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REPORT ON SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF TECHNICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR

APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE FISH FARMING DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN


ASSAM

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Background: In view of the large potential of natural resources for fish farming development
in Assam, NIRD & PR organized 10 training programmes to Assam fish farmers - four training
programmes during 2010-11, five training programmes during 2011-12 and one training-cum-
field-workshop during 2012-13. All nine training programmes (2010-11 & 2011-12) were
organized in East, West and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh providing hands-on experience
on farm-scale application of fish farming practices in the field. Followed by training cum field
workshop (2012-13) organized in Assam to oversee the activities of trained farmers during post
training period and facilitate the farmers to cope up in implementation of practices /
interventions with the local situations. A total of 253 farmers from 15 districts of Assam
participated in the 10 programmes. These programmes were sponsored by SIRD, Assam.

Approach: NIRD&PR initiated action in four steps:

1st step: before organizing the training programmes, agro-climatic scenario of Assam was studied
and need for training inputs was established. This initial study facilitated to know that the
conditions in Assam are different and application of general practices / theories will not be
appropriate as witnessed in studying the impact of different extension programmes at state level
all these years.

2nd step: based on the feedback, suitable


technical (development and
management) interventions which are
specific to the Assam region were
designed and developed a curriculum of
activities which include identifying
suitable resource centers & persons in AP,
training kits, hands-on training, course
material, etc.

3rd step: Conducted exposure cum


training programs on scientific fish
farming to Assam fish farmers in Andhra
Pradesh with definite curriculum based on
the training need and interventions as identified in the above two steps.

4th step: Subsequent to the nine training programes organized in systematic manner, a training
workshop was organized in Assam during 2012-13 to interact with the trained farmers besides
regular contacts with trained farmers. This workshop was organized at field level with visits
made to their farms to know the status of farm scale operation of the NIRD&PR interventions
in Assam conditions by the trained farmers. This step facilitated the farmers to have fine tuning
of the trained knowledge towards practice of various interventions.

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All the above mentioned programmes were successfully conducted with lot of enthusiasm from
farmers and encouragement from Assam Govt and NIRD & PR. During the training
programmes, participants were supplied with training kits for application of different materials
required in fish farming practices. Good feedback was received after each training programme.
The activities taken up during post training period were also equally interesting as many of the
farmers could put the learned knowledge in to practice.

About Visit: In order to understand the practice part of the learned knowledge of trained
farmers, accompanied by Dr Lahon, senior consultant of NFDB, the farming practices in five
districts (Nalbari, Barpeta, nagaon, Moregaon and Darang) were visited during 24 – 29 October
2015.

Apart from various interventions of NIRD&PR, some of them played critical role in establishing
firm roots of fish farming appropriate to the Assam conditions. There is a significant visible
change in structure and practices of fish farming in Assam. Some of the broad aspects are: raised
farm dykes, use of electric motors/ diesel engines for pumping water, tapping ground water,
ponds with full of green water, farmers actively involved in activities such as tying feed bags,
checking feed usage, harvesting and transportation of fish, raising other livestock activities such
as cattle, piggery, goats, ducks, horticulture crop and vegetable cultivation all that looks the
areas are now full of activities which is manifested on the face of farmers with joy and happiness.

NIRD&PR Key Technical (Development and Management) Interventions

1. Maintaining pond water at constant level

Old / Traditional Practice NIRD&PR intervention Result


Since rain water is the chief source In order to contain this problem, The intervention
for fish ponds, the farmers used to NIRD during training programmes has worked well.
collect early rain water in April advocated the farmers to maintain Now the farmers
month and store it up to July constant level water throughout the are comfortable to
every year. By the time, pond crop period. For which the suggestion maintain constant
receives full capacity of water was to keep a PVC pipe above fixed level of water
(Rain water) and rearing of fish water level. For eg. To maintain throughout the fish
starts from stocking of fingerlings. water level of 1.4 mts, farmers were crop period and
Upon availability of fish seed advised to keep a pipe above 1.4 mts successful in
from hatcheries or wild collection level across pond dyke in order to protecting the
sources, the farmer goes for drain out excess water above 1.4 mts productivity of the
stocking of these ponds with during rainy season. pond. As a result
fingerlings of cultivable varieties To make up required level to of that almost all
during July to September. As no compensate evaporation and seepage fish farms are now
scope exit for possibility of rain losses, it was suggested to tap ground witnessed with
usually after October, the water water by using tube well with the PVC pipe above
level gets decreased due to operation of diesel engine or electric water level and
seepage and evaporation losses motor. It was also suggested that if diesel engine or
day by day. As such, crop period this type of facility available, farmers electric motor to
depends on initial filling of rain could able to extend culture period by tap ground water
water and subsequent rate of stocking fish seed early (prior to rainy source. They are
water losses. This causes problem season) and continue crop beyond also successful in
of too much fluctuation of water normal crop period as there is a extending the crop
level resulting in to productivity facility of ground water. period.
loss of ponds.

