World Fisheries Day

NOVEMBER 2020 IISOSO 9001:20089001:2008 OrganizationOrganization

Special issue on World Fisheries Day

http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal Glimpses of women in fish marketing

Arnala Fish Market Maharashtra

Frazergunz West Bengal

Mangalore Fishing Harbour, Leh Ladakh Karnataka IS/ISO 9001:2008 Organization

Volume 70, No. 11 NOVEMBER 2020

In This Issue

Guest Editorial 2 Messages 3-4 Expanding studies on enclosure culture (Cage & Pen) with special focus on fish 5 species diversification in India B K Das and U K Sarkar Canals in Indian Sundarbans: Opportunities towards livelihood improvement 10 through fisheries intervention P Gogoi, P K Parida, A Sinha, T Tayung, V R Suresh and B K Das Cover I : ’Happy Fisher’ - A fish farmer Closed sub-surface drainage to ameliorate water logging and salinity in a 14 from Bangaigoan, Asom canal command area – A success story Cover IV : ‘Big Catch’ - A fisherwomen Tushar Umedbhai Patel from Mangalore, Karnataka Impact of Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) on small-scale fish farmers and 18 Photo Courtesy : Dr Pravin Puthra its management Cover I-IV ADG (Marine Fy) P K Pradhan, Anutosh Paria, Gaurav Rathore and Neeraj Sood Rainbow trout fish farming in upland hilly regions – A game changer for the 20 ADVISORY BOARD small farmers Vinod Kumar Bist and Mitali Ghosh Roy Chairman : Dr A K Singh Fisheries enhancement through stocking of fingerlings in Indian reservoirs for 23 Members doubling fisher’s income and livelihood security: Success stories U. K. Sarkar, Lianthuamluaia, Mishal P and Suman Kumari • Dr J S Chauhan • Dr Sanjeev Saxena Hatchery and Broodstock Management to produce quality seed in carps 27 • Dr S K Dhyani • Dr Jyoti Misri Kanta Das Mahapatra, Khuntia Murmu and Avinash Rasal • Dr T P Rajendaran • Dr Ashwani Kumar Doubling Farmers’ Income through Carp Seed Rearing 31 Himansu Kumar De, Manoj Kumar Das and Kalyan Sundar Das • Dr Pitam Chandra • Dr Ravinder Kaur Ornamental aquaculture: An alternative avenue for livelihood support 35 Project Director : Dr Satendra Kumar Saroj K.Swain, Sunil S Ail and M K Bairwa Seafood value addition: Current trends and future prospects 39 DKMA Singh Parvathy U, Binsi P K, Ashok Kumar K and Ravishankar C N In-charge (EEU) : Ravindra Verma Seaweed farming in India: Progress and Prospects 41 Associates : Yaoreiphy Horam Johnson, B and Boby Ignatius Vivek Chauhan Wetlands are important carbon sink in the context of global warming and 46 Urvashi Tomar climate change Subir Kumar Nag, Bandana Das Ghosh and U K Sarkar In-charge (PU) : Punit Bhasin Coldwater fish farming in Indian Himalayan region: Challenges and opportunities 49 CTO (Production) : K B Gupta Debajit Sarma and Suresh Chandra Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to bring “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” in 54 For editorial queries contact fisheries and aquaculture Ravindra Verma Rajeev Ranjan Editor (Indian Farming) ICAR-DKMA Responsible fishing and sustainability 57 011-2584 1004 Leela Edwin and Saly N Thomas e-mail: [email protected]

For Subscription and Advertisement Disclaimer contact: • All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. S K Joshi • The Council does not assume any responsibility for opinions offered by the authors in Business Manager, DKMA, ICAR the articles and no material in any form can be reproduced without permission of the Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan I, Pusa Council. New Delhi 110 012 • The Council is not responsible for any delay, whatsoever, in publication/delivery of the Telefax: 011-2584 3657 periodicals to the subscribers due to unforeseen circumstances or postal delay. e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] • Readers are recommended to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement Subscription appearing in this publication. • The Council does not vouch for any claims made by the authors, advertisers of products Single Copy : ``` 30 and service. Annual : ``` 300 (inland) • The publisher and the editor of the publication shall not be held liable for any $ 50 : US (overseas) consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. G uest Editorial

Fisheries Sector in India

ith a total fish production of 13.76 million tonnes at present, the fisheries sector in India has been Wregistering an impressive annual growth rate of 6-7% during the last four decades. The phenomenal eighteen-folds growth in production in the last 70 years has been largely due to the significant increase in production in aquaculture, especially from the freshwater aquaculture sector. Such growth in fish production not only has been able to meet the increasing domestic demand but has also contributed significantly towards export earnings of over ` 47,000 crores from fish and fishery products. The growth in coastal shrimp farming with a production of about 0.7 million tonnes has largely contributed to such export growth. The freshwater aquaculture, largely contributed by Indian major carps, has been the major contributor of domestic demand. Aquaculture in recent years also has seen great thrust in species and system diversification in all systems, i.e. freshwater, brackishwater and open-sea. Considering the available resource potential of the country, technological advancements made over the years and the increased thrust of the Government in recent years, the sector projects accelerated growth performance also in the coming years. Recent years have witnessed increasing adoption of different scientific aquaculture technologies, not only targeting higher production but also for the production of diversified finfish fish and shellfish species having higher market demand. Technologies have been developed for breeding and seed production of more than 60 commercially-important finfish and shellfish species, thereby providing greater choice to the farmers for adoption of the technologies. To have an assured supply of quality seed for aquaculture development, greater focus is also given on breed improvement of important cultivable species, and in this aspect, the development made through selective breeding is worth mentioning. Since feed forms the main input cost of fish farming, there has been a greater focus on the development of several feed formulations for different finfish and shellfish species. Considering the fact that aquaculture in recent years has witnessed the increasing threat of different diseases, it is expected that the research institutes give greater attention to fish health management. In this endevour the execution of a massive programme on fish disease surveillance with the financial support of the National Fisheries Development Board, Government of India is quite significant in the management of fish diseases in the country. The successful demonstration of cage culture technology of seabass, cobia, pompano and groupers in open- sea has opened-up enormous scope for utilization of vast coastal resources for the production of high-value species. Similarly, the adoption of large-scale cage aquaculture in medium and large reservoirs needs special attention. Besides conventional pond-based farming, there has been increasing interest in the adoption of new technologies like re-circulatory aquaculture systems for high-value species, biofloc technology, etc., which provide increasing scope for entrepreneurship development. In capture fisheries too, strategies are being made for the harvesting of the potential deep-sea resources and in this context, the development of new fuel-efficient crafts and appropriate gear designs by Indian research institutes is of high relevance. Greater attention is also given to resource-specific stock enhancement programmes in reservoirs for the effective utilization of the vast resources of over 3.0 million ha. At a time, when the sector was looking to maintain the growth pace in the fish production to meet the increasing demand of both domestic and export fronts, the initiation of Pradhan Mantri Matshya Sampada Yojana of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has been like a dream coming true. Further, with the greater convergence seen between the research institutes under the Indian Council of Agriculture Research and different programmes of the Governments, it is expected that the aspiration of the sector and also associated stakeholders would be met in coming years.

(Dr J.K. Jena) Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-II Pusa, New Delhi 110 012, India

Indian Farming November 2020 3 Hkkjr ljdkj Ñf"k vuqla/ku vkSj f'k{kk foHkkx ,oa Hkkjrh; Ñf"k vuqla/ku ifj"kn Ñf"k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=kky;] Ñf"k Hkou] ubZ fnYyh 110 001 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA f=kykspu egkik=k] ih,p-Mh- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION lfpo ,oa egkfuns'kd AND INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TRILOCHAN MOHAPATRA, Ph.D. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE SECRETARY & DIRECTOR GENERAL KRISHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI 110 001 Tel : 23382629; 23386711 Fax: 91-11-23384773 E-mail: [email protected]

MESSAGE

Indian fisheries sector represents an economically important and fast-growing production sector contributing significantly to the national economy. This sector is mainly contributing in terms of food, nutrition, socio-economic development and providing livelihood to a large section of the country. India is the second largest aquaculture producing country and among the top exporting nations of the world. The country has immense potential to harness the fishery resources sustainably to increase fish production and productivity to cater to the ever-increasing demand for fish protein in the country and the world. The fisheries research institutes in the country need to take up the challenge to usher the blue revolution in the country, and increase the income of the fisheries sector through sound management and sustainable development of the resources.

I am extremely happy that the Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is publishing a Special Issue on Fisheries and Aquaculture in the magazine Indian Farming on the occasion of World Fisheries Day celebrated globally on 21 November 2020. Wide range of articles on fisheries and aquaculture have been covered in this special issue. This would be an excellent source for knowledge sharing to different stakeholders for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country.

I compliment the officials involved in the preparation of this special publication and convey my best wishes to all on the occasion of World Fisheries Day.

(T. MOHAPATRA) 17 November 2020 New Delhi

Indian Farming 4 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 05–09; November 2020 Success Story

Expanding studies on enclosure culture (Cage & Pen) with special focus on fish species diversification in India

B K Das1* and U K Sarkar2 ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, West Bengal 700 120

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore is the pioneer for the development of technology for both fingerlings raising and table fish production. Technologies developed by ICAR-CIFRI have been applied and extended successfully in many reservoirs in different parts of the country. The present article highlights the advances of enclosure culture and discusses species diversification, potentials, issues, challenges and way forward for sustainable fisheries enhancement and employment generation from reservoirs and floodplain wetland resources.

Keywords: Cage farming, ICAR-CIFRI, Loktak lake, Pen culture

ISHERIES is a sunrise sector among fishers and entrepreneurs to In recent years, enclosure fish Fwhich provides livelihood to enhance their earnings. Inland water farming in reservoirs either for millions of fishers and fish farmers in bodies especially reservoirs due to stocking materials or for the India. This sector has immense its vast resources have immense production of table size fish has potential to double the fishers and fish potential for cage culture of fast attracted the attention of researchers, farmers’ incomes and the fish growing and highly prized freshwater developmental agencies, production has reached an all-time fishes. entrepreneurs and policymakers high of 137.58 lakh MT during 2018- across the nation. The growth of cage 19. The inland open water fisheries Status and potential fish farming in reservoirs has gained resources especially reservoirs (>3.51 In India, out of 3.5 million ha further momentum during 2010-12 million ha) and wetlands (0.5 million water coverage under reservoirs, with financial support from National ha) have immense potential to 2,157,318 ha are under the purview Fisheries Development Board produce more fish by bridging the gap of a medium and large category of (NFDB), Government of India, between present production and reservoirs. Already there are 20,000 NMPS etc. In 2011, CIFRI ventured potential. The fisheries management cages in Indian reservoirs of 20 States into raising table-fish of economically through different approaches like the producing approximately 50,000 MT important species through cage adoption of stock enhancement, of fish. Commercial scale cage culture culture by installing cage facilities Culture Based Fisheries (CBF) and in India at present is mainly restricted with durable galvanized iron frames enclosure culture techniques like cage to Pangas and GIFT Tilapia and an in Maithon Reservoir, Jharkhand farming and pen farming are gaining average production of 2-3 MT/cage is (Figs 1 & 2). This paved the way for momentum and importance, as they achieved. By using a mere 0.1% of the adoption and popularization of have proven to create more fish and the total area under large and this technology in several reservoirs thereby income and employment for medium reservoirs, 2,157 ha will be belonging to more than 20 States in the growing human resource of the available to be covered under cage ‘Mission Mode’ through various country. Enclosure culture brings in culture. There will be 400 cages to be schemes and programmes. new opportunities and avenues for accommodated in 1 ha area at a size Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya optimizing fish production from group of 6×4 or 5×5 m2 and thus, a Pradesh, Maharashtra have widely the reservoirs and other inland open total of 8.62 lakhs cages could be adopted this technology and scaling waters, and developing new skills installed in these bodies. up is in progress in many states.

Indian Farming November 2020 5 Fig. 1. Haul of Bata and Singhi harvested from cages at Maithon reservoir, India

Potential candidate species However, cage culture of more species on three sides by means of bamboo The selection of species for cage drawn from the indigenous species or net fencing or a combination of culture shall be customized based on pool needs to be encouraged. both, with the fourth side being market demand and market value, Considering the consistent demand contiguous with shoreline. In case of hardy and tolerant nature of the for species of high economic and unproductive floodplain wetlands, species, and acceptance to external nutritive value, and the regional where external fertilization is not sources of food under confined preference for some species, the feasible; cage and pen culture are conditions. It is preferable to culture following indigenous species need to perfect management options, wherein species with high market value as the be inducted into the cage culture an area can be demarcated for cage culture venture is capital and domain subjected to seed availability: enclosure culture. It is best suited for operational cost-intensive. The Labeo bata, L. rohita (Jayanti rohu), weed choked and productive species selected should also be hardy Osteobrama belangeri (Pengba), wetlands as it help to overcome the and tolerant of confined, crowded Systomus sarana, Ompok bimaculatus issue of gear restriction and conditions and to the rigors of (Pabda), Heteropneustes fossilis, Etroplus catchability. Table size fish production handling during net changes, net suratensis, Macrobrachium sp. etc. through pen farming could be a cleaning, fish transfers etc. Since the Apart from Pangasianodon viable option for conflict reservoirs are mostly oligotrophic and hypophthalmus and GIFT tilapia, no management for fisheries fishes are stocked at higher densities, other exotic species (including illegally development. In States deficient in the external source of feed is a introduced fishes) are strictly stocking material (>10cm) suitable necessity and identified fish must be prohibited for cage culture in inland for open waters, seed raising in pens able to accept external sources of feed open waters. and subsequent stocking will enhance for higher growth and survival. the fish production. Thus useful in Economically viable cage culture of Pen culture meeting seed requirement for culture- Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is Pens are areas along the periphery based fisheries which in turn increase practiced in reservoirs of the country. of water bodies, enclosed generally the fish yield.

Fig. 2. Haul of Jayanti rohu and Prawn harvested from cages at Palair reservoir, Telangana

Indian Farming 6 November 2020 Pen culture in Loktak lake, Manipur: Success story Fifty fishers residing in the vicinity of Loktak lake undertook pen culture by taking an area of 0.5 ha each under lease from the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Manipur with an annual lease value of ` 5,000 per year. Advanced fingerlings were stocked @ 5-7 nos.m-2 constituting grass carp (60-70%) and IMCs (30-40%). Locally available aquatic weeds were fed to fishes. Fish production from an individual pen was in the range of 3,000-4,000 kg/ha in one year. The mean monthly income after the adoption of the technology (` 9,250) was significantly higher than that before adoption (` 6,183). The adoption of pen culture resulted in an increase of 49.6% in the mean monthly income of the fishers and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) ranged from 1.54-1.87.

Successful demonstration of climate adaptive capacity of wetland fishers Ompok bimaculatus, Laebo bata, L. resilient pen system (CRPS) and their income. gonius, Barbonymus gonionotus, Although a number of fish species Systomus sarana in different agro- have been documented in various Recent developments climatic zones were evaluated and wetlands, their potential for inclusion ICAR-CIFRI has developed and standardized their stocking density in enclosure culture has not been refined a number of technologies and for production in cages. evaluated except for IMC and a few management strategies for inland minor carps. Recent trials have open water fisheries development CIFRI Pen HDPE revealed the potential for during the last seven decades. Developed and commercialised diversification from the indigenous Recently, the institute has CIFRI Pen HDPE (one unit: 0.1 ha) fish pool. Besides pen culture with commercialized CIFRI GI cage, which can hold fish and prawn as indigenous fish, there are other CIFRI HDPE Pen and Cage Grow captive stock in open waters either potential shellfish suitable for pen Feed (low cost). for producing table size fish or for culture. The black clam, Villorita raising stocking material cyprinoides was successfully reared in CIFRI GI Cage (fingerlings). It is a fixed enclosure climate resilient pen systems installed Standardized the cage culture with sides of HDPE netting in which in Vembanad lake, Kerala and technology of Pangasianodon the bottom is in the bed of the water production of more than 2 MT was hypophthalmus in reservoirs and an body (Fig. 4). Seed production or achieved through community average production of 2-3 MT/GI table fish production through pen participation. Studies using local cage of 5m×5m×4m has been culture can help overcome threats and indigenous fish species such as achieved in different states (Fig. 3). risks associated with open water fish Amblypharyngodon mola, Systomus Commercialised CIFRI GI CAGE production to a great extent. Seed sarana, Mystus tengra, Ompok can be used for both fish seed raising production through pen culture could bimaculatus, Gudusia chapra and and table fish production. Owing to be befitting counterparts for stocking Labeo bata were also undertaken in immediate need for diversification for enhancement technology by ensuring pens installed in wetlands of Assam increased adaptability and timely availability of seeds of required and West Bengal. The adoption of profitability, the feasibility of several species, number and size. The HDPE these systems can help to restore the commercially important indigenous made pen has been tested in several vulnerable species and increase the fish species viz. Labeo rohita (Jayanti), multi-location trials with Indian

Fig. 3. CIFRI Cage Farm at Maithon reservoir, Jharkhand

Indian Farming November 2020 7 Fig. 4. CIFRI HDPE Pen installed in a floodplain wetland, West Bengal

Major Carps, minor carps and cage culture, studies were carried g in 120 days. Growth minnows. The CIFRI pen culture out by the Institute on the performance of stunted technology has been adopted by the feasibility of several commercially fingerlings of Pangasianodon States of West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar important indigenous fish species hypophthalmus revealed a stocking Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and developed their production density of 45/m3 for optimum for Meghalaya, Odisha and Kerala in technology in GI cages installed growth in Maithon reservoir, wetlands and reservoirs for fish seed in reservoirs and wetlands (Table Jharkhand. raising and table fish production. 1). Stunted fingerlings of Pabda Advance fingerlings of L. rohita were reared at Maithon reservoir (Jayanti) stocked in Salia dam, New initiatives on species and an average size of 50-62 g Odisha exhibited significantly high diversification in inland open water was achieved in seven growth at a stocking density of 10/ fisheries months. The L. bata stocked at m3. Advanced fingerlings of Owing to the immediate need the rate of 30/m3 in GI cages in Systomus sarana achieved an average for diversification for increased at Maithon reservoir, Jharkhand weight of 150 g in 90 days. adaptability and profitability of attained an average weight of 52 Incorporation of a 10% level of

Table 1. Diversified fish species cultured in cages in different reservoirs by ICAR-CIFRI Species Reservoir Achievement/findings Labeo bata Maithon reservoir, Jharkhand Attained average weight of 52 g in 120 days. Labeo rohita (Jayanti) Salia reservoir, Odisha Significantly high growth achieved at stocking density Palair reservoir, Telangana of 10/m3. Achieved an average size of 1-1.2 kg in 10 months. Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Maithon reservoir, Jharkhand Stocking density of 45/m3 found to be optimum for growth. Gobindsagar and Pong reservoir, An average production of 1.9 MT/cage was achieved Himachal Pradesh in Pong reservoir. A total of 102.85 tonnes of fish Palair reservoir, Telangana was harvested from 48 cages. Produced a total of 75.9 MT of Pangas and generated a revenue of 59 lakhs. Ompok bimaculatus Maithon reservoir, Jharkhand An average size of 50-62 g was achieved in seven months. Systomus sarana Salia reservoir, Odisha Achieved an average weight of 150 g in 90 days. Labeo gonius Samaguribeel, Assam Stocking density of 40 fingerlings/m3 was found to be optimum for growth. Macrobrachium rosenbergii Palair reservoir, Telangana Achieved an average size of above 32 g in 6 months.

