Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
***
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.
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.
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.
1
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.
2
Diesel engine to tap ground water PVC pipe for draining out excess water
during rainy season which helps in
maintaining constant level of water
3
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.
4
Raised pond dykes to facilitate better management
5
Maintaining ideal water quality parameters and plankton density with the kits supplied
6
Hanging of feeding bag Bana tree trunks as floating device for feed
broadcasting
7
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.
8
6. Fish farming integrated with other crops:
9
Impact
10
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)
11