in improving pond water and sediment
characteristic. The detached leaves of pigeon pea drops in pond water and gradually start
decomposing. Increase in nitrogen values with natural food development in form of benthic
fauna, detritus, phytoplankton and zooplankton was observed. This was evident by the
rich growth of planktons in pond water. Besides this, each and every part of pigeon pea
plant is used for household activities and has multipurpose utility. The left over woody
part of pigeonpea plants were used as firewood, for fencing, making thatched houses,
baskets, brooms etc and had high demand in rural areas. Moreover in this integration,
during thrashings and making Arhar dal, granulated and powdered byproducts were
used in fish ponds to feed the fish and also used for feeding cattle.
Present integrated approach not only helped in providing multi-products to the market,
but, also got advantage over other fish culture practices in terms of less production cost,
efficient utilization of farm space, shortened the investment return period due to cyclic
harvesting, spreading out the risks of production failure. Because of low land area this
variety was not grown in this area. Cultivation of pigeonpea on the fish pond dykes by the
progressive farmer not only increased the production, productivity and return (69.8%) of
fish farm but also helped in popularizing the cropping system in the area which was
virtually not popular.
Conclusion
This type of beneficial crop diversification in fish farming with cultivation of pulse crops
found greatly helpful to the resource-poor farmers to generate additional income, gainful
employment and improve their dietary standards. The work carried out in this farm brought
positive changes in terms of enhanced fish production, soil water amelioration, firmness
and strength to pond dykes, higher economic benefit with production of vegetarian and
non-vegetarian protein rich diet at local level. Possibilities to further increase the farm
returns through short duration high yielding, pest resistant varieties of pigeonpea could
be explored. The work and output of the farm was successful in generating enthusiasm in
local fish farmers. Present observations have shown the possibility of growing these two
high protein commodities (fish and pulse) beneficial to each other in rural areas particularly
in low land flood prone areas.
Factors responsible for success
Adoption of scientific fish farming with balanced use of inputs.
Seed demand for stocking ponds of the farm was realized through steady seed supply
from own rearing tanks .
Need based multiple stocking and harvesting was adopted.
Maximum utilization of unutilized land area available in the form of embankments
for growing Arhar, which significantly enhanced productivity and production of the
farm.
Ensiled paddy straw-cow dung application in pond corners after decomposition and
mineralization provide rich detritus rich food for detritus feeder and leased essential
micro nutrients for proliferation of microflora(phytoplankton, and bacterioplankton)
which in turn accelerate zooplankton production for filter feeder fishes.
Alternative arrangements were made during summer months for maintaining
optimum water depth by filling water from borewell.
Stocking of stunted yearlings fish attained faster growth during culture period.
Establishing strong linkage with various developmental agencies including CIFA,
CIFRI and state fisheries departments
Major constraints
Water scarcity during summer months. During this period pond water is also used
for irrigation by multiple users particularly from village community ponds further
creating water crisis.
Mixed seed supply with unidentified fish species in the region.
Large sized fish poaching is one of the major problems.
Poor marketing response of fishes fetches lower prices.
Innovations in technology/management
Utilization of pond embankments of the newly constructed ponds for growing pulse
crop (Arahar) in an integrated approach.
Use of paddy straw-urea-cow dung combination to enrich detritus and grazing food
chain in fish pond. Common carps have been diverted towards the decomposing paddy
straw heaps in search of their preferred feed which in turn reduces the damage of
pond dyke caused by Common carp.
Development of different types of ponds to ensure steady carp seed supply.
Unwanted terrestrial weeds along with the leaf litter fall of Arahar plants were used
for feeding the grass carps fingerlings/adults.
Acknowledgement
I express my sincere gratitude to The Director, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
(CIFA), Bhubaneswar for providing guidance and facilities at Allahabad Centre and to
Dr. Ballbir Singh, retired Principal Scientist, CIFRI, Allahabad for his encouragements.
Thanks are due to Shri Indresh Pandey, Progressive farmer, Sirhir, Allahabad for his
dedicated work and support in this study.