Indian Farming 8 November 2020 herbivore fish (rohu) was found to viable with a benefit-cost ratio of production from reservoirs and effectively control the biofouling 1.37. wetlands through various schemes organism growth in the commercial and programmes under the ambitious grow out P. hypophthalmus cage Issues PMSSY. The diversification of fish farming. Stocking density of 40 The appropriate adoption of species is very crucial in maximising fingerlings/m3 and 30/m3 was enclosure culture technology offers the profit from inland fisheries and standardized as optimum for the enormous scope for enhancement of also for better adoption of production of table-sized L. gonius fish production. There are several key technology. Hence, the inclusion of and L. bata in cages in the beels of issues to be addressed such as species potential value added species from Assam. diversification, seed production of the indigenous pool may be Successfully demonstrated in situ diverse species, development of low- encouraged with technological fish seed raising and table fish cost environment friendly feed, backstopping from ICAR institutes. production of P. hypophthalmus, L. development of a package of The involvement and linking of rohita, L. rohita (Jayanti variety), practices, estimation of carrying FPO’s in promoting inland fisheries Labeo catla and Macrobrachium capacity, the environmental impact of and exploring opportunities for the rosenbergii in 64 numbers of GI cage culture etc. for ensuring the value chain will open up new model cage installed in Palair sustainability of enclosure culture in avenues. Ensuring quality seed reservoir. A total of 106 MT of fish inland open waters. Diversification of availability, development of suitable was harvested from cages and fish species based on regional feed and dissemination of package of generated a revenue of 96 lakhs preference, nutritional value and local practices coupled with capacity benefitting 40 fishers. acceptability will ensure the building, fund flow will ensure better Demonstration of pen culture in popularization and profitability of adoption of open water inland Takmu pat (a part of Loktak lake), culture practices. fisheries to meet the increasing located at Bishnupur district, demand for quality fish and thereby Manipur in collaboration with the Conclusion better income, nutritional security Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Inland open waters are potential and employment generation. Manipur yielded good growth resources that are ideal for performance of the fish Osteobrama augmenting production through the 1Director, 2Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, belengeri showing technological adoption of refined technologies viz. West Bengal. *Corresponding author’s e-mail: feasibility. The pen culture system cage and pen culture. The Govt. of [email protected] was found to be economically India has prioritized increasing fish 

Indian Farming November 2020 9 Indian Farming 70(11): 10–13; November 2020

Canals in Indian Sundarbans: Opportunities towards livelihood improvement through fisheries intervention

P Gogoi1, P K Parida1, A Sinha2, T Tayung1, V R Suresh3 and B K Das4* ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 120

Canals in Indian Sundarbans are still underutilized in terms of sustainable fish production. Erection of barriers in these canals is a common practice for catching fishes. This may lead to intensive fishing of innate fishes and also barring natural recruitment into the canal. To rejuvenate and augment fish productions from canals, a degree of management is required for these resources. ICAR-CIFRI has initiated the staggered stocking of IMC in six freshwater canals of Sundarbans. It was reported that the practice of simple release of Indian Major Carps (IMC) in these canals produced 800 kg/ha/year of table sized fish without supplementary feeding. Similarly, in net partitions the maximum size recorded for catla, rohu and mrigal was 1.2, 1.0 and 0.80 kg respectively after six months of culture period. Stock enhancement in canals may be one of the noble options for sustainable fish production as well as support of the livelihood of rural poor fishers in Sundarbans. Attention has to be given to this pre-existing habitat to save water needed for farming and conservation of sustainable fish production.

Keywords: Canal, Fisheries, Sundarbans

ANALS are the second most World scenario on canal fisheries and Nile tilapia in irrigation canals Cimportant (26%) source of Literatures revealed that various used for vegetable crops has been irrigation covering 17.0 million ha in countries are producing fish from successful. In Myanmar, the rearing India. Major States under canal irrigations canals. It is estimated that of snakeheads and climbing perch in irrigation are Andhra Pradesh, almost 16% of the freshwater fishery irrigation channels is practicing by Assam, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, production comes from Nile and its Chan myaung (irrigation canal, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, irrigation canals in Egypt. while in locally known as) owners in Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Sudan, the fish biomass in minor Uttar Pradesh. The plains of North canals of Geizira irrigation system is Table 1. Canal resources in South 24 India are canal irrigated including on an average 660 kg/ha/year. The Paragans district some parts of peninsular India where practice of simple release of species Name of block Area in acres two types of canal exist viz., Oreochromis spp., Channa striata and inundation canals and perennial Puntius gonionotus into irrigation Sagar 59 canals. In inundation canals, water is canals resulted in reproduction of 350 Patharpratima 287.87 Kakdwip 35.83 taken from large rivers when water kg/ha/year without supplementary Namkhana 16.39 level is high enough, especially feeding in Thailand. It is reported Mathurapur I 9.40 during monsoon. On the other hand, that channelization or irrigation Mathurapur II 215.46 perennial canals are connected with canals exhibit lower species diversity Kultali 112.39 dams and barrages for providing than nearby static water bodies which Joynagar 214.69 water round the year for irrigation. is influenced by temperature and low Canning I 20.55 The total length of the canal in India primary producers. Fish biomass is Canning II 7.0 is 1,26,334 km which can support 31% lower compared to an Basanti 161.05 various levels of fish productions unchannelized stream and that Gosaba 1,055.99 practices at a time, these are hitherto reduced 78% in macro-invertebrate Bhangore II 15.20 not scientifically utilized for biomass. In Thailand, extensive Kulpi 30.05 fisheries. culture of bighead carp, grass carp Source: Adapted from Mukharjee (2016).

Indian Farming 10 November 2020 Ayeyarwady Delta, assistance provided Table 2. Total Inland water resource and area under culture of West Bengal by the World Fish. Resources Area Area under culture (in lakh ha) (in lakh ha) Canal resources in Sundarbans Open water systems Indian Sundarbans, an important Rivers 1.64 - mangrove chunk in the world and an Canals 0.80 - extremely fragile ecosystem inhabits Reservoirs 0.28 0.13 considerable amount of threatened Estuaries 1.50 - and vulnerable fish species. An area Enclosed water bodies of 4,200 sq km of reserve forest Tanks and ponds 2.88 2.61 located in India is a tide dominated Floodplain lakes/ derelict water bodies 0.42 - low lying coastal wetland. The area Beels and Boar 0.42 0.21 Sewage fed fisheries 0.04 0.04 experiences annual rainfall between Brackish water fishery 0.60 0.59 1,600-1,800 mm and severe cyclonic storms. The biodiversity of Source: Adapted from Mahapatra et al. (2015) Sundarbans includes numerous species of phytoplankton, excavated for freshwater by erection/ trophic status of canal habitat, biotic zooplankton, micro-organisms, setting up of sluice gate in the community structure and benthic invertebrates, mollusks, connecting channel of the parent hydrographical characters are lacking. amphibians and mammals. It has river. Human settlements are Hence, ICAR-CIFRI initiated the been inscribed as a World heritage prominent in both the banks of these investigation on trophic status of site by International Union for canals in Indian Sundarbans. canal habitat, biotic community Conservation and Nature (1987) and Industrialization and consequent structure on three canals; Bhetkimari included as Biosphere Reserved urbanization in this era has brought (21°44’29.7"N 88°15’06.7"E) and under United Nations Educational, environmental degradation and stress Bherua canal, (21°36’38.0" N Scientific and Cultural Organization on coastal ecosystems of India, which 88°15’21.1"E) in Namkhana and (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere adversely impact their inherent biota, Bishalakhi canal (21°46’47.3"N (MAB) programme list (2001). physico-chemical profile of water and 88°05’30.6"E) in Sagar Island of Recently, in February 2019, the productivity. Sundarbans is not an Indian Sundarbans. Indian Sundarbans have also been exception from these anthropogenic designated as ‘Wetland of pressures thereof. Large numbers of Physico-chemical properties of soil and International Importance’. Indian canals in Indian Sundarbans are fed water in selected canals of Sundarbans Sundarbans are rich in canal systems by the tidal water through The preliminary investigations of which covers an area 907.33 ha connecting channels (Fig. 1). ICAR-CIFRI in selected canals (Table 1&2) and exist highest at Naturally, fish enter into these canals (Namkhana and Sagar Island) of Gosaba block (427.34 ha). The and some fish species form natural Sundarbans revealed that canals are natural forms of these resources are populations. Yet, information on generally experienced with 8-10 feet

Fig. 1. A typical view of a canal in Sundarbans

Indian Farming November 2020 11 depth during peak monsoon season (Fig. 2). Salinity is one of the important criteria in these canals where it fluctuates from 0.02 ‰ (monsoon season) to 18.76 ‰ (pre- monsoon season). The salinity levels are highest during pre-monsoon due to high rate of evaporation and lowest during monsoon season owing to high precipitation. Concurrently, low level of tidal influx is also a cause of increased salinity in some of the canals in Sundarbans. It is imperative to mention that the freshwater dominated canals are reaching maximum salinity up to 6.0% during pre-monsoon season (e.g. Bherua canal, Shivpur) which may be Fig. 2. Field visit of trainees/ fishers to ICAR-CIFRI experimental site, Bherua Canal, Shivpur favorable for carp culture practice. Water temperature of the investigated community indicates the productivity eggs > Cladocera> Ostracoda in the canals ranged from 25.8-34.2°C of water body. Phytoplankton stated order. Richness and Shannon- round the year. Water pH found to population, the biological wealth of Weiner diversity index with a be neutral to alkaline (7.60-8.35) an aquatic ecosystem, responsible for calculated value >2.95 in the studied with optimum range of dissolved wide assemblage of biotic community canals indicated moderately rich oxygen (5.7- 6.23 mg/l) which is the and regulate the food web. phytoplankton diversity in the most critical limiting factor for Zooplankton, being the primary systems. Similarly, Pielou’s evenness normal growth and survivability of consumer in food chain, plays an index also calculated with a mean fishes. Total alkalinity (107-188 important role in transfer of energy value 0.88 showed the evenly spatial mg/l) indicated productive nature of to the higher trophic level. distributions of phytoplankton in the the canals. Water transparency Zooplankton is also fed upon by studied canals. (Secchi disc) in the canals recorded many juvenile and adult Periphyton is the heterogeneous lowest during monsoon (28.8 cm) zooplanktivorous fish species and group of community assemblage that and highest during pre-monsoon hence it can be termed a key factor in attached in plants, woods, stones and season (45.2 cm) with average the control of fish stock sizes. The various other substrates. It has great phytoplankton production 145.0 occurrence of these organisms largely importance as primary producers mgC/m3/hr in the selected canals. depends on the seasonal variations of together with phytoplankton and Soil quality is an important factor physico-chemical parameters, macrophytes which provides foods to in aquaculture productivity as it physiographic factors and flow many aquatic organisms. The maintains the bottom stability. Soil characteristics of the water body. periphytic associations in the selected texture of the Sundarbans canal is Phytoplankton and zooplankton canals of Sundarbans showed the sandy-loam (67.33%). Soil pH was populations in the selected canals dominance of six groups which alkaline in nature. Organic carbon exhibited significant variations in represented as Bacillariophyceae > acts as source of energy for microbes abundance in seasons. Cyanophyceae Cyanophyceae > Coscinodisco- that release nutrients through excelled as a major microfloral phyceae > Chlorophyceae > biochemical processes. It was low to component (>35%) followed by Conjugatophyceae > Nematoda. medium (0.38-0.60%), which Bacillariophyceae (>28%) and Diatoms invariably constituted the indicated there was no organic matter Chlorophyceae (>17%). Other algal bulk of the population (> 66%) of accumulation at the bottom of the groups (Coscinodiscophyceae, the total periphytic community canals. In general, soils under Euglenophyceaea, Trebouxiophyceae, attached in the natural substrates. brackish water contain good amount Mediophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Macrobenthos; Pila virens, Bellamya of available phosphorous which is Conjugatophyceae, Synurophyceae) bengalensis, Pila globossa, Meiniplotica beneficial to the growth of fish food contributed partially and fluctuated scabra, Tarebia granifera, Thiara organisms. Accumulation of good much in seasons. Dinophyceae lineata were very common quantity of available nitrogen and contributed least (<1%) contribution irrespective of seasons in the canals. phosphorus in canal soils are to the algal community. Diatoms Small indigenous fishes (SIFs) are considered to be productive were the most diverse group across the major catch in these canals environment. the seasons in these canals. contributing >75% (showed Compositions of zooplankton percentage on the basis of studied Biotic communities represented; Crustacean nauplius> canals) of the total catch. The assemblage of biotic Rotifera> Copepoda> Copepod Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius

Indian Farming 12 November 2020 sophore, Pethia ticto, Parambassis ranga, selected freshwater canals of necessary to increase fish Chanda nama, Trichogaster spp., Sundarbans (Bherua and Bishalakhi production. Anabas testudineus, Macrognathus canal) where stocked IMCs are • Governance is the prime issue as pancalus, Glossogobius giuris, Channa resulting good growth (ongoing). It canals are common property punctata, C. marulius, Salmophasia was reported that after 6 months of resource. bacaila, Notopterus notopterus, Mystus culture period, the maximum size gulio, Mystus spp. Chelon parsia, C. recorded for catla, rohu and mrigal SUMMARY tade were the major catch. Penaied was 1.2 kg., 1.0 kg and 0.80 kg The study discussed about the and non-penaied prawns also respectively; which may encourage potential culture practice/ contributed a good amount of share the local community to culture fish in enhancement in canals of Indian (<10.0%) to the total fish catch. canals. Experiment on culture Sundarbans. It is understood that the practices with diversified fish species canals or modified irrigation systems Canal fisheries development in is urged to do on these canals and can supply additional livelihood Sundarbans perennial irrigation canals in support through fisheries to rural A degree of management stocks to particular existed in various states. poor provided attention is given to be required to maintain a more Systematic net partition systems this pre-existing habitat. Restoration productive sustainable fishery. With covering large area with suitable low- of productive fisheries in canals needs this view, since 2017, ICAR-CIFRI investment fish culture practice/ management regimes to save water associated in staggered stocking of enhancements in canals is one of the needed for farming and conserve Indian major carps in various fresh noble option for enabling fish sustainable fish stocks. Governance of water canals of (Bali and Gosaba productions and livelihood support canals is the major issues due to the block) Sundarbans with local village of local people. conflict of interest between development team in a participatory agriculture and fisheries as these are approach. Need-based capacity Lessons learned common property resource. At the building programmes are being • Advanced fingerlings (more than same time, the probable impact on organized in selected areas to 80 mm) to be stocked in the biodiversity and ecological integrity promote canal fisheries as a livelihood canals to escape themselves from are concern, which needs more options. Interventions are made by the predatory wild stocks available cutting-edge research on these simply release of Indian major carp in the resources. resources. For successful management fingerlings in 6 canals of Sundarabans • A small portion can be utilized for and development in this sector, it is (Bali and Kalitala area) where fish in-situ raising of advanced essential to have the appropriate production was obtained up to the fingerlings as stocking material for understanding of these ecosystems tune of 800 kg/ha/year of table sized enhancement in canals. with site-specific suitable fish without supplementary feeding. • As canals are long stretch of water methodologies/ enhancement Fish production can further be body, poaching is a major issue practices for fish production and also increased by following proper and need to be addressed. plausible guidelines which can management strategies. Stocking of Creation of ownership among maintain the role of canal fisheries as right size fish seed at right time and stakeholders for the canal fisheries a social “safety net” along with maintaining of water depth/ volume is important. promotion of fishers in the locality. are the two major crucial factors for • The inlets and outlets of the canals the fish production/ enhancement in need to be covered with nets to these canals. prevent escape of fish from the 1Scientist, 2Principal Scientist, 3HoD and 4 Recently, ICAR-CIFRI has canal and vice-versa. Principal Scientist, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, *Corresponding author’s e-mail: initiated trial in ‘net partition • Capacity building of the [email protected] systems’ for ‘carp polyculture’ in stakeholders on canal fisheries is

Indian Farming November 2020 13 Indian Farming 70(11): 14–17; November 2020 Success Story Closed sub-surface drainage to ameliorate waterlogging and salinity in a canal command area

Tushar Umedbhai Patel* Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat 396 450

Reclamation of saline, saline-alkali and waterlogged soils formed due to the intrusion of flood waters can effectively be done by the closed sub-surface drainage (CSSD) technology. The CSSD technology is appropriate under the salinity and water logging conditions to leach out the excess and harmful salts with excess water from the root zone to provide a better environment to the plants to grow. In south Gujarat, CSSD technology was installed in Patel’s farm situated at Virpor and Ghala village, Taluka Choriyasi, District Surat of Gujarat in the command of Surat branch under Ukai Kakrapar (UKC) irrigation project. With successful operation of the system installed during 2012-13 at farmers filed, the water logging problem has reduced and average water table has been lowered from 36.5 to 50.0 cm. The soil salinity has been reduced from 6.7 to 3.5 Ds/m. The sugarcane yield has increased from 58 to 96 t/ha i.e. 65.5 % higher than areas not adopting CSSD technology. The farmers are happy and express the satisfaction over the performance of dual purpose subsurface cum irrigation system.