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Diesel engine to tap ground water PVC pipe for draining out excess water
during rainy season which helps in
maintaining constant level of water

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2. Raising of pond dykes above ground level
Old / Traditional NIRD&PR intervention Result
Practice
The practice of pond NIRD during training programmes Now most of the farms
construction in Assam advocated the farmers to raise dykes in Assam having the
for that matter in any NE above ground level with minimum bunds above the
states is that excavation excavation while explaining the ground level in the case
of total land below benefits of management in fish of old ponds as well as
ground level to the farming. In the case of old fish ponds minimum excavation
extent of water depth already below ground level, it was of soil in the case of
the farmer desires to suggested to raise atleast two feet new fish ponds. The
maintain. Due to this, bund height to facilitate the out flow cost of construction has
fish pond management, of water during rainy season and come down to Rs.1.50
particularly water excess water drain-out as stated in lakh /ha from Rs. 3 to
management happens to the above NIRD&PR intervention. 5 lakh in the case of
be very difficult. Further, Due to this, inundation of ponds new pond
digging of soil below during heavy rains and flood construction.
ground level is laborious seasons could be minimized.
and cost intensive.

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Raised pond dykes to facilitate better management

3. Judicious use of fertilizers to maintain ideal plankton turbidity

Old / Traditional Practice NIRD&PR intervention Result


There was no regulation of In order to contain this As a result of the NIRD& PR
plankton density in fish problem, NIRD&PR intervention, now the
ponds since rain water is the suggested the farmers to use
farmers are able to maintain
source for fish ponds, which sacchi disc transparency ofoptimum level of plankton
may be excess or scanty at 15 to 20 cms and regulate density throughout the crop
different times. Due to this, the water fertilizer dose period and are successful in
farmers could not to accordingly for maintainingprotecting productivity of
confine to fixed fertilizer ideal level of plankton pond. We can witness no
dose in the ponds. As a density in the fish ponds. growth of aquatic weeds
result of that, there were Sacchi discs were also compared to the infestation
times excess plankton or supplied to trainee farmersof aquatic weeds seen in old
sometimes less plankton. and provided training on traditional practice system.
how to use the equipment. The use of grass carp earlier
This condition also to control the weeds
triggered the growth of Due to ideal management biologically does not exist
aquatic weeds which are of plankton density which now which is a clear sign of
unwanted in effective arrests the penetration of avoidance of aquatic weeds.
practice of fish farming. light up to the bottom of
Farmer often used to the pond that was made
complain the problem of possible for discouraging
weeds growth and forced growth of aquatic plants
to go for mechanical and (weeds).
biological way of control.

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Maintaining ideal water quality parameters and plankton density with the kits supplied

4. Regulation of feeding regime

Old / Traditional Practice NIRD&PR intervention Result


One of the farm level To counteract the problem of The scenario is very
problems noticed during feeding regime in fish farming in popular now in Assam
training interactions was Assam, farmers were advised to we can find the feed
that there was no control in use locally available indigenous bags and check trays
using the fish feeds in fish feeds such as mustered oil cake hanging in fish ponds.
farming. Farmers were and rice bran and use them in There are reports of
resorting to regular increase feeding bags as witnessed in reduction in
of feed quantity which is the Andhra Pradesh fish farming. production cost also.
need in general fish farming They were also advocated to Some of the farmers
practices. Due to fluctuation check the feed consumption use the locally
of water level and regularly by operating check available material for
temperature and other trays and to follow feeding rate feed boat construction
reasons, feed usage may not for increasing or decreasing the - some use waste
be increasing with the crop feed quantity after satisfying with thermcole sheets and
period. As such, excess use feed consumption of fishes on some use banana tree
of feeds at many times has previous day. Instead of getting trunks. In view of good
been noticed. into the fish ponds, it was returns, farmers are
suggested to use fish feeding now going for use of
boats as seen in Andhra Pradesh. pelleted feeds.

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Hanging of feeding bag Bana tree trunks as floating device for feed
broadcasting

Feed checking trays to regulate feeding waste thermocole boxes as floating


device

5. Fish farming in tune with seasonal variation of temperature

Old / Traditional Practice NIRD&PR intervention Result


Comparing with climatic This is very critical intervention for This system of grow-
conditions in Indian success of fish farming in Assam. Before out cultivation has
peninsula where fish farming introducing this technical intervention, been very popular
development is flourishing at NIRD&PR studied the different agro- now in Assam except in
very high level, the situations climatic regions / situations well. It was Moregaon dist where
in Assam and other NE states proposed to skip the period of low the conditions are
are different. In spite of rich temperature (Nov to March) for grow- different due to low
water and land resources, NE out cultivation of fish and utilize the lysing and flood
states are better known for ideal temperature periods (April to Oct) affected situations.
flooding with heavy rains for critical growth periods of fish Most of the farmers
resulting into inundation of cultivation. have adopted the
low lying areas for quite long farming practices in
time in a year. Temperature Hence the farmers were advised to take tune to the
is another critical factor up rearing of fry to fingerling size fish temperature conditions
which limits the thriving of during the low temperature period and as advocated by
fish farming in this region. grow-out fish cultivation during ideal NIRD&PR. The farmers
temperature period. The fish seed are able to realize good
About five months (Nov to produced from fish hatcheries in July to returns with
March), the temperatures are Sept could be stocked in small nursery production increase to