Transforming life through community aquaculture:
a case of tribal village in Odisha
Nagesh Kumar Barik
Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar- 751002, Odisha
Introduction
The aquaculture activities in the country have been driven by the innovations at the level
of farmers. The technologies generated by the research institutes are necessary but not
sufficient condition for aquaculture development. The adaptations, refinement of
technology and innovative approach to manage the aquaculture are fundamental for
success of aquaculture around the country. There are innumerable cases of the excellent
adoption and development management systems. The innovations are found in many
areas like technology adaptations, input and output management, business management,
institutional innovations etc. Among them, the institutional innovations are critical but
often least understood. The supply of appropriate institutions in provisioning and
appropriations of aquaculture is particularly important in multi-use and multi-users
situations. In such situations, a considerable effort is required to coordinate the activities
of many individuals to manage the resources meaningfully. The community aquaculture
is a case of such situation where the success is determined by the institutions built around
management of aquaculture. The use of the technology for the community development
through institutional innovations is a significant step in converting the technology into
social welfare. Each case is unique in developing means to coordinate activities of users,
adapt the technology and manage resource. A case of Kodalguri is presented here as a
special case of community based management system in which the aquaculture technology
is used for the collective welfare of the village community. The case is an example of low
level of technology adoption but a higher level of institutional innovation. The paper gives
an opportunity to look at the nuances in developing community based management system
in tribal village in Odisha.
Geography: The Kodalguri village was located in the Khariar block situated at 6 kilomter
from block headquarter and 80 km from Nuapada district headquarter. The Nuapda district
was considered among the poorest district in the state. It fell within the central table land
agroclimatic zone characterised by dry and undulating plateau land. Due to lack of the
irrigation facilities, the region was mostly rainfed and after rainy season the hot and dry
climate was predominant. Geographically the village was part of the Kodaldungri,
Bhaludungri watershed with total watershed area of 1020 ha. In the watershed 182
households were living out of which about 85 households were residing in the Kodaldungri
village. The village had total geographical area of 106.5 ha out of which 92 ha were private
land and as rest 15 ha were government land recognized as forest land. The village was
surrounded by the forest areas and the people in the village had easy access to the nearby
forest. The whole area of the watershed were undulating due to hills and slopping lands.
The village was located in a typical undulating high lands. A high degree of soil and water
runoff over the years had severely affected the productivity of the soil in the village. The
water from the nearby forests flows through the village and in the rainy season a severe
water flow were recorded but after the rain, the village remained dry though out the year.
Therefore, the soil and water erosion and water scarcity were the main problems in the
village.
Sociography: The village was dominated by tribal with 85 house with rest 13 households
belonged to SC and 12 to OBC (milkman) community. The total population of the village
was 435 but most of them were belonging to ST (Majhi) community. Therefore, the village
culture and ethos were strongly influenced by the dominant community. Traditionally,
overall leadership to the village was provided by the Gauntia (chief land lord of the village).
The Gauntia were acted as the landlord as well as intermediate power between king and
the people. During the colonial period the kings were administering the villages through
Gauntia. Therefore, the Gauntia was the most important socio-political institution in the
village. Despite lack of official recognition, the Gauntia still continue to command the
leadership position at the community level. In the Kodaldungri village, the leader named
Sri Lochan Singh Majhi was being recognised as the village leader with family decadence
from Gauntia. Therefore, the village leader played important role in the organisation of
the village. In addition to the leader of the dominant group, the other two groups also had
their community leaders. The three leaders from three communities together constituted
the leadership structure of the village.
Agriculture: As the area was dry and rainfed in nature only 8-10 ha (about 2%) were used
for double crop. Most of the agriculture was based on the kharif paddy crop. Due to rainfed
nature, the kharif crop suffered from low productivity or drought. With the development
of the new water resources only about 30 ha of the land received critical irrigation to save
the crop from drought. But most of the other crops were dependent on the rain for the
survival. Therefore, the village was an example of the drought prone agriculture marred
by low productivity and frequent crop failure.