Keywords: Closed sub-surface drainage, PCV pipe, Soil salinity, Sugarcane, Waterlogging

RRIGATION projects play a considerable amounts of salt. In area, 15% of land is actually suffering I pivotal role in enhancing the crop many canal commands, there has from these problems and another productivity, livelihoods of the been a rise in the water table and 25% land is critical mainly due to farmers and prosperity to the area. consequent degradation of soils high clay containing soils, adoption However, if the irrigation facility through water logging and secondary of faulty irrigation methods developed is not properly utilized, salt build-up. Further the impact of (flooding, field to field etc.) by then the natural resources viz., soils irrigation over many years have ignoring the land irrigability and crops/vegetation may be caused the ground water table to rise classification. Besides, inclination deteriorated to such an extent that into root zones in these command towards high water consuming crops they become unproductive. Though areas, which led to reduction in crop like paddy, sugarcane, banana etc., by drainage is envisaged in project yields. The time required to appear neglecting suggested cropping document of each and every these problems and their severity vary pattern and heavy rainfall (1,400 command, seldom it receives due with soil type, cropping system mm). attention after commissioning of the adopted by the farmers, maintenance Under these circumstances, project. The introduction of irrigated of the canals and presence of network subsurface drainage is considered as a agriculture, however, has resulted in of natural drains in the command most suitable approach for removal the development of the twin areas. of excess groundwater from the crop problems of water logging and soil Indiscriminate and excess use of root zone system which promotes salinization. Farmers apply huge water by farmers and faulty irrigation safe environment for efficient crop quantities of canal water assuming application system, the worst fears growth. Moreover, subsurface more irrigation could bring more came true in the form of water drainage has been found to be the yield. Furthermore, the introduction logging and secondary salinization only solution for providing land of canal irrigation not only brings the particularly in low lying areas of reclamation on a long-term basis much needed water, but also imports Ukai-Kakrapar Command (UKC) on when salts are present in the soil and salts as irrigation water contains river Tapi in South Gujarat. In UKC groundwater. The scientists have

Indian Farming 14 November 2020 Fig. 1. Installation of sub-surface drainage planned proper drainage and other the field. The other problems related very high during mid July to August. land planning initiatives. to water logging conditions are poor Earlier, farmers used to grow Development of efficient drainage growth and yield of crops, land cotton and pigeon pea in this area. system and its maintenance, workability (preparation) and higher However, they shifted to sugarcane provision of interceptor and collective infestation of pest and diseases are with the availability of Ukai Kakrapar surface drains, plantation of bio- the problems due to continuous wet irrigation. the said farmer with the drainage trees resulted into lowering condition i.e., vapsa condition is not 10 acres of fertile land, recalled the of water table and farmers are able to attained. All these aspects have happiness of his elders when canal cultivate their land. The farmers of negative impact on crop growth and water was made available to their UKC have not simply adopted the ultimately reduce yield. Subsurface land. Patels were very happy to CSSD in affected area, but they are drainage installation helps in irrigate their field and getting good also doing some modifications in the lowering the water table below root yield of sugarcane and their family system, so as to meet their site- zone by draining excess water and was prospering. The number of specific requirement. Many farmers also reclaiming the salt affected soils. irrigations varied from 12 to 14 times have been benefited with this General characteristics and during the entire crop growth period achievement but Patel’s farm at history of fields: The soils are heavy of sugarcane crop. The canal water Virpor and Ghala village, Taluka with more than 48% clay. The soil is has a salinity of 0.3 dSm-1, thus Choriyasi, Surat district, Guajarat, moderately alkaline in reaction, and an irrigation gift of 1,600 to 2,000 emerged as a leader in adopting the high in soil salinity. The soil salinity mmyr-1 added 3.5 to 4.0 t ha-1 of package of technologies for in most parts of the area is higher salts to the soil profile. He was reclaiming barren land due to water than 6.5 dS m-1 at all the depths. On irrigating their field as much as logging and salinity (Fig. 1 and 2), the basis of electrical conductivity of possible but slowly he realized that the success story is addressed here. saturation extract (ECe) of soils, problem of waterlogging (within 1 to Farmers details: The closed most of the area has been identified 1.5 m below ground level) building subsurface drainage has been installed as saline. The water table of this area up in their land due to low lying on the fields of Shri Morarbhai is highly fluctuated and observed at topography, over irrigation and low Koyabhai Patel, Head of family, Shri soil surface during monsoon season permeability of soil. Moreover, Balvantbhai Morarbhai Patel and and 1.5 m deep inside the ground seepage of canal contributed major Nayanbhai Morarbhai Patel are the during summer season. Rainfall is share of this water and the whole area son at Virpor and Ghala village, Taluka Choriyasi, District Surat of Gujarat state in the command of Surat branch under Ukai Kakrapar irrigation project with the technical support from Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. Objective: The basic objective of drainage is to remove excess water from the waterlogged fields. Further, it also helps in reducing secondary salinization/ sodicity problems from Fig. 2. Crop after installation of CSSD

Indian Farming November 2020 15 became muddy and there Fig. 3. Closed sub-surface drainage system layout for the collector drains was no way to drain out the (Fig. 3). Subsurface excess water. The natural drainage with PVC drains were choked with corrugated pipes were laid weeds like Typha, Lantana at 35-40 m between two and Ipomea. Unable to get drains and at an average the proper yield, he was very depth of 1-1.5 m. Price of worried and realized that PVC corrugated pipe was over irrigation and around ` 85/m. The cost unscientific practices have include excavation trench made his land barren. using JCB, labour cost for Meantime, the farmers laying of pipe corrugated heard some technology pipe and refilling on about drainage and trench, cost and laying of consequently they visited PVC pipe as conveyance the Soil and Water connecting corrugated Management Research Unit, pipe to nallas outside field NAU, Navsari. They was around ` 25,000 to Farmer’s name: Morarbhai Kalidasbhai Patel, Village: Virpor, interacted with the scientists Taluka: Mandvi & Dist. : Tapi, Block No. 184, Area. 1.47 ha. 30,000 per ha.. Overall, and were happy to know cost of the system was about the subsurface around ` 40,000 to drainage technology which 55,000 per ha. can get rid of the water The system works by logging as well as salinity gravity and drainage and sodicity of their field. water disposed in to the As suggested by the stream, which ultimately scientists, the farmers carries it to the Tapi followed the guidelines for River, about 1.2 km away reclamation in their own from the farmers’ fields. lands. With full enthusiasm At one of the main closer and motivation, he helped drainage, farmers have the scientists in all respects made provisions to drain and he was happy that the surface water into it, in drainage which earlier was the event of surface choked with weeds was stagnation due to excess cleared with the use of rainfall. The collector pipe herbicides as suggested by thereafter is of rigid PVC the scientists. The pipe. Whenever required, University recommends fresh water is pumped subsurface drainage for from the stream/nala and waterlogged and salt- put into rigid collector affected lands besides Farmer’s name: Nayanbhai Morarbhai Patel, Village: Ghala, through pump stand. The Taluka: Kamrej & Dist. : Suarat, Block No. 314 Area. 2.40 ha. addition of organics collector line is used as lift (manures and green irrigation pipeline to manure). Farmers irrigate the fields. Thus, themselves bore the farmers are using collector expenditure on the line for surface drainage, subsurface drainage system. subsurface drainage and Now, they realize the irrigation. Because of importance of maintaining multiple uses of the the proper drainage in the system they are also field. taking care of the system themselves. Drainage technology technical details Increase in sugarcane yield Corrugated PVC pipes and economics with a diameter of 80 mm Sugarcane yield from were used for the field the closed subsurface drains and rigid PVC pipes Farmer’s name: Balvantbhai Morarbhai Patel, Village: Ghala, drainage system were -1, with diameters of 180 mm Taluka: Kamrej & Dist. : Suarat, Block No. 314 Area. 1.50 ha. from 87 to 105 t ha

Indian Farming 16 November 2020 water table (Fig. 4). By improving the soil conditions for water movement and also increasing drain water discharges, the performance of deep drainage systems improved. The main causes of the rise in water table are precipitation, excess irrigation, leaching water, seeps from higher land or irrigation canal and ditches and groundwater under artesian pressure that reduced by subsurface close drainage technology Fig. 4. Impact of Closed Sub-Surface Drainage System on ground water table by removing excess groundwater from the crop root zone system which promotes safe environment for efficient crop growth that reflect on higher crop yield.

Reduction in Soil Salinity due to Closed Sub-Surface Drainage System There was considerable reduction in soil salinity. Graph was drawn to observe the changes in ECe before and after the installation of the system (Fig. 5). Fig. 5. Impact of Closed Sub-Surface Drainage System on soil salinity Overall effect was positive and three years after installation, ECe Table 1. Impact of CSSD System on sugarcane crop production and economics has been reduced. Before the Farmers name Crop Crop yield Increase Cost of Net BCR installation of drainage systems, -1 (t ha ) in cultivation income ECe ranged from 6.3 to 7.1 Drainage installation yield (`/ha) (`/ha) (average: 6.7 dSm-1) and after Before After (%) installation of drainage systems, it Morarbhai K. Patel Sugarcane 62 96 54.8 126,000 220,800 1.75 was observed 3.2 to 3.8 (average: (Head) 3.5 dSm-1), respectively. The upper Balvantbhai M. Patel 60 105 75.0 130,000 241,500 1.86 (Son) layers are reclaimed at a faster rate Nayanbhai M. Patel 52 87 67.3 125,000 200,1001.60 than the deeper layers. Within three (Son) years after installation of drainage Average 58 96 65.5 127,000 220,800 1.74 systems, sub surface drainage Note: Sugarcane: ` 2,300/tonne (average of three year) technology can also be effectively used in the saline and sodic soils to however, average yields obtained between improvement of system remove the salts in huge quantities under closed subsurface drainage performance and increasing in from the profile in shortest possible systems were noticeably significant sugarcane yield, followed by a rise of time. Establishment of sugarcane i.e. 96 t ha-1 that was 65.5% higher the economic returns. An economic crop was good after installation of compared to areas without analysis showed that the cost of drains and general yield increase installation of CSSD system areas installing subsurface drainage systems was 55 to 75%. that produced only 58 t ha-1. was readily justified by annual Subsurface drainage drain excess soil increase in sugarcane yield. Conclusion water and salt from the rhizosphere, Adoption of sub-surface drainage that keep the soil moisture and Reduction in ground water table due to system was found highly effective in aeration and favours the crop growth. Closed Sub-Surface Drainage System reclamation of water logged and salt Quantifying the influence of this The mean water tables observed affected lands. Water table and ECe system on the salinity of drainage goes lower from year to year as of soils were improved by 52.2 and water indicated that electrical expected. The water table range from 36.9%, respectively. Ultimately, conductivity (EC) and total salt load 35–38 cm (average: 36.5 cm) below sugarcane crop yield increased by decreased markedly. Looking to the ground level before CSSD was 65.5%. performance of sugarcane cropyields, lowered down that reached at 47-52 it was increased with the installation cm (average: 50.0 cm) in the post- Scientist, *Corresponding author’s e-mail: of subsurface drainage system. The drainage situation indicating [email protected] results showed direct relationship significant improvement in ground

Indian Farming November 2020 17 Indian Farming 70(11): 18–19; November 2020 Impact of Epizootic ulcerative syndrome on small-scale fish farmers and its management

P K Pradhan, Anutosh Paria, Gaurav Rathore and Neeraj Sood ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226 002

Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) caused by Aphanomyces invadans is one of the most destructive pathogens of freshwater fishes. The disease is a major problem is culture-based capture fisheries practiced mainly by small-scale farmers with limited resources. The losses due to the disease have significant impact on the livelihood particularly food and nutritional security. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Therefore, there is a need to develop treatment measures which can be easily affordable for the farmers. ICAR-NBFGR under the All India Network Project on Fish Health has developed formulation which has been found to be quite effective in treatment of this disease.

Keywords: Aphanomyces invadans, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome, Small-scale farmers, Treatment

PIZOOTIC ulcerative syndrome microbiological agents have been species of Saprolegnia and Achlya. E(EUS) is a serious disease of recovered from affected fish. Some of This group of pathogens although freshwater and estuarine fish, and these agents may significantly look-like fungi but are not true fungi. more than 160 fish species are known contribute to the disease complex in a Unlike fungi, oomycetes do not have to be susceptible to this disease. It is particular outbreak but it is chitin-based cell walls; instead their the first disease which has spread important to distinguish them from cell walls are composed of cellulosic internationally with major impacts, the factor(s) essential in all EUS compounds and glycan, and the especially in the developing world. outbreaks. However, research works nuclei within the filaments are The disease has a complex infectious have confirmed that Aphanomyces diploid, rather than haploid as is the aetiology and it is clinically invadans is the primary causative case in fungi. For this disease, characterised by the presence of agent of the disease. In an expert secondary zoospores of A. invadans Aphanomyces invadans and necrotising consultation on Epizootic ulcerative are considered as the infective stages ulcerative lesions leading to a syndrome (EUS) held during the that germinate upon attaching pathognomonic granulomatous Fifth Symposium on Diseases in themselves to fish skin that has been response. In early stages, the gross Asian aquaculture, Australia in 2002, damaged and subsequently leading to lesions are characterised by pinhead- majority of the experts supported a severe necrotising granulomatous sized red spots on the body surface new name for the disease i.e. lesions. including head and fins, caudal Epizootic Granulomatous peduncle, dorsum or operculum with Aphanomycosis. However, as the old Impact of the disease no noticeable haemorrhages or ulcers. name epizootic ulcerative syndrome The most notable epidemiological In the intermediate stage, the lesions is familiar, till date the disease is characteristic of the disease is its vast are represented by small (2-4 cm) called as EUS. It is important to note host range which includes highest dermal ulcers, with associated loss of that the World Organization for number of documented host aquatic scales and haemorrhages. In the Animal Health (OIE), in its Aquatic animal species susceptible to clinical advanced stage, lesions appear on Animal Diagnostic Manual and Code disease. As reported earlier, over 160 other parts of body of the fishes and mentions the disease as ‘Infection fish species are affected and they expand into large necrotic open with Aphanomyces invadans’ like other belong to 54 families under 16 ulcers; resulting eventually in death. OIE-listed diseases, suggesting that orders. Such a wide host range has Given the wide geographical area, A. invadans is the causative agent. special relevance in the tropics and and the diverse range of habitats in A. invadans is a water mould sub-tropics, where culture-based which EUS-affected fish occur, a (Omycete) which includes other capture fishing is most common. It is particularly diverse mix of important fish pathogens, such as important to mention that in one of

Indian Farming 18 November 2020 the general health and the EUS status of susceptible fish should be monitored regularly. This will help to take appropriate actions if EUS is observed. Although a number of chemicals have been evaluated for their efficacy for treatment of EUS but as on date, there is no effective treatment for EUS- infected fish. It may be noted that infection with A. invadans is Fig. 1. Mortalities due to Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome in culture-based capture fisheries in Lakhimpur usually observed in Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh extensive aquaculture the studies, it was observed that even infected area. Removal of all systems which are practised mainly by after more than three decades of its susceptible fish from ponds prior to small-scale farmers with limited first occurrence in the country in the stocking, drying and liming of ponds, resources. Therefore, there is a need to year 1988, a prevalence of ~ 69% disinfection of contaminated develop treatment measures which can was recorded and 13 fish species were equipments/nets could be considered be easily applied. Keeping the same in found to be infected in Lakhimpur for eradication programmes. Once consideration, ICAR-NBFGR under Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh (Fig. eradicated, the pathogen from a All India Network Project on Fish 1). Interestingly, EUS was observed culture facility, the goal should be to Health funded by ICAR, carried out in seven new species for the first time prevent its re-introduction. It is likely detailed investigation to determine in these natural outbreaks. In that infections may be spread by the concentration-specific therapeutic addition, there have been several affected/carrier fish, contaminated efficacy of 11 compounds with reports of EUS from Northeast India water, equipment, net etc. Therefore, antifungal properties against three where rice-fish culture is practised in obtaining seed and brood from EUS- different life-stages (zoospore some parts. Moreover, many free farms, obtaining water from production, germination of zoospores cyprinids, the dominant human food disease-free source, using screen to and growth of hyphae) of A. invadans. species in India, are susceptible to remove wild fish, treatment of water Based on the results of in vitro studies, EUS. Notably, fish has high with disinfectants etc. can be two compounds were further concentrations of bio-available considered under exclusion strategies. evaluated in 38 farms at three different vitamins and minerals (such as After eradication and preventing locations in Assam, West Bengal and vitamin B12, calcium, iron and zinc), reintroduction, using the epidemio- Uttar Pradesh. The affected fishes in essential fatty acids and animal logical evidences, intervention the above farms had typical lesions protein. In addition, small indigenous strategies and special management due to oomycete infection. Following fish species often caught by such measures should be adopted during single application of the formulation, farming communities are typically periods of high EUS risk. In one of the fishes in all the affected farms eaten whole and can make a the epidemiological studies showed significant reduction in significant contribution to the undertaken in an Indo-UK research lesions. In addition, the formulation micronutrient intake of their families. project in the Maharajganj district of has also been used for treatment of 12 Therefore, the importance of culture- Uttar Pradesh at ICAR-NBFGR, it disease cases diagnosed with based capture fisheries for the rural has been observed that high stocking oomycete infection alone or co- poor is much greater where fisheries densities and poor water qualities are infection with bacteria. In all the cases, are a key protein and nutrient source associated with fish mortalities the formulation also had significant and occurrence of EUS can during winter seasons which coincide effect in resolution of the lesions. This significantly affect fish catches. with EUS season. Therefore, during formulation would help in Hence, the potential impacts of the high risk periods, keeping the significantly reducing losses due to disease on fisheries, aquaculture and stocking densities as low as possible, EUS and thereby helping the farmers ecosystems can be serious. avoiding stress, maintaining good to improve their food and nutritional water quality, preventing skin security. Management of EUS damage caused by ectoparasites and In the regions, where the disease is bacteria, harvesting of susceptible fish endemic, attempt should be made to before the high risk period are some Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected] eradicate A. invadans from an already of rational approaches. In addition,

Indian Farming November 2020 19 Indian Farming 70(11): 20–22; November 2020 Success Story Rainbow trout fish farming in upland hilly regions – A game changer for the small farmers

Vinod Kumar Bist1* and Mitali Ghosh Roy2 National Bank Staff College, NABARD, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226 012

Trout, a common name for a number of species of cold freshwater fishes is available and cultured in the upland catchments of many tropical and sub-tropical countries including India. Introduced in the country mainly to encourage sport fisheries initially, it also has lot of commercial value and being used as important table fish. Introduction of trout has helped the fish to become established in most of the cold water aquatic bodies of the country.

Keywords: Hilly region, Rainbow trout, Small farmers

N trout farming, the farmers from site should receive water which resources. Shri Rajeev Jaswal of IJammu and Kashmir, and must be free from silt. village Shanan, a person in his mid- Himachal Pradesh have done much • Besides the water quality, the forties was unemployed and better than most of their water flow rate in the trout ponds struggling to make his ends meet counterparts. Considering the larger or raceways is also important. A before the year 2000 (Fig. 1). picture, trout cultivation in the hilly minimum water flow of about 2- Inspired by one of his close relatives, regions of the country right from 3 litres per second (lps) is he utilized the natural water source Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal required. flowing through his hilly farm land Pradesh, Uttarakhand and also other • Availability of adequate and timely and started cultivating carp fishes. Himalayan states can be a game supply of quality trout fish seed is Initially, he started with a Chinese changer for especially the poor small important limiting factor coming carp variety of fish called as common and marginal farmers. This is true, in its success. carp by cultivating them in especially for those who can source • While cultivating the trout fish, it rectangular kutchha pond. Soon he supply of water in their farm land is required to be given protein rich realized that the cultivation was not a from the natural nallahs by feed in the raceways. success as the fish growth suffered constructing water channels. Trout farming has proved to be a due to intense cold temperatures. Some of the essential as also money spinner and boon for small Jaswal did not lose heart and next limiting factors required for farmers in the hilly regions of the year initiated cultivation of rainbow cultivating trout in the upland country. For sustainable trout, an exotic cold water fish well regions are as under. development of rainbow trout acclimatized to the hilly regions of • Requirement of higher dissolved farming in the country, constant the Himalayas. oxygen content and temperature support and cohesion of policy Trout, a common name for a range between 10 and 20°C. makers, research organizations and number of species of cold freshwater • Availability of clean, clear, cold concerned line departments is equally fishes is available and cultured in the and continuous flow of water is important. There is also a need to upland catchments of many the most crucial deciding include more components in the temperate tropical and sub-tropical parameter for selection of site for existing scheme of the Government countries including India. Introduced setting up of the rainbow trout of India. in the country mainly to encourage farm. The distant hilly district of Mandi sport fisheries initially, it also has a lot • Proper selection of site for trout in the state of Himachal Pradesh is of commercial value and being used farm is primary requirement as the endowed with rich cold water as important table fish. Introduction