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low with peak low levels of ponds or main pond with high stocking 4,000 kg per ha from a
December and January density. This rearing period is to be crop (summer crop)
months. This causes severe continued till the end of winter season and additional crop of
problem to metabolic i.e March. During the rearing period, the seed rearing 1,000 to
activity of aquatic organisms growth of fish is very low but good 1,500 kg (winter crop).
resulting in to slow growth survival rate possible due to ideal Due to good market
rate. It is, in this situation, conditions maintained. By this time, the size of fish, farmers are
Assam fish farmers undertake fish seed is aged about 6 to 8 months old able to get better price
cultivation of fish by with size of 50 to 60 gms. These from Rs 100 / kg to Rs
collecting rain water during harvested fish fingerlings are re-stocked 200 / kg. In addition to
April to June and stocking of in grow-out ponds with less stocking reaping the better
fish seeds (fry) during July to density of 5,000 to 6,000 per hectare crop, the farmers are
September with the for grow-out cultivation of 7 months stocking more number
availability of fish seed from from April to October. Within 7 months and resorting to
hatcheries during the period, the fish grows to a size of one kg multiple harvesting for
breeding season. due to proximity to good pond better utilization of
As such fish farming was conditions and intensified feeding pond biomass capacity.
passing through low regime.
temperature period (five This type of management can facilitate
months) with poor growth to utilize the ideal temperature periods
rate of fish during total crop and also reduce the wastage of feed
period of eight months (July used, ensuring better feed conversion
to February). ratio.

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6. Fish farming integrated with other crops:

Old / Traditional NIRD&PR intervention Result


Practice
Since the fish ponds are This was the suggestion made by Most of the fish farms
below ground level NIRD&PR primarily to encourage the have one or more units
and farmers are facing farmers to go for raising dykes above of other livestock and
difficulties in raising fish ground level as suggested in the above horticulture activities.
crop in sustainable interventions. The additional investment This provides
manner, there was no makes additional income by way of other additional income to
much exposure on crops besides sustenance of fish crop. fish farmers and also
other livelihood Integrating with some of other livelihood serve the purpose of
activities that could be activities such as vegetable cultivation, developing organic
taken up along with poultry, cattle, ducks and goats rearing, manure within the
fish farming piggery, etc. were suggested. NIRD&PR farm.
explored the possibility of integration as Some farmers are
the land holding are small and Assam channeling unlimited
farmers prefer to invest their own energy quantity of pig waste
in farm activity. Rearing livestock on pond directly into fish ponds
bunds would serve the purpose of which is not advisable.
fertilization with animal excreta as the fish
farming practices suggested in the above
interventions needs use of more organic
manures.

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Impact

 In the past, Assam was importing Andhra fish at


the rate of 12 – 15 truckloads every day. In view
of huge production generated within Assam
state, now the imports are restricted to 2 – 3
truckloads per day. A quite good quantity of
locally produced fish is also going to other
neighboring states.
 Almost all farmers trained by NIRD&PR are now
economically strong by securing properties such
as good houses, bikes, additional lands, taking
land and ponds on lease, etc
 Some farmers have achieved the status of gram
sarpanches and also securing positions of public
representatives
 The lifestyles of farmers have been changed
significantly. They started raising demands and
building their own needs. Some started fish
hatcheries on their own.
 There is horizontal transmission of technical
knowledge from farmer to farmer.
 The financial support under schemes operational
by AACP and state govt (RKVY, ATMA, etc) are
taking care of further expansion of the farming
area and development of fresh water fish
farming in general.

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New Challenges

 Some farmers who are greedy started implementing aggressive/ intensive farming
techniques which may result in to some diseases and other uncontrollable situations
 Uncontrolled and unchecked pig waste going into fish pond which may cause pollution
in the ponds
 Some traders at Nagaon started supplying inferior quality mustard oil cake on exorbitant
rates
 For the type of fish farming targeting fish production of 5,000 per ha does not require
sophisticated fish feeds. They can use rice bran and oil cake combination prepared at
farmer level.
 Some farmers which are not well educated are getting cheated by some for supply of
pelleted feed at Rs 43/- per kg which costs Rs 20 – 24 per kg normally. Due to realization
of good returns, farmers are prepared to pay extra as they are unaware of these things.
 Some traders sell sinking pellets (to be used as prawn cultivation) which is not the feed
of fish. Fish feed require floating pellets.
 There is competition among farmers which resulting into hiding of information on
market price and technical aspects.

G Venkata Raju
Associate Professor,
CPME (NIRD&PR)

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