Resources
Water and aquaculture resources: There were 25 ha of low land, 12 ha of medium and 12
ha of uplands in the village. The village was predominantly forest rich with forest
surrounding two sides of the village. The surrounding areas were undulating and there
were 3 runoff channels that flew the water across the village from forest high lands to the
streams flowing to nearby village. Over a period of time the water resource had been well
developed under various programmes. The Minor Irrigation Department constructed one
Minor Irrigation Project (MIP) named Birighat MIP, Soil Conservation Department created
one Water Harvesting Structure (WHS) and Gauntia constructed two village ponds on his
own land for the community uses. The government has dug two tubewells for drinking
water provisioning. The villagers constructed 150 to 200 square ft and 10-15 ft deep small
farm ponds called Chahala for water storage in the paddy fields. These ponds were being
used as water storage as well as percolation tank for the paddy fields. There were about 6
numbers of Chahala in the village. Only MIP irrigated about 50 acres for critical irrigation
in the Kharif and 4 ha of rabi crop. In Kharif only one irrigation was provided whereas in
rabi irrigation has been provided for 3 times to the paddy crops but in small areas.
Constraints: The major constraint in developing aquaculture in the village was a complete
lack of awareness and information on the potential and opportunities available in the
aquaculture management in these water bodies. The village lacks any antecedent of dealing
with fisheries in any way. Therefore, information flow to the village was a major constraints.
Remoteness in the location of the village created barrier in supply of seed to the village.
The lack of access to the technology was the major reason for non-utilisation of the water
bodies for the aquaculture.
Interventions and innovations
Aquaculture as watershed activities: The village had taken benefits from the initiatives
taken by Department for International Development of Government of United Kingdom
(DFID) sponsored Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLP) during 2000 to 2010.
The whole watershed was treated under the project though creation of water harvesting
structure, check-dams, gully plugging etc. The Sahabhagi Bikas Abhijan (A NGO) was
Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for the watershed development. Under the livelihood
promotion, the villagers were supported for duckery, poulty, goatery, leaf plate making
etc. The creation of the water harvesting structure, check dams and ponds significantly
improved the water availability in the village. Under the watershed programme, the
aquaculture activities were taken up to develop fish farming in the village. The support to
the aquaculture was given in the form of training and inputs like seed, net etc. It is important
to note that the aquaculture was a completely new activity in the village. Even the people
were not traditionally involved with fish catching or any other activities related to fisheries.
FRP hatchery and introduction of aquaculture: The FRP Portable hatchery is an important
technology that has been developed and realised for commercialisation in the year 2005
by Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar. In the year 2006,
the hatchery was established by WORLP at Bilienjore with the technical support from
CIFA. The hatchery along with One Stop Aquaculture Centre (OSA) as institutional
mechanism of one stop solution for inputs and information was operated by Sahavagi
Bikash Abhijan (SVA - an NGO) since 2006. As a part of the programme, the centre was
training and motivating the people to undertake the fish culture activities. Under the
programme many villages were undertaken for the fish culture activities. Under the
WORLP, the village Kodalguri was adopted for fish farming activities. A nursery network
was also developed for nursing the spawn produced from the FRP hatchery. The villagers
of the Kodalguri were linked to the seed producers of the network to access the seed for
stocking in the village aquaculture resources.
Initiatives in fish farming: During 2007-08 the aquaculture was initiated in the village
under WORLP programme. During the year training on aquaculture and fish harvesting
was imparted to the village committees. A netting group (Jal Committee) was constituted,
trained and provided with a dragnet of about 300 ft long and 10 ft wide at a cost of Rs
30,000/-. A total of 14 male members from the village were formed a group to develop the
fish catching as livelihood option. In the same year, SVA has stocked 12000 fry of Indian
Major Carps (IMC) in MIP and 5000 fry in WHS during the month of September. The
villagers harvested the fish in the month of March. The total catch from the two water
bodies was 600 kg. The fishes were sold at about Rs 50/- per kg. The half of the earned
money was kept in with the village committee while the other half was distributed equally
among all the households of the village. A total benefits of about Rs 30,000/- was gained
by the villagers without much investment. This was the beginning of the growing interest
of the villagers in the aquaculture activities.