Indian Farming 20 November 2020 of trout has helped the fish to become established in most of the cold water aquatic bodies of the country. Taking support of the Department of Fisheries, Jaswal converted the rectangular carp fish pond into a raceway pond of 8 × 2 × 1.5 m size and started cultivating rainbow trout in 2001. Besides the one-time cost spent on construction of raceway, major expenses were incurred on procuring 2,000 rainbow trout seeds and protein rich feed costing ` 45/kg. He could harvest a crop of about 250-300 kg of rainbow trout in 13 months giving him approximately an income of ` 55,000. Overwhelmed with this success and also subsequently the support received under various Government of India programmes viz. Rashtriya Krishi Fig. 1. Rainbow trout Farm of Shri Rajeev Jaswal at Shanan, Himachal Pradesh Vikas Yojana and the Blue revolution scheme, the farmer constructed • It grows well in waters with a This also helps in maintaining the thirteen cemented raceways of higher dissolved oxygen content desired level of oxygen. varying size in the next few years. At and temperature range between 10 • Availability and timely supply of present, the farmer can produce and 20°C. The fish may not survive quality rainbow trout fish seed is about nine tonnes of rainbow trout at temperatures above 25°C, hence, very important for success of a trout from his farm comprising of 13 it is imperative to culture the fish farm. At present most of the trout raceways constructed in an area of only in the higher hills. As the seed hatcheries are located in about 800 sq meter within 14-15 temperature rises and dissolved remote areas of the hilly states and months. The farm gate price of the oxygen in the water decreases, fish it often becomes difficult for the fish is presently more than ` 500/kg. begins to experience stress. Stress farmers to get quality trout seeds on To sum up, small farmers in upper begins to set in well before the time. hilly region can dream of earning a water temperature reaches the lethal • Protein rich fish feed is the other substantial amount of money from limits (above 20°C). essential input for the trout. Good small pieces of land provided they • Availability of clean, clear, cold and quality, energy rich and nutritionally utilize the water resources judiciously continuous flow of water is the balanced feed is very essential and by selecting proper economic most crucial deciding parameter for especially when the size of the fishes activity like that of trout farming. selection of a site for setting up of are small. In trout farming, the farmers from the rainbow trout farm. The fish The fish attains table size in about States and UT like Jammu & can be cultured only in flow 12-14 months (about 250-300 gm). Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have through ponds popularly called as It is well adapted to supplementary done much better than most of their raceways. Continuous flowing feed and culture in raceway ponds. In counterparts. Considering the larger water ensures clear and highly recent years, farmers have shown picture, trout cultivation in the hilly oxygenated waters in the raceways greater interest in commercial regions of the country right from which is essential for the fish. rainbow trout farming. Requirement Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal • Proper selection of site for trout of technological advances in the form Pradesh, Uttarakhand and also other farm is primary requirement as the of improved feed having higher food Himalayan States can be a game site should receive water which conversion ratio (FCR), farm design changer for especially the poor small must be free from silt. The water with greater efficiency, optimization and marginal farmers. This is true supply from the natural nallahs/ of stocking density, brood stock especially for those who are having a drains till the trout ponds or maintenance and hatchery practices good source of perennial water raceways can be channelized by are necessary for the future supply in their farm land from the constructing a cemented channel. development of trout farming in natural nallahs by constructing water • Besides the water quality, the water India. channels. Some of the essential points flow rate in the trout ponds or The fish although fetches a good as also limiting factors required for raceways is also important. A farm gate price for the farmers cultivating rainbow trout (Fig. 2) in minimum water flow of about 2-3 (` 500-600 per kg), however, in the upland regions are as given under. litres per second (lps) is required. future, with more farms coming up,

Indian Farming November 2020 21 marketing network needs trout farming, constant to be strengthened. Since support and cohesion of farms are located in remote policy makers, research areas in the hills with poor organizations and transportation facilities, concerned line departments access to the market may are equally important. be a challenge. Rainbow There is a need to include trout being a high value some of the essential cost low volume fish and highly components like cost of perishable commodity, the construction of produce needs to be sedimentation tank, bird transported in shortest protection net, possible time under construction of channel refrigerated condition to from water source till fetch good price. In the raceway of the farmers etc. absence of cold chain in the existing schemes of facilities and reliable the Government of India. Fig. 2. Rainbow trout market linkage, expansion This will be great of rainbow trout farming on a this, the farmers need to be suitably incentive for the small and marginal commercial scale may be difficult. trained from the respective Fisheries trout farmers, as presently, they Value addition of the final produce Departments on aspects related to have to spend a lot money on these may also be thought of in future to raceway construction, seed stocking, components. The existing increase its sales and consumption. feeding and rearing management. guidelines also compels the farmers Although rainbow trout farming The rainbow trout fish requires a to construct the minimum standard activity is highly remunerative for the continuous flow of cold, clear and size of raceway viz. 51 cubic small as well as large farmers in the clean water. Timely availability of meters. In view of smaller land hilly regions, it is also fraught with quality seeds in sufficient quantities holding of the farmers and land some risks. Some of them are listed and protein rich formulated feed are being highly undulated, the farmers below: very important aspects of trout may be allowed to select the size of • Timely availability of quality seeds farming. Although, the farm gate the raceway as per the land for stocking price of the harvested fish is quite available with them. All these • Timely availability of quality feed high, more number of farmers and measures will go a long way not in desired quantity production in the coming years may only in enhancing the production • Maintenance of clean and become a cause of concern. For of the highly priced rainbow trout continuous water flow in the promoting the culture of rainbow fish in the upland regions but also raceway trout, even Government of India is will turn out to be a major source • Proper watch and ward facilities providing fair amount of subsidy to of self-employment in the hilly • Arrangements for marketing of the interested farmers. states. fish. Rainbow trout farming has proved Rainbow trout farming in the to be a profitable venture and a boon 1General Manager/Faculty Member, 2Chief upper hilly regions can be a highly especially for the small farmers of the Technical Officer, DKMA, ICAR New Delhi, *Corresponding author’s e-mail: remunerative activity and can easily hilly regions of the country. For [email protected] be adopted by the small farmers. For sustainable development of rainbow

Indian Farming 22 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 23–26; November 2020 Success Story Fisheries enhancement through stocking of fingerlings in Indian reservoirs for doubling fisher’s income and livelihood security

U K Sarkar1*, Lianthuamluaia2, Mishal P3 and Suman Kumari4 ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, West Bengal 700 120

Fingerling stocking and culture-based fisheries (CBF) is one of the major fisheries enhancement strategies practiced in reservoirs. In the recent years, the reservoir productivity in the country has improved through adoption of culture based fisheries coupled with financial assistance from National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Govt. of India and technical guidance from ICAR-CIFRI. The present study deals with the assessment of impact of fingerlings stocking on the major carp production in selected reservoirs in three different states. Successful adoption of CBF in 83 small reservoirs of Odisha led to the increase of fish yield to 204-323 kg/ha/yr. Similarly in Chhattisgarh the fish yield increased significantly from 48-160 kg/ha/year after scientific stocking of fingerlings in 34 reservoirs. The fish yield increased from 1.1 kg/ha/yr in 2004-05 to 43.46 kg/ ha/yr in 2017-18 due to adoption of fish stock enhancement strategy in large reservoir of Madhya Pradesh. Stocking and management of fingerlings in these reservoirs resulted in increased availability of fish, enhanced food security, livelihood opportunities and increased farmer’s income.

Keywords: Fingerling stocking, Fisheries enhancement, Livelihood, Small reservoir

N India, the area under reservoir India is low due to poor adoption of to 500 fingerlings/ha, 1,000 Iwas estimated at about 3.5 million scientific stocking strategy and agro- fingerlings/ha and 2,000 fingerlings / ha having enormous potential for climatic factors. Initially, in absence ha for small, medium and large inland fisheries development. of scientific guidelines, the Indian reservoirs, respectively. Presently, stocking of fish in reservoir reservoirs were stocked arbitrarily. The information on impact of or culture based fishery is the most Fish seed Committee of Government stocking on fish yield in reservoir of important strategy for sustainable of India (1966) recommended India is sparsely and irregularly enhancement of fish production. stocking rate of 500 fingerlings/ha available. Although different states Enhancement of fish production (40-150 mm). Despite of the have their own stocking program but through stocking was recorded in recommendations, reservoirs were no recent systematic assessment has many reservoirs of India and other understocked owing to unavailability been carried out and documented parts of the globe. Scientific of quality seed and inadequate fund properly in the recent years. Impact assessment of the actual impact of availability. After the boost in fish assessment of stocking was carried stocking on the fish yield is lacking seed production in the country out only for selected reservoirs of which is essential for fixing of the through induced breeding of carps India. As information on the impact optimum stocking density and coupled with financial assistance from of stocking is needed for refining the stocking management for National Fisheries Development development of stocking strategies sustainable enhancement of fish Board (NFDB) after its formation in for enhancing fish production in production from the reservoirs. 2006, the stocking rate has increased reservoir, an attempt for updating the The reservoirs of India are situated over the years which has reflected in information is highly needed. The in tropical region with high nutrient the increased fish yield from these Government of India is emphasizing turnover favouring natural water bodies. The stocking on second blue revolution from productivity. The fish production in recommendations were later revised eastern India particularly from the

Indian Farming November 2020 23 inland open waters. In this background, the present study 200 Prestocking Poststocking attempted to assess the impact of 180 stocking on the fish yield i.e. the fish catch per unit area per unit time (kg/ 160 ha/yr) from selected reservoirs of 140 India and discusses issues and 120 suggests management measures and way forward for sustainable fisheries 100 enhancement and livelihood security 80

of fishers. (kg/ha/year) Yield 60

Methodology for assessment of impact 40 of stocking 20 The data on stocking and production of Indian reservoirs were 0 collected from respective state Small Medium Large department of fisheries to assess the impact of stocking of Indian Major Fig. 1. Impact of stocking on small, medium and large reservoirs of India. Source: Adapted Carp (IMC) i.e. Catla catla, Labeo from Sarkar et al. 2018. rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. Impact of stocking were statistically assessed by comparing the change in fish production between the initial year of stocking and the year after stocking of fish using suitable statistical tools such as student t-test. The pattern of stocking and fish yield and their relationship were shown using suitable graphs.

Impact of stocking of fingerlings on fish yield in Indian reservoirs In India, NFDB and other organizations in collaboration with state fisheries department, stocking of fingerlings of IMCs was executed in reservoirs of different states of India. However the impact of stocking on fish yield was not properly assessed. The impact of this stocking programme on fish yield was highly necessary to find the optimum Fig. 2. Impact of stocking in reservoirs of different states of India. Source: Adapted from stocking density for maximum Sarkar et al. 2018. sustainable production. The fish yield has increased from 11.4, 12.3 and Department of Fisheries, Odisha, 32.46 MT during 2012-13 (initial 49.9 to 33, 94, and 174 kg/ha/yr India to assess the impact of stocking year of stocking) to 48.69 MT (after from large, medium, and small of Indian Major Carp (IMC) i.e. C. stocking) during 2013-14. It was reservoirs respectively as a result of catla, L. rohita and C. mrigala observed that the fish yield of small adoption of culture based fisheries fingerlings stocked in 83 small reservoirs under this program was and management practices through reservoirs from 19 districts during increased significantly (P<0.05, t- NFDB (Fig. 1 and 2). 2012-13 and 2013-14. The stocking test) from 204 kg/ha/yr during the programme was implemented with 2012-13 to 323 kg/ha/yr during Success stories of culture based the financial assistance from ST & SC 2013-14. The per capita fish fisheries in small reservoirs of Odisha Development Department, production was increased from 398 The basic data on reservoirs, fish Government of Odisha. kg/fisher/year during 2012-13 to 702 stocking details and fish catch The mean production level of kg/fisher/year during 2013-14. The information were collected for the small reservoirs of Odisha increased visible change in per capita fish year 2012-13 and 2013-14 from significantly (P<0.05, t-test) from production was noticed in

Indian Farming 24 November 2020 water reservoir with an area of 91,348 ha at full reservoir level (FRL). Impact of stocking was assessed for 14 years (2004- 2018) based on the data of fish stocking and yield. The fish yield increased from 1.1 kg/ha/yr (Stocking Density: 86 fingerlings/ha/yr) in 2004-05 to 43.46 kg/ha/yr (Stocking Density: 304 fingerlings/ha/yr) in 2017-18 due to adoption of fish stock enhancement strategy (Fig. 6).

Recommendations and way forward • The carrying capacity of the water body must be considered while Fig. 3. Fish harvest using gill net from reservoir formulating stocking strategy as the fish yield potential varies from Mayurbhanj district. stocking of fish seed in reservoirs of reservoir to reservoir and region to Chhattisgarh (Fig. 3, 4 and 5). region. Culture based fisheries/stock • Stocking of advanced fingerling enhancement in Chhattisgarh Impact of fish fingerling stocking in (~120 mm) would ensure better A total of 34 reservoirs of Indirasagar reservoir, Madhya Pradesh survival especially in reservoirs Chhattisgarh have been assessed for Indirasagar reservoir is located in dominated by the large predatory assessing impact of fingerling Khandwa district at the heartland of fishes. Also, efforts should be made stocking. Highest fish yield of more India, Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir to remove large predatory fishes than 300 kg/ha/year was recorded in of Indirasagar Dam a multipurpose through repeated netting or with Kirna reservoir. Fish yield increased key project was built on the holy hook and line. significantly (P<0.05) from 48 to Narmada river near Punasa village. • Some reservoirs covered under the 160 kg/ha/year after scientific Indirasagar reservoir is the largest study were struggling with low

Fig. 4. Fish catch from reservoirs for marketing

Fig. 5. Impact of fish stocking and yield of 34 reservoirs of Chhattisgarh

Indian Farming November 2020 25 of enhancement programs independently in respective reservoirs with no or minimal financial assistance in future. • Ecosystem based model for estimation of optimum density for sustainable fish production in reservoirs. • Understanding of ecosystem functioning of the tropical reservoirs for development of climate resilient reservoir fisheries. • Knowledge based management practices with adequate budgetary support in participatory mode. • Development of region specific Fig. 6. Trends of fish stocking and yield in Indirasagar reservoir, Madhya Pradesh management protocol by utilizing the information of ecological status and fisheries information.

Conclusion CBF is a stock enhancement practice suitable for water bodies that do not support sustainable fisheries through self-recruiting fish populations. The present findings clearly indicated that stocking rate (1,000 nos./ha/yr) recommended by National Fisheries Development Board, India enhanced the fish yield, however, the impact on fish yield depends on habitat quality, natural productivity, size and management. Estimation of the potential fish yield and generation of basic data on fisheries and ecology are needed for Fig. 7. Sensitization of culture based fisheries to the fishers of reservoirs each reservoir for optimising the stocking density and adopting water level during summer and launched developmental schemes. reservoir specific management were frequently affected by the Moreover, time series data on strategies. Scientific record of extreme climatic events like flood stocking, environmental and stocking and yield data is extremely and drought. Hence, reducing climatic conditions prevailing will important as time series data on water diversion, adoption of deep help in estimation of weather stocking and production are needed pool refuge, late stocking, early pattern influences on fish yield. for generating optimum stocking harvesting etc. can be used as • Application of remote sensing for density. Awareness and training for adaptive management strategies. delineating the effective water area the fishers and cooperative society • Onsite nursery rearing in cutoff will optimize the stocking rate as members are recommended for the pools, cages, pens etc. by the fluctuating water levels may cause better fisheries management of Primary Fishermen Cooperative massive mortality of the stocked reservoirs in terms of stocking, Society (PFCS) should be species. harvesting, marketing and profit promoted and replicated to the • Impact assessment of climate sharing etc. to support the livelihood other reservoirs, where adequate variability and extreme climatic of fishers living in and around the quantity and optimum sized events on culture based fishery of catchment of the reservoirs. fingerlings are not available for reservoirs should be done to devise stocking. appropriate strategies to mitigate 1Principal Scientist and Head of Division, • Systematic records on stocking, negative impacts in future and to Fisheries Resource Management, 2,4 Scientist, harvesting, gear operated, catch per ensure livelihood of fishers (Fig. 7). Fisheries Resource Management,3 Scientist, unit effort (CPUE), fisher’s income • For sustenance of the CBF in small Fish Nutrition and Biochemistry. *Corresponding author’s e-mail: etc. should be maintained by DoF reservoirs, the PFCS should be [email protected] to quantify the impact of the strengthened to take up such kind

Indian Farming 26 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 27–29; November 2020 Hatchery and Broodstock Management to produce quality seed in carps

Kanta Das Mahapatra1*, Khuntia Murmu2 and Avinash Rasal3 ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751 002

The fish production is needs to be enhanced from 13.75 million metric tonnes (2018-19) to 22 million metric tonnes by 2024-25. To achieve this target aquaculture productivity should be augmented from the present 3 tonnes to about 5 tonnes per ha. The contribution of fish seed in total production cost is 5-10% and stocking of better quality seed is crucial to the expansion and progress of aquaculture sector. Inbreeding depression is observed in many of the carp hatcheries because of repeated usage of the same brood fishes without following intermittent replenishment of broodstock. There is lack of genetic norms in most of the hatcheries in India, which account to nearly 30% loss in production due to bad quality fish seed. Thus, using genetically improved seed following proper broodstock management and genetic norms in the carp hatcheries can serve as a suitable alternative to solve the problem of poor quality fish seed.

Keywords: Broodstock, Carps, Fish seed, Hatchery management

ITH the shift from wild Seed is the important component Issues and importance of breed W harvest of a product to for development of aquaculture improvement agricultural or aquaculture sector. The rapid growth of Selective breeding is a novel production, genetic improvement has aquaculture has been dependent on approach to improvise the fish always been an important the availability of desired fish seed in production. The major issues are: developmental strategy. The first required quantity to the fish farmers. • Non adoption of genetic norms in stage is usually the process of Broodstock or brood fish are the base commercial carp hatcheries domestication. Further genetic materials on which the growth of resulting in inbreeding depression improvement in agriculture or aquaculture industry depends. The leading to genetic erosion, loss of aquaculture typically has a focus to availability of quality fish seed important alleles in the population enhanced production, although the throughout the year is crucial for and seed quality deterioration. process of domestication for aquatic adoption of sustainable aquaculture • Inadvertent hybridization of organisms is at an infant phase than by farmer. Although large quantities Indian Major Carps because of their terrestrial counterparts. of seed of major cultured species is mixed breeding resulting to the The growing importance of now produced in hatcheries, seed genetic pollution in the hatcheries aquaculture has propelled quality has remained as a major leading to non-availability of the improvements in the technologies constraint for the success of pure strains of the carps. required for securing the initial aquaculture. Poor quality of seed can • Genetically improved breed for and basic needs for higher have a variety of causes related to desirable traits. productive aquaculture. Aquaculture both genetics and management. The Broodstock is the principal and presently is difficult without induced quality and management of brood primary input of an effective and breeding of commercially cultivable fish and hatchery practices that lead productive hatchery, while, fish species. The fish seed demand to inbreeding or contamination have management of broodstock is also has increased steadily for stocking in been implicated, as has been poor vital for quality seed production. aquaculture pond and natural water husbandry during nursing, culture Success of induced breeding depends bodies such as reservoirs and rivers. and transportation. Infection with on the availability of adequate number The per capita fish consumption will pathogens to the seed may be cause of brood fish. Brood fish should be increase largely in the developing for poor performance. reared scientifically to get the matured countries in near future. broods during breeding season.

Indian Farming November 2020 27 transported in a stress free condition. Canvass carry bags with water may be used for this purpose. After reaching the hatchery, fishes should be allowed to acclimatize in the spawning pool for 15-20 min in a showering condition. As per their body weight and species hormone injection may be applies preferably by intra-peritoneal route (Fig. 2). Over Fig. 1. Spawning and hatching pool for breeding dose may lead to plugging of the female brooder. Hatchery management be taken to avoid any parasitic Critical water quality parameters For hatchery manager/owners two infection or any other diseases. The that hatchery managers should look types of managements are required: surfacing of brood fish during cloudy for on regular basis in his hatchery Management of broodstock and weather is usually observed which is are as below: hatchery while spawning, and Stock mainly due to depletion in level of management through genetic norms oxygen. To overcome this it is Water source (Fig. 1 and 2). advised to aerate the water surface. Water source should be pollution Feed management is equally free. Water should be filtered before Management of broodstock and important for getting healthy brood entering the hatching pools. hatchery fish. In spite of the natural food like To raise good quality brood fish, it plankton, the brood fishes required to Temperature is better to collect fast growing be fed adequately with Ideal temperature for carp healthy yearlings from known source supplementary feed, @ 1-2% of the breeding is 28-320C. Beyond 350C (genetic background) of parent fishes body weight. CIFABROODTM a carp may affect breeding response. and keep in quarantine for 1-2 broodstock diet having 30-31% months. Stocking density is one of protein proved to be very good as Oxygen the important measures for assuring brood fish diet for carp. Otherwise, Dissolved oxygen level in the good and healthy brooders. The also traditional feed or commercial hatchery pond water should be more stocking density for brood carps pelleted feed may be given to the than 4.0 ppm. Oxygen level below 2 should be at 1,500-2,000 kg/ha in brood fishes. Over feeding may lead ppm may lead to mass mortality of polyculture system. to fat deposition in the body affecting hatchlings. The prospective brood fishes are maturity adversely. With good to be reared in separate ponds with scientific husbandry practices fishes Total alkalinity rich plankton source. They should be attain maturity before onset of Total Alkalinity should be less than checked for secondary infection monsoon, which can be checked 100. Alkalinity above 100 ppm during netting and if found they physically by free oozing of milt in affects the hatching process should be given prophylaxis with male with gentle pressure and negatively. Ideal alkalinity range is potassium permanganate solution (5 bulging belly in case of female. 60-80. ppm). Two or three months prior the Further following technical spawning period, water exchange Hatchery management during spawning/ operations in the hatchery may be should be done in the brood fish fish breeding taken care by the hatchery managers ponds. The periodic examination Brood fishes transportation from for improving survival of seed. should be done to check the maturity the broodstock pond to hatchery is • Egg collection should be done on status of brooders. Due care should very important. They should be a water cushion in the collection

Fig. 2. Broodstock of Jayanti rohu

Indian Farming 28 November 2020 • Female breeder of 3-5 years of age and male of 2-5 years may be used in the breeding program. Broodstocks of different age groups should be bred together. This helps in reducing the chance of loss of some valuable alleles due to genetic drift. • Replacement of broodstock from different sources i.e. rivers, hatcheries and crossing between them may be done for seed production. Natural stocks may be included in the breeding nucleus to increase the heterozygosity level of the domesticated hatchery stock. Networking of hatcheries can be made for exchange of brooders between hatcheries to improve the Fig. 3. Indian Major Carp Seed quality by crossing between the stocks. chamber. size to reduce adverse effects of • The mating between same year • Direction of the duck mouths and inbreeding depression. Production of class, parent offspring, sibs and speed of the water are maintained pure breed is equally important so repeated use of same breeder may in such a way that they keep following suggestions may be be avoided. developing eggs away from both considered to improve brood fishes • To improve the quality of carp seed inner screen and wall of the with genetic norms: cohort breeding protocol may be incubation chamber. • Avoid spawning of all Indian major practiced. • The water speed should be carps in single spawning pool to • To reduce pond space required for maintained at 0.4-0.5 m/sec for the protect the genetic purity of carps’ the male broodstock raising in the first 12 h, 0.1 m – 0.2 m/sec for the gene pools. Spawning should be hatchery cryopreserved milt may be next 6 h and 0.3 – 0.4 m/sec for rest done separately for each species to used. of the operation. avoid unintended hybridization • Hatchery operator should maintain • Reducing speed after 12 h of the between these species. the pedigree record by various operation avoids premature • To increase the heterozygosity means (tagging, fin clipping, dye hatching and prolongs hatching of different lines of fishes may be marking) to avoid the inbreeding in the developing eggs. crossed. Separate lines of fish can be the hatchery. maintained by keeping the record of • Other aquaculture management Stock management using genetic norms the families of different strains bred practices such as water, feed and Fish stock improvement through in the hatchery. disease management are also crucial selective breeding is a novel approach • Improved varieties of fish like for quality seed production. and in the present context it is the Jayanti rohu and improved catla need of hour to produce quality carp may be taken for broodstock Conclusions seed (Fig. 3). The primary goal of development in the hatchery for Genetic basis of broodstock aquaculture genetics is to produce producing quality seed for the management and use of genetic quality fish/shellfish seed. In genetic farmers. norms in hatcheries are highly term, ‘quality seed’ may be defined as • Significance should be given to essential in the present context. those having better food conversion own broodstock production in the Increase in production as well as efficiency, high growth potential, hatchery. Seed from different times purity of stock is also equally better ability for adapting to of breeding may be taken for own important. From all states effort changing environmental conditions stocking rather than from same day should be made to implement the and to resist diseases. It is expected spawn for own broodstock genetic norms in their hatcheries for that culture of quality seed will production. quality seed production. improve over all aquaculture • Equal sex ratio for male and female production of the country. The focus (1:1) may be maintained and same *Corresponding author’s e-mail: of hatchery operator should be to ratio may be used for breeding [email protected] maximize the effective population purpose.

Access Digital Copies of Indian Farming at http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal

Indian Farming November 2020 29 Indian Farming 70(11): 30–33; November 2020 Farmer FIRST Programme Doubling Farmers’ Income through Carp Seed Rearing

Himansu Kumar De1*, Manoj Kumar Das2 and Kalyan Sundar Das1 ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751 002

Farmer FIRST Programme, an innovative extension approach, focuses on enriching knowledge and interpreting technologies in the farmers’ condition. ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar has implemented this project during 2016-19. According to the authors view doubling of farmers’ income through carp seed rearing is possible and the project has significantly contributed towards livelihood improvement of the beneficiaries.

Keywords: Carp seed rearing, Doubling farmers’ income, Farmer FIRST Programme

ARMER FIRST Programme is Talasahi, Kantia uparasahi, cauliflower var. Fujiyama, bitter Fan approach which focuses Jagannathpur (Block-Balianta) and gourd var. VNR, backyard poultry enriching knowledge and integrating Dorbanga (Block-Balipatna) farming var. Vanaraja, composite carp technologies in the farmers’ involving more than 400 small and culture, minor carp farming etc. conditions and to enhance farmer- marginal farmers belonging to SC & technologies are demonstrated in the scientist interface. Emphasis is given ST categories and women. Modules adopted villages. Fish based on farmer’s farm, innovations, on improved technologies on crop, integrated farming system was resources, science and technology. horticulture, livestock and fishery are established in 3 adopted villages for Small holders, landless and farm demonstrated. Skill training and increase in income of farm household women are specially addressed technical backup are provided to the through integration of different through technology integration beneficiaries. The project was enterprises. modules. Strong partnership with operated by ICAR-Central Institute farmer for developing location of Freshwater Aquaculture, Component I: Enhancing Farmers- specific, demand driven farmer Bhubaneswar in 2016-19. Scientist Interface friendly technology option is the Integrated nutrient management For enhanced capacity building guiding principle. in paddy, powdery mildew resistant regular farmers-scientist interfaces The project has covered 4 villages variety of green gram var. TARM 1, were conducted. Need based in Khordha district i.e. Kantia photo insensitive variety of trainings, visits, workshops,

Fig. 1. Carp Seed rearing

Indian Farming 30 November 2020 Table 1. Technology assessment and module application 2018-19 Crop/Variety/Technology/Methodology No. of Area Covered Yield before Yield after Farmers (ha) FFP (t/ha) FFP (t/ha) Integrated Nutrient Management in paddy 38 15.2 4.0 4.5 Green gram in Rice fallow 155 18.6 0.375 0.625 Improved variety of Bitter gourd var. VNR 20 2.5 - 30 Introduction of Cauliflower var. Fujiyama 10 1.2 15 20 Introduction of Bush type French bean var. Falguni 10 0.4 - 8 Backyard Poultry Strain (Kaveri/Vanaraja) 150 1500 nos - 3-3.5 kg body weight gain and 20-25 egg per month after 6-7 months maturity Composite Carp Culture 280 5.33 1.6 3.0 Introduction of Minor carp in Backyard ponds 14 0.36 - 350 g after 6-7 months Total 677 interfaces, extension activities etc. etc. were demonstrated in the reduced the application of were carried out at regular interval. adopted villages as per suitability. chemical fertilizer into half of the Demonstrations of new technologies i. Integrated Nutrient Management recommended dose. in the adopted villages were also in paddy was demonstrated in • Leaf colour chart developed by carried out. In the year 2018-19 15.2 ha of land during 2018-19 ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack used for thirteen field days and five farmer- Kharif season. Under INM, the efficient nitrogen management in scientist interfaces were organized following practices were carried paddy from which 414 and 191 farmers out to reduce the use of chemical ii. Green gram was demonstrated as were benefitted respectively. fertilizer. rice fallow to utilize the available • Application of Zinc Sulphate @ soil moisture after harvesting of Component II: Technology Assemblage, 25 kg/ha and FYM @ 12.5 t/ha. rice. Before planting green gram Application and Feedback • Green manuring with Dhaincha seeds were inoculated with Recommended technologies from (25 kg seed/ha) Rhizobium, Phosphobactor @ various sources like ICAR-CIFA; • Seed treatment with fungicides 250 gm each/10 kg of seed and OUAT, Bhubaneswar; Odisha State e.g. Thiram 42% @ 3 g/kg seed Trichoderma @ 10 gm/10 kg of Seeds Corporation Limited; Central • Demonstration of Cono weeder seed. Seed dressing was done with Poultry Development Organisation • Use of green manure and FYM Gaucho (Imidaclorpid) @ 1.5 ml/ kg of seed. A powdery mildew Carp seed production for doubling farmer’s income resistant variety (TARM 1) was demonstrated which provides Shri Gadadhar Pradhan (65) of village Giringo, District Khordha, a yield of 0.625 t/ha. beneficiary of Farmer FIRST Programme was introduced to Carp seed iii. Composite carp culture was rearing. The farmer was involved in different farming practices like practiced in 6 community ponds cereal, horticulture, livestock and fisheries. He has holding size of 1 ha. having an area of 5.33 ha. Lime The farmer also owns 3 cattle and 30 sheep. He has a pond of area was applied on the basis of soil 0.15 ha where he used to practice carp culture. and water test. Supplementary Shri Pradhan gets around 5 quintal of table fish production in one feeding was given @ 2% of total year from the pond (3.3 tonne/ha) which he dispose at ` 120/kg in the biomass. Bigger and healthier local market. After spending ` 24,700 for pond cleaning, fertilization, fingerlings were stocked after renovation and for procurement of raw materials like fish seed, feed, proper acclimatization with the lime, labour etc., he earned ` 60,000. This gave him a profit of pond environment. Potassium ` 35,000 in a year. permanganate was also applied as After receiving training and technical guidance from the project, he disinfectant to the fingerlings to switched over to carp seed rearing in his pond in 2017-18. By adopting protect them from different ICAR-CIFA technology package, the farmer was able to grow a good diseases. Fish health was checked crop and harvested fingerlings in three and half months’ time. He had through sampling at regular stocked 7,00,000 carp spawn and was able to produce 2,40,000 carp interval. fingerlings. He spent ` 28,000 for pond cleaning, liming, fertilization iv. VNR variety of bitter gourd was and for procurement of spawn, feed, labour, etc. Sale proceeds from also demonstrated in the villages carp seed was ` 84,000. After selling seed the pond was utilized for and the highest yield of 30 t/ha grow out culture for the rest of the season. He harvested 3 quintal of was recorded. table fish with a monetary return of ` 36,000 without any further v. Photo insensitive variety of expenditure. From fish seed rearing as well as grow out culture he earn cauliflower (Fujiyama) was a profit of ` 75,000 which is 2.15 times higher than his previous introduced for growing in off enterprise. season. The cultivar gave an

Indian Farming November 2020 31 Fig. 2. Enhancing Farmers-Scientist Interface: Workshop on farmes’ feedback

average yield of 17.5 t/ha. • An episode of “Chaupal Charcha” • Five beneficiaries of Farmer vi. Fish based Integrated Farming by DD Kisan, New Delhi was FIRST Programme attended the System with dairy, poultry, prepared on Farmer FIRST national workshop on “Let’s listen horticulture crops on the pond Programme of ICAR-CIFA, to farmers: A workshop on embankments have been Bhubaneswar. This was telecast on farmers’ feedback on doubling established in Jagannathpur. 4 February 2019 at 09:00 AM. farm income by 2022" organized Increased access to advanced • A bilingual leaflet “Carp seed at ICAR-NAARM during technologies and support provided by rearing can double aquafarmers’ December 22-23, 2017 (Fig. the project has enabled the farmers to income- technical intervention of 2). The farmers shared their adopt the improved practices. Farmer FIRST Programme feedback and ideas on how to proved it” is developed and is double their income by 2022. Component III: Partnership and being distributed to farmers and • An exposure visit was organised Institution Building other stakeholders to apprise them under which 27 beneficiary Under this project Self Help about the scope of the project as farmers from Jagannathpur Group for schedule caste and landless well as expectations from the (Block-Balianta) and Dorbanga women were mobilized for poultry stakeholders. (Block-Balipatna) village farming. Training on technologies participated and visited 3 ICAR related to one day old chicks Other Activities institutes like ICAR-NRRI, brooding, poultry feed and • On-site input production and Cuttack; ICAR-CHES and ICAR- vaccinations were provided to the management like vermi- CTCRI regional centre, beneficiaries. Seven SHGs were composting, nursery of planting Bhubaneswar on 31 August 2018. involved from 3 villages for this material, seed production, residue • A field day on carp seed rearing intervention. Facilitated formation of management etc. was organised at Giringo village. Bhargabi Fish farmers Producers Company Ltd. in Balipatna block. Impact FFP on livelihood of farmers This company was incorporated on 27.03.2019. Technical back up and Under Farmer FIRST Programme a study was conducted to assess the training were provided to the impact of improved agricultural practices on livelihood of adopted shareholders of this FPO through the farmers. Data was collected from 87 randomly selected beneficiaries. A project. structured interview schedule based on DFID framework (1999) was developed and data was collected by personal interview method. The Component IV: Content Mobilization same interview schedule was introduced before i.e., in 2016-17 and • Website developed for the project: after the intervention i.e., in 2019-20. The impact on livelihoods of Complete information including farmers was measured through finding comparative position of physical, location, beneficiaries, villages social, financial, human and natural assets of the farmers before and adopted, intervention, photo after adoption of the interventions. The mean value of overall standard gallery, publications, contact us of living of adopted farmers derived through addition of the index etc. are there. Further, link is values of five assets was worked out to be 2.84 in post-adoption period provided to Institute’s against 2.41 in pre-adoption period. The gain was found maximum in publications for better access. the financial assets (25%), followed by natural assets (21%), human Details of available technologies of assets (19%), physical assets (15%) and social asset (14%). Overall gain the Institute (www.cifa.nic.in) are in livelihood is worked out to be 18%. By applying paired t test, it was linked with the project website found that the project had a positive and highly significant impact on the (www.farmerfirstcifa.in). livelihood of the beneficiaries.

Indian Farming 32 November 2020 • Composite fish farming gave an average yield of 3.0 t/ha. Higher yield led to enhanced per capita consumption of fish by the farmers. Application of lime, soil and water testing and supplementary feeding at regular interval and demonstration of advanced technologies controlled fish mortality and thereby minimized loss. • Photo insensitive variety of cauliflower var. Fujiyama gave an average yield of 15 t/ha in the demonstration plots. Farmers were benefitted financially as it was harvested in offseason at a higher price. • Minor carp was stocked in Fig. 3. Backyard poultry: Income enhancement for small farmers November in the backyard ponds. Minor carp (Puntius gonionotus) provide intermittent income to It was attended by 12 farmers demonstration plots (B:C ratio the farmers, species from nearby villages. Sri Gadadhar was 1.82). The yield of TARM 1 diversification; maximize biomass Pradhan who has shifted from is 66% higher than the local production and thereby giving carp culture to carp seed rearing, check. consumers a better choice. following ICAR-CIFA package of • Landless women farmers were • Bush type French bean Falguni practices, shared his experiences. trained to rear backyard poultry variety was demonstrated due to The farmers learnt about the fish Kaveri and Vanaraja strain (Fig. its strong and bushy nature. An seed rearing and also appreciated 3). Male birds weigh upto 3-3.5 average yield of 8 t/ha of green the profit from fish seed rearing kg and female birds lay 20-25 eggs pods in 75-85 days was obtained venture. per month after 7 month of (B:C ratio was 1.91). rearing. Eggs are of average Significant Achievements weight of 55 gm. By rearing dual • TARM 1 cultivar of a green gram purpose breed, the beneficiaries 1Principal Scientist, 2Senior Research Fellow, was demonstrated which gave an got 1.79 times higher income as *Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected] average yield of 6.75 q/ha in compared to the local breed.

‘FISHTOONS’

Indian Farming November 2020 33 Indian Farming 70(11):34–37; November 2020

Ornamental aquaculture An alternative avenue for livelihood support

Saroj K.Swain*, Sunil S. Ail and M.K. Bairwa ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751 002

Ornamental aquaculture is among hobbyist farming types where aesthetic sense of human prevails. This can be taken as an addition to other farming practices like beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, etc. It can be taken up in small range of initial capital or in a large scale also. Thus, there is an ample scope for livelihood development through ornamental fish farming in villages. Ornamental fisheries involve wide area of business including culture and breeding of fishes, aquarium construction and design, culture of aquatic plants, live food culture, etc.

Keywords: Aquaculture, Backyard ornamental fisheries, ICAR-CIFA, Ornamental fish village

HE Food and Agriculture ornamental fish varieties which are number of varieties. Tetra, angel fish, T Organization (FAO) estimated traded worldwide. Live bearers discus fish, fighter fish, gourami, the world trade of ornamental fish belonging to poecilidae is one among barbs, catfishes, etc. are other groups around US $ 20 billion. The top commercial fishes, which are easy to which are most preferred in exporting country is Singapore culture and breed in small tanks. Koi freshwater. Dozens of varieties of followed by Hong Kong, Malaysia, carp and gold fish belonging to these fishes have been developed by Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, cyprinidae are one of the oldest the fish breeders in the sector. Certain Taiwan, Indonesia and India. The domesticated fishes and are seen with varieties fetch higher price than the largest importer of ornamental fish is the USA followed by Europe and Japan. The emerging markets are China, South Africa and gulf countries. Domestic trade of ornamental fisheries valued around ` 600 crores mainly contributing from local aquarium shops across the country. The trade is mainly concentrated at major metro cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Cochin. The key production is from small scale production units within 1 acre of land and investment within ` 3 lakhs. Around 50% of this trade value is mainly of imported accessories for use in urban aquariums.

Commercially important ornamental fishes Fig. 1. A mini backyard model ornamental hatchery in 400 sq. ft. area at ICAR-Central There are around 30 important Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture for the beginners who wants to venture in fish families which constitute as ornamental fish farming.

Indian Farming 34 November 2020 normal fish, this is due to variation in fish colour within the species. Most of the important varieties are imported from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka where ornamental fish breeding and culture is more than in India. There are indigenous fishes mainly from two biodiversity hotspots which are collected from the wild and exported. This has caused decline in fish stocks and threat to the natural biodiversity. Therefore, in order to conserve such important fish varieties breeding and culture of important indigenous fishes the study has to be carried out.