In 2008-09, the aquaculture activities under the programme were further intensified with
the stocking of 30000 fry and 12000 fingerlings in MIP and WHS by the PIA. Encouraged
by such development, the villagers themselves stocked about 3000 fingerlings in other
available village ponds. Despite the training, the villagers were not confident of investing
in feeding and other measures. They resorted to stocking in all the ponds which were not
stocked earlier but other inputs for aquaculture was not applied. In the year, 2008-09 the
villagers were harvested 13 quintals of the fish from all of these water bodies. From harvest
the total earning was about Rs 80, 000 to the whole village. After deduction of the seed and
harvesting cost, the net income was divided into two parts with one half being distributed
equally to each households while the other kept for next year investment and other village
activities.
From the year 2009-10, the villagers developed the aquaculture on their own without
support from the PIA and other agencies. With the saved money, all the water bodies
available were stocked. The village community about 1 lakh advanced fry at the cost of Rs
20,000. In addition to stocking, the feeding was also initiated in the smaller ponds. In the
larger water bodies feeding with the powdered rice bran was resorted for about two weeks.
The whole of the village community was involved in the watch and ward and monitoring
of the fish culture activities. Even though the adoption of the scientific practices was not
complete, the villagers were able to initiate the aquaculture in a short span of time. In the
year 2009-10, the total aquaculture production was about 40 quintals. The each of the
households were given Rs 1500 in addition to 2 kg of fish. The total income from the fish
culture was found to be about 25% of the total income of the village from agriculture,
livestock and other sources together. At present, the aquaculture constituted a major source
of livelihood of the villagers.
Institutional arrangements: In the recent time, the support and the facilities of the
government had encouraged the villagers to form small self-help-groups (SHGs). In the
village six women SHGs were involved in diverse activities like rice hauling, poultry,
goatery, leaf plate making, etc. In addition, two special purpose village committees for
forest protection and watershed management were created under watershed management
programme to look into the forest and watershed activities, respectively. One group
consisting of 14 members was created for fishing purposes. The six women SHGs were
the core group of the village with the participation of 65 households cutting across all the
caste group. There was an overall coordinating committee represented by leaders of each
caste group under the overall leadership of the chief traditional leader of dominating tribal
group. There were excellent understanding within the coordination committee to regulate
the activities of the all other committees. All the village resources i.e. forest, fisheries etc.
were pooled and shared equally among all SHGs. Each SHGs received equal share while
the SHGs were free to distribute among themselves. The SHG constituted as unit in
contributing and sharing fisheries activities in the village and over which the coordinating
committee acted as overarching leadership stricture in village.
Institutional innovations for collective management: In the perspective of the level of
technology adoption and productivity achievements, the case of Kodaldungri is not to be
considered as success. But, in terms of the institutional innovations in collective
management, the village presents an excellent case of collective management of the
community resources. Among the various aspects of institutions, the property rights are
fundamental in management of natural resources. In the present case, property regimes
of the water resources available were quite diverse and the rights structures were quite
widespread.
The property rights are the fundamental relationship between the resources and the people
who depend on it. A Property right is the exclusive authority to determine how a resource
is used, whether that resource is owned by government, collective bodies, or by individuals.
All economic goods have a property rights attribute. This attribute has four broad
components i.e., the right to use the good; the right to earn income from the good; the right
to transfer the good to others and the right to enforcement of property rights. The property
rights in the water resources and fisheries resources have been highly complex in Indian
context. But, the basic purpose of analyzing the property rights is to delineate the nature
of the relationship between the people and the resources. In general there are four broad
categories of property right regimes i.e state property (Government controlled), private
property (Private controlled), community property (Community controlled) and open
access (No control). There are interchange of right across these categories over a period of
time. A large body of the literature has been developed on the importance of the each
categories of the property rights on the nature of the resource use.
In case of the Kodaldungri, the water resources used for the fisheries purposes were quite
diverse in terms of their property right regimes. The Minor Irrigation Project in the village
(Birighat MIP) was under the control of the Minor Irrigation Department for the water
resources use but the fisheries use has been leased out to village community. In this case,
the villagers were taken on the lease in the name of a Self-Help Group. Similarly, in case
of the Water Harvesting Structure, a watershed group and water users association (WUA)
controlled the water use but the fisheries use has been controlled by the village even though
de jure control lied with the watershed committee. Similarly, Panchayat ponds were brought
under control of the village through the lease to a SHG. More importantly, the two available
private ponds were also brought under the control of the village community through a
lease agreement with the owner. In other words, the diverse property regimes were
communalised and all the available resources were brought under the community
management. These resources were pooled together and all the villagers were involved in
the management of the fisheries.
The greatest challenge in the successful community based management system is problem
of coordination and transaction cost. While the coordination is governed by presence (or
absence) of structure of authority and mechanism to enforce the authority, the institutional
arrangements in the community ensure the sustainability of the community enterprises.
A large body of the literature is available on the conditions in which a particular institutional
arrangement succeeds (or fails) in solving collective action problems. The factor like
uniformity of participants, leadership, level of benefits, history of collective action,
communication and dialogue etc plays critical role in success of a community based
management. In the case of the Kodalguri, the tradition of cooperation, uniformity of
participants, need for the benefits from resources and leadership was quite strong. A well-
established system institutional arrangement and coordination was developed to regulate
the resource management and share the benefit by the community. Therefore, the
institutional innovation was the key in the success of the community based management
in aquaculture.
Results and impact
The impact of the aquaculture development has been quite significant in the village. At
present, the fish consumption has been improved quite considerably as most of the
households are getting fish through free distribution as well as purchase. For the villagers
fish was available at 20% discount price which was quite lower from the market price.
Moreover, due to distance from the nearest urban centre the access to fish for consumption
was low. Therefore, with the improvement in the fish production the household fish
consumption has increased from about 2 kg per capita to 6 kg per capita per year. The net
income to the villagers from aquaculture constituted about 25% of the total income of the
village. A portion of the income was also used for the village functions as well as emergency
funding like medical exigencies. A significant achievement of the progamme was the
development of 14 member fishing group who have made fish harvesting as their livelihood.
Now, they were involved in fishing across many villages as regular activities. The group
has increased its group fund to about Rs 50,000/-. In the village about 10 unemployed
youth had taken up the fish trading activities as regular harvesting activities enables them
to sell fish by bicycle in the rural villages. They were also collecting fishes from other
villages to sustain their livelihoods. Each person traded about 25 to 30 kg fish per day with
a profit of about Rs 300 to 400 rupees. Therefore, transformation has been due to both
direct as well as indirect impact of the fish farming activities. The aquaculture activities
have motivated people to make other allied activities around fisheries as their livelihoods.
Lessons learnt
The present case does not demonstrate the high level of technology adoption and intensive
use of the resources for aquaculture. The village presents a case of very low level of
technology adoption resulting in low level of productivity attainment. But, this level of
achievement has demonstration effect on the vast neighbourhood where the aquaculture
is a new activity. With the low level of the utilisation, the poor people in the villages are
able to gain substantially in nutrition and livelihood security. As high as one fourth of
income in the village is being contributed by the aquaculture can be considered as
paramount in that situation. Moreover, the case is an excellent example of community
mobilisation and institutional innovation in communalising resources and collective
management of it. In the age of privatisation and individual management, the systematic
and transparent system of collective management is an example of the institutional
innovation. The technology is most important in enhancing productivity but institutions
of collective management are fundamental for equity and sustainability in the aquaculture
management in the multiple users' situations.
Table. Summary of the fishery activities of the village

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