Backyard ornamental unit in rural areas The major hitch among small scale Fig. 2. Ornamental Fish village in Deogarh District where women SHG involved in fish farming farmers is the availability of land for farming. The increasing land price sword tail (Xiphophorus helleri) with but larval rearing needs special care. makes it difficult for new farmer to varieties like red sword tail, green A small space in the backyard of a venture into agriculture. A minimum sword tail, sunset sword tail, tuxedo home can be converted into a small space of 400-600 sq.ft is needed to tail, double-sword tail etc. Yet breeding and rearing unit. Such start the ornamental fish culture in another common fish is Platy backyard unit needs low investment the backyard on mini commercial (Xipophorus maculatus) with varieties and a farmer can avail an agricultural scale (Fig. 1). Small rectangular or like round tail, veil tail, fringe tail, loan to develop such units. Basic circular tanks are better for the unit lyre tail, pin tail, etc. (Fig. 3). A training on the subject will be helpful because of the space constraint. sound knowledge on biology, feeding before starting an ornamental fish Tanks made of ferrocement will last behaviour and ambient condition of a farming. It is good to begin from longer and is efficient to use. Tanks fish is a prerequisite before going small fishes like bearers or cyprinids, should be arranged in a manner that ahead with breeding and culture. koi carp and gold fish (Fig. 4). Good better utilizes the space and covers Production of fish food, brood stock quality and highly colour variants fish maximum tanks in minimum area. diet and larval diet needs special to be procured from reliable source. Such models are successful in Kerala attention. The broodfish needs live Good quality feed with 30-35 % and West Bengal, where women in food like tubifex worms and larvae protein with carotenoid pigments has their backyard venture in ornamental needs infusoria, artemia and daphnia to be procured and to be fed twice fish farming. Even polylining sheets during early stages. This necessitates daily @ 3-5% body weight. Water can be used for preparation of a unit for continuous production of exchange to be done @10-20% backyard tanks for the culture and live food. Generally, breeding is easy weekly. After breeding, the young breeding of fishes. During the initial days, farmers can take up production of live bearers as its breeding and rearing are relatively easy. Among live bearers, guppy (Peocilia reticulata) is simplest to start with as it tolerates greater variation in water quality and accept all types of foods. There are many guppy varieties available in market like, round-tail, spear-tail, fan-tail, veil-tail, pin-tail, cobra guppies, Singapore guppies, etc. Another popular live-bearer is molly of various types such as sail-fin molly, black molly, moon-tail, round-tail, chocolate molly, white molly, orange molly, balloon molly, etc. Another magnificent group of live-bearers is Fig. 3. Commercially important live bearers

Indian Farming November 2020 35 Fig. 4. Commercially important egg layers ones need to be separated, reared to Central Institute of freshwater and maintained by different fish market size for sale. Routine care and aquaculture, Bhubaneswar under breeders. Such enterprises will cater necessary management will ensure a National Agricultural Innovation not only for domestic trade but also constant business. Links should be Programme (NAIP) in Odisha where for export market. developed with nearby pet shops for three ornamental fish villages were the sale of the fish. If farmer desires developed at Landijhari, Saruli and Role of ICAR-CIFA to popularize he can start rearing varieties like Nuagaon of Barkot block, Deogarh ornamental fish farming fighter fish, angel fish, rosy barb, District. Such models will improve Being the premier institute in tetras, etc. for better income. the market and ensure livelihood in freshwater aquaculture, ICAR-Central The estimated returns of ` 2,500- rural areas. The villages will have Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture 5,000 per month can be obtained by facilities for providing accessories, (CIFA), Bhubaneswar contributes having a backyard ornamental fish electric supply and live food significantly in aquaculture sector with culture unit. A farmer can improve production. Basically women SHG’s its various promising technologies and his activity as he gains experience by can co-ordinate such activities in products. ICAR-CIFA has developed breeding and rearing. There is scope villages where women can involve in captive breeding and culture of many for venturing into egg layers also if a farming along with household indigenous ornamental fishes farmer is keenly interested to go activities (Fig. 2). This will help in including many barb species from further with additional facility. This strengthening women empowerment Western Ghats. The work for model can also be used in urban areas in rural areas and also earn additional commercial level breeding and culture for production of live bearers or income in every household. of these barb species is under process rearing of small egg layers (Fig 4). Ornamental fish villages can be to popularize them. The training on also developed in a cluster model by ornamental fish farming to different Concept of Ornamental fish village identifying suitable sites and stake holders is provided from time to Ornamental fish village model involving local community in fish time. Model ornamental fish rearing revolves around production of culture. The cluster can be developed unit of different scale is developed for ornamental fishes in 80% of the as public private partnership leased to demonstration and training purpose. households in a hamlet or village. the interested entrepreneurs by local Scientists are involved in committee’s This will form a large number of governing body. This type of model of different policy matters and expert backyard units producing quantity can be seen in Chennai Aqua advice for national level projects in this equal to one large scale unit. The Rainbow park, where number of sector. A new variety of rosy barb prototype was tested by ICAR- small ornamental units are developed named ‘Shining barb’ was developed

Indian Farming 36 November 2020 by this institute through mass a better shape to this industry. This Conclusion selection technology, which was was mainly focused in states like Ornamental fishery helps small probably first improved variety of Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu entrepreneurs in ensuring their ornamental fish in India. on backyard units with minimal livelihood in regions like Kolkata, investment. A targeted investment of Chennai and Mumbai. This can be Contribution in blue revolution and ` 576 crores to generate 7 lakh replicated in many urban cities for PMMSY employment for upgrading the upbringing this industry and also to Ornamental fish culture will be a ornamental aquaculture sector is ensure employment among youths. boon for farmers with available water presently set under Pradhan Mantri As this sector is developing we need resources and are keen for expansion Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). to attract many people towards this of their farming practices. The Also additional investment of ` 500 business and strengthen the domestic financial boost will help in adding up crore under World Bank scheme is trade. the trade value of the sector including proposed for catering this sector. This production of accessories in India. will surely help financial needs of the *Corresponding author’s email: Developmental schemes by NFDB sector to lift up the farming. [email protected] and MPEDA in last decade has given

HANDBOOK OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

Fisheries is a sunrise sector with varied resources and potentials. The sector engages 14 million people at the primary level and is earning over `10,000 crore annually through exports. Fish consumption has shown a continuous increasing trend assuming greater importance in the context of ‘Health Foods’. It is expected that the fish requirement by 2025 would be of the order of 16 million tonnes, of which at least 12 million tonnes would need to come from the inland sector and aquaculture is expected to provide over 10 million tonnes. The domestic market for fish and fishery products is also growing rapidly and necessary models and quality control protocols in this regard need to be developed. In 2006, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, brought out the First Edition of ‘Handbook of Fisheries and Aquaculture’. The present revised edition comprises 42 updated and six new chapters, viz. Fish physiology; Aquaculture engineering, Fisheries development in India; Fisheries cooperatives; Demand and supply of fish; and Climate change – impact and mitigation. The Handbook would be of great value to students, researchers, planners, farmers, young entrepreneurs and all stakeholders in fisheries and aquaculture.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Size : Royal Octavo (16 cm × 24 cm)  No. of pages : i-x + 1116  Price : ` 1500  Postage : Rs 100 ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-106-2

For obtaining copies: Business Manager Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012 Tel : 011-25843657, Fax 09-11-25841282; E-mail : [email protected]

Indian Farming November 2020 37 Indian Farming 70(11): 38–40; November 2020 Seafood value addition Current trends and future prospects

Parvathy U, Binsi P K, Ashok Kumar K and Ravishankar C N ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, Kerala 682 029

Value addition is the key word in the seafood processing industry as it widens the possibilities of maximum returns by foreign exchange earnings. India, being one of the fastest growing economies and the second largest consumer market in the world, offers a strong platform for processed seafood industry. Based on the market requirement, seafood value addition can be diversified. The category of value added commodities range from live seafoods to ready-to-eat convenient products. Value addition also explores new dimensions for the effective utilization of fishery by-catches. India, being adequately equipped with skilled manpower and the dominance in several agri-commodities offers advantage to make strong seafood market capture with a wide array of commodities.

Keywords: Fish Processing, Seafood Market, Surimi, Value Addition

ALUE in the context of food, is technologies, etc. are effective but eat/serve convenience products. Van aggregation of functional restrictedly adopted by the industry. India, being the largest producer of characteristics arising on account of However, most of the exports are several agri-commodities, offers nutritional and sensory aspects at currently limited to frozen forms, and wide possibilities of value addition superior quality as well as affordable thus not explore absolute benefits and product development for the price. Further, it promises utilization from aquatic resources. A value domestic as well as export market. of the under-exploited nutrient rich addition to the level of about 23% is Ethnic Indian recipes like fish/ resources in the most effective reported for seafood in India but not shrimp pickle, unique dishes of manner. Value added fish products beyond the level of dressed fish and various cultural populations, are presented in a preparatory and deveined/ blanched shrimps. Hence, diverse marinated recipes, etc. offer convenient form. It can be products standardization of new processes and attractive opportunities for seafood ranging from simple dressed/ protocols have to be made for value addition. However, these trimmed, minced forms to advanced enhancing value addition and thereby captivating factors are flattened by ready-to-eat styles. Value addition can effective utilization of fishery the poor infrastructure also be in the form of a new package resources. In this regard, development and capital in eco-labelling with multiple development of indigenous investment affecting the dimensions of flavor profiles on processing machinery is an development of processed seafood account of added ingredients. It is immediate necessity in fisheries market of the country. one of the possible approach to raise sector. At present, Indian seafood Ethnic seafood products are those profitability in seafood industry, consumers prefer fresh fish and there that are traditional, region specific which is becoming highly is an increasing trend in the and are being prepared and competitive, lucrative and utilization of value added fish consumed by different cultural increasingly expensive. products as evidenced by their community. Some of these products The commonly practiced availability and demand in modern are preserved or processed using processing techniques in seafood super markets. centuries-old indigenous knowledge sector include curing, which includes of fermentation/drying/smoking, etc. salting, smoking, drying, pickling, Value addition: Future dimensions Globalization has accounted for a canning, freezing, surimi processing, Value addition in seafood sector high demand for these ethnic food etc. Some high-end technologies, viz. covers a wide array of products products and hence approaches minimal processing, irradiation from live commodities to ready-to- towards its popularization by

Indian Farming 38 November 2020 adopting effective processing is a secondary method for preserving development of such nutritious and techniques can bring a huge adoption low value varieties, which convenient food products especially for these commodities. compromised quality. Attempts cereal-based snacks and food Surimi and surimi based towards improving the handling products. Many farmed species products are yet another least practices right from the point of raw with whiter, and tastier flesh are explored area of value addition in material harvesting till marketing, found to best suited for these the country, inspite of having a popularisation of improved innovative products. Further number of lean varieties of species packaging practices, use of hygienic utilization of underutilized fishery globally identified for surimi energy efficient mechanical driers, resources for the formulation of manufacturing. Surimi being a wet and adequate extension services can such products are also highly concentrate of myofibrillar protein, facilitate better adoption of drying recommended. is an intermediate product for the practice in seafood sector. development of highly demanded Although fermentation has Value addition of secondary raw commodities such as sausage and traditionally been used to preserve materials analogue products. Globally, there fresh fish, especially in tropical A considerable quantity of waste is is a constant search for suitable and climates, today it is used to being generated from seafood promisive raw material for surimi enhance nutritive value, improve processing operations about 70% of production. Surimi production appearance and taste, destroy raw material which is alarming, and from farmed species shows huge undesirable factors, and to reduce is costly to dispose. The potential for a variety of value the energy needed for cooking. proteinaceous nature and richness in added products. Furthermore, the However, it takes long duration to biomolecules with medicinal and utilisation of farmed varieties for develop the characteristic features therapeutic value has upgraded the surimi and surimi based products of fermentation. Smoking of fish is value of fish processing waste, will strengthen the link between done primarily for the unique taste classifying it as ‘a certified waste’. increased production and resource and flavour, however, the texture of Process discards, primarily composed utilization. flesh may be affected during the of head, viscera, scale, skin, bone, Thermal processing is a smoking process. Hence, fins, eyes, gills, etc. is a major source technology of great significance in preparation of flavoured products of high value by-products which are many developed countries. Though with typical flavour extracts may be nutritious as well as possess immense expensive, this technique leads to the advised to reduce the process time bioactivity. These include protein and production of a variety of and can be projected as a minimal bioactive peptides, PUFA, convenience products which fetches processing protocol with product collagenous matter, chitin, chitosan, higher margins in export market. diversification scope for chilled glucosamine, minerals, pigments, etc. However, the severe thermal high value fishes like sea bass, Cost effective bulk reduction conditions in this processing cobia, pompano, and grouper. This technologies may be adopted for the technique leads to textural opens up value addition conversion of these valuable discards disintegration, limiting the process opportunities in terms of less to high efficiency products ranging adaptability to a few species like tuna, intense flavour of cultured species from farm supplements such as crab, lobster, shrimps, etc. Hence, owing to the difference in food manure, fertiliser, foliar spray, emerging species for thermal chain followed in captive condition aquaculture and animal feeds etc. to processing is demanded which compared to the basic seaweed high end products having human further broaden the scope of value based food pyramid in marine food and nutraceutical applications. addition. ecosystem. Successful waste management Curing and drying, even though Recently, the global seafood programmes can be implemented by an age-old practice, opens up new market indicate diversification with strengthening the baseline data which dimensions and possibilities towards increased consumer demand includes information on waste value addition in domestic as well as towards more convenient on-the-go generation and disposal, local international markets. In India, as per products, having superior facilities, and major stakeholders the estimates, about 17-20% of the nutritional value. In this line, a involved. Lack of clear legal total catch is converted to dried series of intermediate/low moisture classification of secondary products in products and dry fish export foods such as nutritional bars, meat the international market, lack of contributes to about 7.86% of total flakes, noodles, pastas, etc. have unified protocols for quality fish exports. However there are occupied the modern domestic and assurance and most importantly, several factors hindering the addition export markets. They have a low limitations in know-how with regard of dried fishery products to the water activity (0.7-0.9), stable to the value generation possibilities product profile. The major one being, under ambient conditions for from process discards are the major lack of standard operating procedures longer duration and can be used factors affecting the development of as drying is still pratice in traditional with/ without rehydration. this sector. Development of efficient method of processing. Moreover, Techniques like food extrusion means of networking and establishing there is a general concept that drying provides a great versatility for the inter-industrial linkages between

Indian Farming November 2020 39 potential stakeholders, generation of attractive packaging techniques and Technology up-gradation remains to pilot facilities for testing and advertisement are mandatory for be the key element in value addition demonstration of innovative the successful launch of a new food domain, supported by minimal technologies, encouraging more commodity. This in turn, creates processing options, innovative smart partnership programmes, initiating confidence to the consumers to packaging concepts, intelligent quality and framing public policies against experiment with a new product monitoring systems. Innovative seafood process discard dumping, launched in the market. Most of concepts and product development and its effective utilization are a few the market channels currently used addressing niche markets is an measures that can improve the is not suitable to trade value added important strategy for improving farm current scenario in the sector. products. An effective approach in income. Developing such technologies this regard would be a proper with a feasible business model has Value added products: Market potential chain, linking consumer markets immense industrial potential assuring Seafood processing and directly to the source of supply. additional income to the marketing has become highly entrepreneurs. Inevitably, value competitive that the exporters are SUMMARY addition in seafood sector upgrades shifting towards value addition for Seafood product diversification by seafood chain, as well as development increased margins. Marketing of value addition of main and rest raw of intelligent and smart transportation value added products is highly material can augment marketing of techniques for increased product capital intensive, dynamic, sensitive these commodities in food and quality and stability. and complex, unlike traditional nutraceutical sector. Simultaneously, it seafood trade. Intense market leads to reduced post-harvest losses Corresponding author’s e-mail: studies coupled with attractive contributing to global economic [email protected] presentation by innovative and growth and nutritional security.

HANDBOOK OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Livestock sector has created a significant impact on equity in terms of employment and poverty alleviation. After staple crops, livestock sector is the second most important contributor to the agricultural economy. The producer prices of meat, eggs and milk, in India appear to be highly competitive as the domestic producer prices of these products are quite low compared to the ex-farm gate prices of major exporters in the world markets. A knowledge resource is essential to harness the potential of animal production. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research brought out first edition of Handbook of Animal Husbandry in 1962 for serving the end-users ranging from livestock owners to academicians. This is the Fourth revised and enlarged edition of Handbook of Animal Husbandry which includes 48 chapters under nine sections, such as Animal Genetics and Breeding; Animal Nutrition and Feed Technologies; Animal Management; Animal Reproduction; Animal Health Management; Animal Biotechnology; Animal Products, Technology and Machineries; Economics and Trade of Livestock and Poultry Enterprise; and Social Sciences. It has 19 new chapters like Impact of Biotechnology, Nanotechnology: Applications in Animal Sciences; Carbon Trading: Mechanisms and Opportunities in Livestock Sector; Intellectual Property Rights Regime; Indigenous Technical Knowledge etc.; and old chapters were revised holistically. The fourth revised and enlarged edition of Handbook of Animal Husbandry will prove useful to the students, teachers, livestock/ poultry farmers, and to especially those who visualize the economic growth of country with the support of livestock sector. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS No. of pages : i-x + 1550 • Price : ` 1500 • Postage : ` 100 • ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-086-7 For obtaining copies, please contact: Business Manager Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012 Tel : 011-25843657, Fax 91-11-25841282; e-mail : [email protected]

Indian Farming 40 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 42–45; November 2020 Seaweed farming in India Progress and Prospects

Johnson, B1 and Boby Ignatius*2 ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mandapam Camp, Tamil Nadu 623 520

Seaweeds are exploited commercially for their cell wall polysaccharides such as agar, algin, carrageenan and for manure, fodder and bioactive metabolites. Seaweed also represents an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It is marine macrophytic thallophytes consisting of taxonomically distinguished groups of green (Chlorophyta), brown (Phaeophyta) and red (Rhodophyta) seaweeds. These seaweed resources grow best in the tidal and inter-tidal waters along the peninsular coastline, Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Archipelagos. India is bestowed with more than 0.26 million tonnes (potential yield) wet harvestable biomass of seaweeds belonging to 700 species. Of these, nearly 60 species are economically important for their polysaccharides and secondary metabolites. Approximately 20,000 tonnes (wet weight; i.e., 4,000 tonnes dry weight) of these resources are harvested annually from the wild in India.

Keywords: Agar, Bamboo raft, CadalminTM GAc, ICAR-CMFRI, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture, Livelihood, Seaweed

HE ICAR-Central Marine fragments from mother plants or by Though started in 1972, seaweed T Fisheries Research Institute different kinds of spores. mariculture (agarophytes Gracilaria (CMFRI) has been working on In places which are calm and edulis and Gelidiella acerosa) in India seaweed mariculture and seaweed shallow, raft method (12 × 12 feet remained in low key until the year utilization in India since 1972. bamboo poles) is ideal. Vegetative 2000. Seaweed cultivation with Mandapam Regional Station of fragments inserted ropes are tied to native species has been shown to be CMFRI has developed the the floating raft. In places beset with problems such as grazing technology for commercial scale characterized by moderate wave of seed material and grown up plants cultivation of Gracilaria edulis, an action, shallow depth and the by fishes, longer culture duration and agar yielding red algae, using raft, presence of less herbivorous fishes, slow growth rate of species like coir-rope nets/spore method. This longline or monoline method is ideal. Gelidiella acerosa. Large scale, Station has also developed a cottage Seaweed inserted ropes are tied to the commercial sea-farming of industry method for the manufacture posts planted in the sandy and Kappaphycus alvarezii, a kappa of agar from Gracilaria spp. and muddy bottom of the intertidal carrageenan yielding seaweed started alginic acid from Sargassum spp. regions. First harvest can be made in in 2000 with a backup by PepsiCo during 1980s and demonstrated the 45-60 days depending on the species. India Holdings Ltd. in the coastal agar and algin production to many The tube net method is being waters of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, farmers and entrepreneurs. These adopted in places with higher wave Gujarat and Daman and Diu with demonstrations have paved ways for actions. It is a recent method in technical support from CSIR - development of many small-scale agar which long sleeves (10/25 m long Central Salt and Marine Chemicals industries at Madurai, Tamil Nadu. and 6/10 cm dia.) made of nylon nets Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), (1-1.5 cm mesh) are seeded with Bhavnagar. It is reported that with Seaweed Farming: Current Status vegetative bits that appear like “net the contract farming of Kappaphycus Seaweed farmers in India are tubes”. Both the ends are then tied alvarezii by the fisher folks of east generally small-scale farmers, produce and allowed to float in seawater. coast of India, more than 46,600 crops of (mostly) red algae in small Anchors are used at each end to hold tonnes wet biomass of Kappaphycus patches of intertidal sand flats. The the tube nets steady in the water was produced in a decade during main culture methods involve either column. Harvesting is generally done 2005 to 2015. The market price vegetative propagation using after 60 days. during this period found to increase

Indian Farming November 2020 41 from less than ` 4.5 to 35/kg (dry The economics of Kappaphycus • One family (2 person) can handle weight). The present market price is alvarezii farming as analysed by average 30 rafts (12 × 12 ft) about ` 50/kg (dry weight). ICAR-CMFRI is as follows: • Total Net profit (30 rafts) in fresh However, the production sharply • Seaweed production: 1,000 kg/ weight = 30 × ` 4580 = declined after 2013 due to mass raft/yr- 240 kg as seed material for ` 1,37,400/yr mortality as a result of “ice-ice” 4 crops/yr = 760 kg • One hectare can accommodate disease and the average production of • Price of seaweed: ` 8/kg (wet 400 rafts (12 ft × 12 ft) of cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii in weight)/raft or ` 50/kg/dry seaweeds recent years is only to the tune of 200 weight (Dry weight = 10%) • Total production per ha = 760 kg t (dry weight)/year. At present, • Total revenue generated: ` 6080/ × 400 rafts = 304 tonnes (wet commercial farming is carried out year/ raft @ ` 8/kg/wet weight weight) following three techniques, namely • Total cost of production • Net profit per hectare= 4580 × floating bamboo raft, tube net (net (including capital cost): ` 1500/ 400 = ` 18,32,000/- sleeves), and long lines; of which the raft/yr Considerable research has been former two are widely practiced • Net profit: ` 4580/raft/year carried out on various aspects of (Fig. 1). (` 6080 minus 1500) Indian seaweeds by ICAR-CMFRI.

Fig. 1. Seaweed cultivation

Indian Farming 42 November 2020 Fig. 2. View of harvested farmed Kappaphycus alvarezii Survey of the seaweed resources on mariculture activity can be achieved m diameter and 3.5 m depth with the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Goa, through Integrated Multi-Trophic 1,000 cobia fingerlings). Seaweed Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Aquaculture (IMTA) by integrating rafts integrated with cobia stocked Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala and different groups of commercially cage had a better average yield of Lakshadweep has been completed important aquatic species, which are 320 kg per raft while in the non- and the estimates of total standing having varied feeding habits (Fig. 3). integrated raft, the yield was 144 kg crop of these areas and, in particular, Seaweeds are excellent bio- per raft. An addition of 176 kg of the harvestable quantities of remediating agents and capable of seaweed per raft was achieved due to agarophytes and alginophytes had improving water quality by uptake of the integration with the cobia cage been made (Fig. 2). Annual seaweed dissolved minerals, nitrates, farming. The total amount of carbon harvest estimation (wild collection) ammonia and phosphates. In this sequestered into the cultivated from Indian Coast as well as context, the ICAR-CMFRI has seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) in production through farming in the successfully conducted the integrated and non-integrated sea along the east coast of India is demonstration of Integrated Multi rafts was estimated to be 357 kg and being enumerated periodically by this Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) by 161 kg, respectively. Hence, there is Institute with which potential yield integrating seaweed Kappaphycus an addition of 196 kg carbon credit was estimated. alvarezii farming with cage farming due to integration of 16 seaweed of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum). A rafts (4 cycles) with one cobia Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture total of 16 bamboo rafts (12 × 12 stocked cage (one crop). The (IMTA) feet) with 60 kg of seaweed per raft presence of inorganic extractive The bio-mitigation along with were integrated for a span of 4 cycles components contributes to the increased biomass production in along with one cobia stocked cage (6 periphyton to the aquaculture area

Fig. 3. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

Indian Farming November 2020 43 as well as offer habitat for planktons secondary bioactive metabolites from (CadalminTM ATe) developed from to settle. Seaweeds are known the seaweeds are attracting attention seaweeds to combat dyslipidemia and to release 30-39% of their gross because of the growing demand for hypothyroid disorders, respectively. primary production as dissolved new compounds of ‘marine natural’ These products were also out-licensed organic carbon (DOC) to the origin, having potential applications to a pharmaceutical company. ambient water. in pharmaceutical fields, and CadalminTM Antihypertensive extract concerns about the toxic effects by (CadalminTM AHe), CadalminTM Seaweed mariculture for combating synthetic drugs. Considering the Antiosteoporotic extract climate change impacts importance of the group, ICAR- (CadalminTM AOe), and CadalminTM It is estimated quantitatively that CMFRI and ICAR Central Institute Immunoboost extract (CadalminTM seaweeds are capable of sequestering of Fisheries Technology (ICAR- IBe) from seaweeds are under dissolved CO2 at the rate 80.5 mg/g CIFT) developed research commercialization (Fig. 4). wet weight/day while their rate of programme to systematically search The ICAR-CIFT has developed emission through respiration is only these candidate seaweed species for and commercialized many aqua- 10 mg/g wet weight/day. Large scale the development of promising nutraceuticals in line with the seaweed mariculture has been bioactive molecules for human health regulatory compliances to address the recognized as one of the climate and medication. The active felt demand of the consumers resilient aquaculture techniques to ingredients in the nutraceutical keeping eye on their healthcare and mitigate ocean acidification. Being products are in the concentrated form nutritional requirement and highly autotrophic, seaweed of the purified compounds, and not established its prominence in the vegetation can utilize the carbon the crude extract (350 mg active aqua- nutraceuticals domain. The dioxide for photosynthesis which can principle capped in the products like FucoidanExt, remove the dissolved CO2 from the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose FucoTeaExt, FucoxanthinExt, Seaweed seawater. Seaweed beds and seaweed capsules). Optimized methods were NutriDrink, Seaweed Cookies, Seaweed farms are considered significant CO2 developed to prepare the Yoghurt, Seaweed Sanitizer are some sink and can play active role in concentrated form of the active of the promising seaweed based mitigation and adaptation of climate ingredients from the crude seaweed products developed by the institute. change. It is estimated that the extract, and the active principles were seaweed biomass alone along the stabilized with the natural additives The Way forward Indian coast is capable of utilizing and stabilizing agents. The Seaweed for livelihood: Seaweed 3017 t CO2/day against emission of nutraceutical products were found to mariculture is an economically viable 122 t CO2/day indicating a net have no side effects (LD50 > 5,000 livelihood option for the coastal carbon credit of 2,895 t/day. mg/kg BW) as proved from the fishing community especially for the In experiments involving the preclinical and acute/long term fisherwomen. The seaweed culture of seaweed (Kappaphycus chronic toxicity studies on cultivation requires no land, no fresh alvarezii) in ICAR-CMFRI it was experimental subjects (animal water and no fertilizer or pesticide. estimated that specific rate of models) in the DSIR recognized The large-scale cultivation will sequestration of carbon dioxide hospitals/institutes. enhance rural employment (CO2) by the Kappaphycus is The research work carried out at estimated as 19 kg/day/tonnes of ICAR-CMFRI developed natural dry wt. of seaweed. Hence, large anti-inflammatory supplements scale mariculture of seaweeds enriched with lead molecules as preferably red seaweeds would nutraceutical CadalminTM Green definitely be helpful to check ocean Algal extract (CadalminTM GAe) acidification, which indeed is a from seaweeds to combat rheumatic green technology without the arthritic pains. This product has been involvement of energy, fertilizers out-licensed to the biopharmaceutical and chemical inputs and is not a company for commercial production labour-intensive avocation. and marketing in India and abroad. The research efforts to isolate the lead Seaweeds as prospective resources of molecules with action against type-2 pharmacologically active metabolites, diabetes led to the development of a nutraceutical products and functional nutraceutical product CadalminTM foods Antidiabetic extract (CadalminTM Seaweeds constitute a major share ADe) from marine algae that has of marine flora, and they were been out-licensed to a leading reported to possess structurally Biopharma Company. CadalminTM diverse compounds of various Antihypercholesterolemic extract TM TM bioactivities with potential (Cadalmin ACe) and Cadalmin Fig. 4. CadalminTM Antihypercholesterolemic pharmacological significance. Novel Antihypothyroidism extract extract (CadalminTM ACe)

Indian Farming 44 November 2020 opportunities and improve rural priority. More nutraceuticals and bio-active economy. It was found that the Meeting the requirement of molecules from seaweeds: Considering Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) is above seaweed products and augmenting the diversity of chemical constituents 2.0, which signifies the profitability self-sufficiency in production: The present in seaweeds that are capable of of the activity and it can double the Indian requirement of agar and exerting wide range of bioactivities, a fisher’s income. alginate is about 400 tonnes per growing trend is developing across Need for marine spatial plans and annum and 1,000 tonnes per annum, globe to include seaweeds in leasing policies: Currently, the growth whereas only 30% and less than 40% nutritional and biomedical of seaweed farming is constrained respectively of it has been produced applications. The future programmes primarily by lack of proper marine indigenously. The Indian requirement envisages in developing high value spatial plans. Areas suitable for of carrageenan is 1,500-2,000 tonnes pigments and omega-3-fatty acids seaweed farming in three coastal per annum. The food sector accounts from seaweeds as cardioprotective and states (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and for nearly 70% of the world market antidiabetic supplements. It is also Andhra Pradesh) have been identified for carrageenan. Taking the demand proposed to develop novel seaweed by ICAR-CMFRI. Large-scale on agar, alginate and carrageenan, the liquefaction technology to produce expansion of the seaweed cultivation total annual seaweed requirement in seaweed products, which can be used will necessitate a more complete dry weight basis is 4,000 tonnes of as animal feed, soil conditioners, bio- understanding of the changes that the agar yielding algae; 5,000 tonnes of pesticides, and plant growth farming activity may bring in the alginate yielding algae and 4,500- promoting foliar spray. Work on ecosystem. Most Indian seaweed 6,000 tonnes of carrageenan yielding seaweed-enriched extruded snack cultivation is located in near-shore algae. Hence to improve self foods, soup powder, protein powder, waters, and to overcome inshore sufficiency in seaweed-based pasta, seaweed tuna jerky, noodles, challenges an alternative farming products, large scale farming needs to seaweed based composite scaffolds strategy including expanding to be promoted. and membranes for medical offshore culture systems is Policies and institutional support: application, seaweed based edible and recommended. Seaweed cultivation can be taken up biodegradable packaging materials, Enhancing availability of by fishermen/fisherwomen co- carrageenan-based ointment, seaweed planting materials/seeds: Traditional operatives and self-help groups incorporated fish feed, are underway seaweed farming techniques (SHGs) of the coastal areas. A and are in different stages of involving vegetative propagation minimum price for the farmed development. require a large amount of seed stock seaweeds and opening of marketing biomass. An average of 10-20% of channels for seaweeds also should be SUMMARY harvested material needs to be considered before taking up large Seaweed farming offers immense recycled during seeding procedures. scale farming of seaweeds in the scope as a livelihood opportunity and To improve production of country. Promotion of seaweeds as for developing a large number of by- Kappaphycus in India, developing in healthy food for human consumption products with several applications. vitro cell culture techniques is crucial apart from its use as raw materials for Seaweed farming has the advantage as it facilitates year-round mass the extraction of bioactive of low capital input, as it is a primary supply of seed materials maintained compounds and phyco-chemicals producer requiring no inputs. under controlled conditions. may also be attempted. National Expansion of seaweed farming in the Development of new and improved fisheries development agencies like country will improve the socio- strains of Kappaphycus through strain NFDB can promote seaweed economic status of coastal fishermen/ development and hybridization and consumption through awareness farmers and will be helpful in through protoplast fusion techniques campaigns and seaweed food festivals mitigating the negative effects of are envisaged for production of fast organised throughout the country. climate change while protecting the growing, productive, high- Hence, large scale mariculture of marine ecosystems from ocean temperature-tolerant and fouling- and seaweeds which is a green technology acidification and ocean de- disease-resistant strains. Challenges for their nutraceuticals and other oxygenation. Establishment of seed faced by seaweed farming include secondary metabolites is a dire banks, processing and marketing difficulty in obtaining quality seed necessity which can help mitigate units, marine spatial planning, materials of native species such as major greenhouse gas and can check policies and institutional support are Gracilaria dura, G. debilis especially ocean acidification, while the essential for sustaining seaweed after monsoon rains, natural seaweed farmers can make a living farming. calamities such as cyclonic weather out of the harvest. Appropriate and grazing by herbivores fishes. financing and insurance cover against 1Scientist, 2Principal Scientist, ICAR-Central Import of high-yielding species/ crop losses due to natural calamities Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, varieties and establishment of seed are also the need of the hour to Kerala. 1Corresponding Author: Regional banks for improving the availability further promote seaweed farming in Centre of CMFRI, Mandapam Camp P.O., Tamil Nadu. Corresponding author’s e-mail: of quality seed material to support Indian waters. [email protected] farming activities may be given top

Indian Farming November 2020 45 Indian Farming 70(11): 46–48; November 2020 Wetlands are important carbon sink in the context of global warming and climate change

Subir Kumar Nag*, Bandana Das Ghosh and U.K. Sarkar ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, West Bengal 700 120

Climate change is a truth now as available evidence is undeniable. The emission of greenhouse gases is increasing globally leading to an increase in mean annual temperature which has several consequences. There are mainly two-pronged strategies to cope with this event of GHG emission and global warming i.e. by reducing the emission and/or increasing the capture and removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Wetlands, one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, are a huge carbon sink. So, proper management, restoration of existing wetlands and creation of new wetlands can reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate climate change to some extent.

Keywords: Carbon sequestration, Climate change, Global warming, Wetlands

HE mean global temperature has similar trend was also found in the artificial, permanent or temporary, Tincreased by approximately 1°C case of N2O. with water that is static or flowing, above the pre-industrial level with a fresh, brackish, or salty, including likely range of 0.8-1.2°C and Global Strategies for mitigation of global areas of marine waters, the depth of Warming is likely to reach 1.5°C from warming which at low tide does not exceed six 2030-2052 if it continues to rise in There are mainly two approaches meters’ (Ramsar Convention, 1971). the same pace. A recent United to mitigate the global warming They provide many beneficial Nations report has warned that the caused by GHGs, one by reducing or ecosystem services to humankind like world is heading for an average avoiding the emissions from different harbouring wide and diverse types of temperature rise by 3.2°C by 2100 sources, and another by increasing plants, animals, and microbes which would bring more disaster of the removal of atmospheric carbon. (biodiversity) and protection of climate change and this can happen Governments of different countries, wildlife; source of livelihood; even if all current commitments NGOs and scientific communities fisheries and aquaculture; carbon under Paris Agreement are feel that the mean global annual sequestration; ecotourism, recreation, implemented. The main reason for temperature should not increase and aesthetics; water quality this warming is the changes in the beyond 2 °C above the pre-industrial improvement; groundwater recharge; Earth’s radiative forcing caused by value, which is very challenging. To flood mitigation; coastal line greenhouse gases (GHG), the most achieve this, the global greenhouse protection, etc. importantly carbon-di-oxide (CO2) gas emissions should be reduced by and other major non-CO2 gases viz., 40-70% by mid-century compared Soils in the wetland as a huge carbon CH4 and N2O. Both CO2 and CH4 with the level in 2010, and to near- sink along with N2O contribute to the zero by the end of this century. Of the major carbon pools, the extent of 90% of direct radiative Capturing and storage of pedologic pool is the third largest one forcing of long-lived GHGs. The atmospheric carbon for a long after the oceanic pool and geological concentration of CO2 in the duration through natural or artificial pool (fossil fuel). Carbon stored in atmosphere has increased by 48%, techniques are one of the important soils exceeds the amount of carbon from 280 ppmv in 1,750 to 415 strategies to lower CO2 concentration stored in biomass worldwide. The ppmv in 2019 due to emissions in the atmosphere. pedologic pool consists of soil caused by human activities. organic carbon (SOC) and soil Atmospheric CH4 has increased from Wetlands inorganic carbon (SIC). SOC pool is 700 ppb to 1,866 ppb over the same Wetlands are ‘areas of marsh, fen, estimated at 1,550 Pg and SIC at 950 period accounting 167% increase. A peatland, or water, whether natural or Pg up to 1 m depth. Soils of wetlands

Indian Farming 46 November 2020 are particularly rich reserves of carbon and store it in sediments for a • Restoration of degraded wetlands carbon. Wetlands and associated soils very long period, at the same time and creation of new wetlands constitute a large pedologic pool they can also act as a source of • Control drainage and other land estimated at approximately 450 Pg GHGs, particularly methane (CH4) and water management practices which is about one-third of total which is 21 times more potent in which lead to dewatering of SOC stored in soils. Wetland soils global warming than CO2. Wetlands wetlands and oxidation may contain 200 times more carbon are considered as the largest natural • Control fires including deep burns than the associated vegetation. source of CH4 which results from • Allow natural revegetation to Soils of wetlands play an unusual methanogenesis occurring in the occur role in the global carbon cycle. sediments. They contribute 109-145 • Control peat harvesting and other -1 Carbon accumulates in wetland soils Tg CH4 y i.e. 20-25% of global removals of carbon from wetlands because of high rates of plant CH4 emission. Wetlands can also act • Public awareness and legal productivity and low rates of as a source of CO2 when protection decomposition in these ecosystems. decomposition of organic matter The net primary productivity (NPP) outpaces production. In addition, Indian scenario of freshwater wetlands is very high seasonal wetlands and those which India has a vast area under compared to various ecosystems are occasionally drained for wetland. The flood plain area covers including tropical forests. Due to agricultural and other purposes in around 0.55 million ha. Besides, these facts production usually exceeds many parts of the world can also there are about 0.72 million ha decomposition in wetlands and become a significant source of upland lakes. The flood plain results in the net accumulation of atmospheric CO2. wetlands are mostly spread in Uttar organic matter and carbon. However, in spite of the release of Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam carbon through the emission of CH4 and few other North-Eastern states Factors affecting carbon accumulation and and CO2, the net sequestration of like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, sequestration in wetland carbon takes place over time in Meghalaya, and Tripura. The soils of The accumulation of carbon and wetlands. Therefore, in the context of most of these wetlands have a high its subsequent sequestration in the above discussion, it is quite concentration of carbon (~4-10%) as sediments of different wetlands vary apparent that appropriate compared to agricultural/upland soils. as it is controlled by several factors management strategies should be As part of an adaptation and like wetland type, climatic cycle, adopted to maintain and further mitigation strategy for climate topography and landscape position, enhance the carbon reserve in change due to global warming, at our primary productivity, macrophyte wetlands for the sake of protecting institute we attempted to find out the diversity and coverage, depth into the the earth from global warming and carbon sequestration potential of sediment, temperature, hydrology, climate change. different wetlands by measuring oxidation-reduction potential, primary carbon capture and ultimate salinity, land use, etc. The carbon Management practices to protect C- carbon accumulation in soils of sequestration rate in gram carbon stores in wetland different wetlands in West Bengal and per square meter area per year (g C • Conservation of wetlands and Assam through our work under m-2y-1) of different types of wetlands their sustainable use as natural National Innovation on Climate around the world is given in Table 1. habitats Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Aquatic plants have a very important role in carbon Table 1. Carbon sequestration in different types of wetlands accumulation in a wetland. Plants use Wetland type g C m-2y-1 Reference atmospheric CO2 for photosynthesis and after their death and decay, General average for peatlands 12-25 Malmer (1975) General range for wetlands 20-140 Mitra et al. (2005) organic matter is added to the Peatlands (North America) 29 Gorham (1991) wetland bottom. This has a profound Peatlands (Alaska and Canada) 8-61 Ovenden (1990) effect on carbon sequestration in Boreal peatlands 15 -26 Turunen et al. (2002) wetland soil. It has been observed Temperate Peatlands (North America) 10-46 -do- through experiments that carbon Thoreau’s Bog, Massachusetts 90 Hemond (1980) assimilation of many wetland plants Thoreau’s papyrus wetland, Uganda 480 Saunders et al. (2007) (eg., Phragmites sp.) is increased due Created temperate marshes, Ohio 180-190 Anderson and Mitsch (2006) Prairie pothole wetlands, 305 Euliss et al. (2006) to the elevation of CO2. Thus, North America Restored carbon sequestration in wetland soil (semi-permanently flooded) could be enhanced if the primary Reference wetlands 83 productivity of the aquatic plant is Tropical wetland, Indonesia 56 (24000 yr) Page et al. (2004) increased. 94 (last 500 yr) Flow through freshwater wetlands Bernal and Mitsch (2008) Ohio (temperate) 124-160 Wetlands are also a source of GHGs Costa Rica (humid tropical) 250-260 Although wetlands can sequester Sewage fed wetland, Kolkata 124.5-249.05 Nag et al. (2019)

Indian Farming November 2020 47 project. The studied wetlands were amount of carbon from all these Conclusion seasonally open or closed system input sources will not be Wetlands are one of the most floodplains, excepting one which was incorporated into the sediments or important and useful resources gifted a sewage fed Ramsar site in East soils. But only a fraction of it, by nature to us. They do have the Kolkata. The net algal primary depending on biogeochemical, best capacity among the different productivity of these wetlands varied microbial and other factors, would be ecosystems to capture, sequester and from 150–880 mg-C/m3/h which can accumulated in sediments and soil retain carbon through permanent add 4.21-24.67 Mg-C/ha/year and remain there for a considerable burial. Sequestration of atmospheric (tonnes/ha/year). The seasonal time as sequestered carbon. It is CO2 into soil organic carbon could average aquatic macrophytes observed that 49-157 Mg-C/ha were be very significant in stabilizing the coverage in these wetlands was accumulated up to 0.3 m depth into concentration of this GHG in the between 10–40% which has the soils in different wetlands. The atmosphere and in achieving the potential of adding 18.8–75.3 kg C/ corresponding figures in reference target of the Kyoto Protocol set by ha/year. Carbon dissolved in water is upland sites was in the range of 26- the United Nations in 1997 which also an input source of carbon into 49 Mg-C/ha, which clearly indicates was set into effect in 2005. the soil. The ground water recharge that wetland soils can store 2-4 times Therefore, we need to take all helps incorporation of dissolved or even higher amount of carbon measures for protection, carbon into sediments and soil. The than the upland terrestrial soils. conservation, and creation of average dissolved carbon content in However, capacity of the wetlands to wetlands for the better future of our the wetlands under our study varied capture and store carbon in soil varies next generation. from 14–51 ppm, which can add 90– depending on their nature. The 327 kg C/ha/year. However, as macrophyte abundance and diversity *Principal Scientist (Agricultural Chemistry), organic matter decomposition and has been found to have a positive Corresponding author’s e-mail: microbial respiration occurring impact of carbon accumulation is [email protected] simultaneously in the system, total wetland soils.

To reverse the loss of environmental resources and also to reduce biodiversity loss, the Government of India has Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as part of the National Agricultural Policy. Integrated Pest Management emphasizes the growth of a health crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms. IPM is not new – mechanical, cultural and biological tactics were used by farmers for hundreds of years before chemical pesticides became available. Besides, there are IPM techniques that have been developed more recently and are effective in suppressing pests without adversely affecting the environment. The task of spreading the message of IPM across is tough due to poor awareness about the subject among people in line-departments as also among the farmers. The information on integrated pest management as a whole is scattered. This Handbook comprehensively deals with all the aspects of integrated pest management in field crops, horticultural crops under traditional, protected systems. Information on basic strategies and tactics of different methods of management including mass production of biocontrol agents, IPM policy and pesticide registration is provided in comprehensive form. The Handbook of Integrated Pest Management comprises 82 chapters which are well written in lucid language with crispy sentences by the renowned scientists. The role of IPM is elucidated with different pests like Trichogramma, Bacillus thuringiensis, Nomuraea rileyi etc. and agricultural crops like rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, pulses, soybean, rapeseed mustard, groundnut, minor-oilseed crops, sugarcane, cotton, jute and mesta, potato, vegetable crops, fruits, grapes, citrus, banana, pomegranate, coconut etc. This Handbook will provide information of available useful technologies to educate on how to reduce or judiciously use chemical pesticides, safeguard ourselves from chronic poisoning, save the National environment while also reducing input costs and raise farmers’ income. This compilation will be useful to teachers, students, trainers, line-department personnel and policy makers. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS No. of pages : i-x + 768 • Price : ` 1500 • Postage : Rs 100 • ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-179-6 For obtaining copies, please contact: Business Manager Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012 Tel : 011-25843657, Fax 91-11-25841282; e-mail : [email protected]

Indian Farming 48 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 49–53; November 2020 Coldwater fish farming in Indian Himalayan region: Challenges and opportunities

Debajit Sarma and Suresh Chandra ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand 263 136

Indian Himalayan region is abounds in innumerable rivers, streams and lakes. Of these, upland aquatic resources and mid-Himalayan region laying in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, part of West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya in the Himalayan range and Western Ghats like the Munnar high ranges in Kerala, Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu and Bababudang hills in Karnataka are some of the potential areas offering enough resources for coldwater fish farming in the country. Under the influence of lower temperature regime, the farming of selected cold water fast growing species i.e. rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), exotic major carps i.e. grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp ( Hypopthalamichthys molitrix) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and few exotic ornamental fishes and minor carps are in practice among the people of Indian Himalayan region.

Keywords: ICAR-DCFR, Polytask, Rainbow trout, Recirculating aquaculture system, Trout raceway

Rainbow trout farming in raceways and Himachal Pradesh are forerunner Leh- Laddak, Sikkim, Arunachal Among all the coldwater cultivable in promoting rainbow trout farming Pradesh, Nagaland and also in high fish species, rainbow trout has been in private sector. The highest trout reaches of Uttarakhand. Seed considered as a promising candidate producer states in India are Jammu production of trout is mainly in species in hill fish farming and its and Kashmir with a table size trout Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh large scale seed production and production of 700 MT and 13.4 and Uttarakhand in central culture is being carried out in several million trout ova production. Himalaya. However, with the fish farms in Kashmir, Himachal Himachal Pradesh is the second DCFR’s tiring efforts, seed Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal highest producer (650 MT) in the production of trout has further been Pradesh and Sikkim (Fig. 1). The country. DCFR is further giving extended in Sikkim and of late in basic requirement for establishing a technical support and conducting Arunachal Pradesh. At present the trout farm is availability of good demonstration program for trout production in the country is quality and quantity of snow fed expanding trout culture activities in over 1,500 tonnes (2018-19). The spring water where rainbow trout is a temperature throughout Total Fish Production (MT) highly expensive fish to the year is below 200C. (2018-19) cultivate in the farms There are about 35 small 380 and as a luxury food and big trout hatcheries beyond the reach of the with an estimated eyed common man is still ova production capacity 5000 holding well amongst of 15 million are present 6000.186 Jammu & Kashmir the fisheries planners. in the country which Himachal Pradesh Being a low volume have been mostly 21000 high value commodity, established by the Uttaranchal the trout has good various state potential for domestic Arunachal Pradesh governments and also consumptions as well as with the assistance of 14000.84 Sikkim foreign export. Presently central government the rainbow trout has schemes. The states of been established in Jammu and Kashmir Fig. 1. Total fish production from Himalayan States is 46,381 MT Indian water and is a

Indian Farming November 2020 49 Fig. 2. Trout raceways cultivable species with cool, clean and promising and remunerating high energy requirement in RAS (16 well oxygenated flowing water (Fig. livelihood opportunity in Indian kWh per kg fish) can be overcome by 2). Cool, clean and well oxygenated uplands due to the abundance of cold strategically reducing energy usage to flowing water is the prime need for freshwater sources. Nevertheless, a significant extent by optimizing the successful culture of rainbow with changes in the demographic water re-circulation and oxygenation trout. Raceways of 30-150 sq m with pattern and competition for requirements. Besides, clean energy depth of 1 m used for the production resources, huge amount of water sources (e.g. solar energy which is of table sized trout fish (300-400 g). required in conventional flow- adequately available in hilly regions) This system is feed based culture in through raceway system trout farms and biogas produced from fish waste continuous flowing water known as (FTRS), makes the activity sludge can be utilized to make RAS raceway farming. The stocking unsustainable in the long-term. To based rainbow trout farming more density is also dependent on quality illustrate, to maintain 1000 kg of sustainable. Further, by controlling and quantity of available water trout at a stocking density of 25 Kg/ water temperature in RAS, it is volume. Healthy seed is stocked at m3 in an FTRS, a water flow rate of possible to reduce crop duration to 5- the rate of 5-10 fingerlings/sq m 600L/minute is required. As such, 6 months (as compared to the 12-14 under suitable water temperature and 50-200 m3 of water (depending on months cycle in FTS) and augment sufficient good quality protein rich the different methods of calculation) production per unit time. (40%) feed supply, trout attains 300- is required to produce 1 kg of In this regard, ICAR-Directorate 500 g size after 10-12 months with rainbow trout in FTRS, which is of Coldwater Fisheries Research, stocking of advanced fingerlings. apparently not sustainable with Bhimtal has initiated a study for the Technology is farm based and eco- diminishing water resources and feasibility of RAS for rainbow trout friendly to achieve production of 10- limits rainbow trout farming in the Indian context. ICAR-DCFR 15 kg/sq m. There is ample scope for activities to an only specific region of designed and installed a RAS, enhancement of trout production in Indian uplands. Therefore, it is time consisting of four 7 m3 large culture hill states through participatory to adopt climate-resilient and tanks for grow-out production and approach. The present trout intensive farming practices, which 18 (0.5 m3 each) juvenile rearing and production of the country is around involves maximum utilization (reuse) experimental tanks with available 1500 MT which may be enhanced of available land and water resources, rearing volume of 33 m3 (Fig. 3). upto 10000 MT easily with the to facilitate the blue revolution fish The system consists of radial flow adoption of recent technology and production targets by 2030. It is separators and mesh screen drum with the help of best management important to note that scientific filter to remove settable and practices. Trout has good potential advances in Recirculating suspended solids and two moving- for domestic consumptions as well as Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have bed biological filter to remove foreign export. It provides an reduced the water requirement in ammonia and nitrite, and a UV filter excellent opportunity for utilizing the trout culture by several folds (less for disinfection. The water is re- abundant aquatic upland resources than 1 m3 of water per kg fish circulated with the help of water and for livelihood and nutritional production), with stocking densities pumps continuously. With the security to the hill community as high as 100 Kg/m3. Comparison current pilot-scale RAS set up, it is through fetching of a very good of the environmental impact of FTS possible to produce 1.2 MT of trout market price restaurants. and RAS suggests that RAS reduces per crop cycle (2.4 MT per year, at water dependency by 93%, the stocking density 40 kg per m3). Rainbow trout farming in re-circulating eutrophication potential by 26-38%, The production can be increased to aquaculture system and improves food conversion ratio ~5.0 MT per year with the help of Rainbow trout farming has been a by 27%. Even the bottom side of pure oxygen for oxygenation and

Indian Farming 50 November 2020 A pilot scale rainbow trout Recirculating Aquaculture System Harvesting rainbow trout from RAS Fig. 3. Rainbow trout farming at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal addition of CO2 stripper and protein enhanced growth of fish. Around 76 applied to ensure consistent growth skimmer to system. In the trial, ~ farmers in the Champawat and of plankton. Stunted fish of the size 250kg of rainbow trout are harvested Almora districts of Uttarakhand have of 50-80 g are stocked at the rate of and sold from two of the grow-out already adopted the technology. 5000-6000 fish/ha with species ratio tanks, and observation indicates that Recently, DCFR imported improved of 40:30:30 for catla and silver carp growth rates are much faster in RAS Hungarian strain of scale carp and (surface feeder), rohu and grass carp compared to FTRS (100 g to 800 g mirror carp and the farm raised (column feeder) and mrigal and in four months) due to controlled improved strain of common carp was common carp (bottom feeder), water parameters. Currently, we are propagated for aquaculture respectively. Supplementary feed, testing the system for complete promotion in hill states which gave prepared from locally available production cycles and economic very promising results having 35- ingredients such as oil cake, rice feasibility of the RAS system for 40% better growth over the existing polish/bran is given @ 2-3% of the rainbow trout farming in the Indian old stock of introduced common body weight. Vegetable waste/ scenario. RAS system can carp. In the upland waters the Indian terrestrial grass is used for grass carp significantly contribute to increase in major carps do not grow well, due to feeding. Two crops of 6 months each trout production due to the fact that the low thermal regime. Therefore, can be achieved with average the RAS farming practices can be Chinese carps were taken as the production of 2.5-3 t/ha (total annual done from nearly anywhere in the candidate species for polyculture. production- 5-6 MT/ha). With an Indian upland region with limited Seed in the form of fry is being used expenditure of ` 2,700/100m2, a water availability and lower land for stocking grow-out ponds, which gross income of ` 7,200/100m2 has footprints which otherwise require 12 months to get the table been achieved with a net return of impossible with current farming size fish (>1 kg). The average fish 167%. Profitability (` 4,500/100m2). practices in flow through raceways. production in the existing system is There is great scope for disseminating Moreover, ICAR-DCFR is also 2.6 t/ha which can be doubled this promising technology in sub to working on development of through technological support, mid Himalayan belt in order to affordable and economically viable quality seed, feed and improved upgrade the socio-economic prototypes for small scale RAS trout management practices. Crop duration conditions of the inhabitants. There production systems which can be may be reduced to half with the is a need of introduction of large scale operated by small scale farmers and practice of stocking of stunted fish of farming to bring the country on will be disseminating soon to the 50-80 g. However, provision of seed International scenario. The linkage of Indian hill fish farmers. banks is required for round the year public and private sector is availability of stocking material to the mandatory in order to further Polyculture of exotic carps farmers. The carp culture practice development of this technique. The In the upland waters, Chinese may also be integrated with dairy, farmers in the hill region have carps are commonly cultured in the poultry and horticulture keeping the integrated type of farming pattern. mid-Himalayan region as the fish pond as nucleus in view of Fish can serve as an additional source candidate species for polyculture. The increasing productivity, reducing risk of income if integrated with the hill culture of Chinese carps were and production cost. agriculture. introduced in the polytanks/ Composite culture of rohu, catla, irrigation tanks in the mid altitude mrigal, grass carp, silver carp and Polyculture in polyline tanks regions. The technology provided common carp in earthen ponds of the The Chinese carp based mixed opportunities for conservation of size of 0.1-0.4 ha is advisable for the culture have shown positive results water for irrigation and fish culture. foot hill region (800-1000 msl). Raw fetching average 340 g/m2 in an The use of polytanks has shown cow dung (RCD) @ 9000 kg/ha/yr is extended culture period of over one

Indian Farming November 2020 51 year. However, this limited holding capacity which limits the like Barilius, Tor chilinoides, Garra, production can further be raised up production cycle and farm activities. Schistura, Nemacheilus including to 700 g/m2 by adopting multi-tier This is the main cause of migration exotic gold and koi carp have been model for integrated fish farming of the young people to the plains for established in DCFR, Bhimtal using polytanks. These plastic earning their livelihood. In this campus. The focus of the technology (silpaulin) film lined ponds are context, this model has a lot of scope is to establish culture and breeding of suitable for rainwater harvesting in to intensify in the mid hills for ornamental fishes in the backyard or uplands where scarcity of water increasing the productivity of the Kitchen garden in upland rural areas. becomes major bottleneck in land that can help in ensuring Depending upon the space and agricultural production or nutritional and livelihood security in available resource, the unit is diversification from poorly the hills which ultimately, would established. For establishing a 30 sq remunerative production to decrease the pressure on the feet with 5 feet deep UV resistant scientifically recommended metropolitan cities since this would polylined tank including labour and production considering local climatic check the migration from hills to input cost is about ` 2,500. Total and soil advantages. In Himalayan plains. There is great scope for about 350 fishes can be stocked with hilly tracts, such ponds are being used disseminating this promising a survival of 300 with a sale value @ for rainwater harvesting or storing technology in sub to mid Himalayan ` 25/piece in hills is about ` 7,500 the water from low discharge springs belt in order to upgrade the socio- with an approximate net income of which otherwise cannot be directly economic conditions of the ` 5,000 per year. The small used for irrigation purposes. inhabitants. With an expenditure of landholding in the hills with marginal ` 3,000/100m3 a gross income of agricultural and allied activities is The following steps are involves in the ` 11,200/100m3 was achieved with directly affecting the economic status preparation of polytank net return of 273%. of the population (Fig. 4). The Digging of the pond (100 m3 intervention of ornamental fish from 80 to 100 m2 land area), Ornamental fish farming in hills culture in the tribal regions will help removing sharp edge material (stone The demand of ornamental fishes in upbringing the livelihood pieces) embedded on the walls and is increasing remarkably due to their opportunities. Ornamental fish the bottom of the pond. Plastering important role in the world trade for keeping in house, hotels, offices are the inside wall and bottom by using a fish and fishery production. The the general practices by much reason mixture of fine soil and water mixture export of ornamental fishes from (fascination/recreation/aesthetic to smooth them. Lining the pond’s India is worth only US$ 0.2 million, value) which will create livelihood walls and bottom with polythene/ which is not sufficient with regard to opportunities in the hill areas. silpaulin (200-250 g per meter). the rising demand of these beautiful Advanced Fingerlings (20-25 g) of coloured species in the world Upland rice-fish culture silver carp, grass carp, improved ornamental fish market. The Potential The rice-fish wetlands are common carp and minor carp are ornamental fishes of the coldwater important resources in the state of stocked at the rate of 3-4 fish/m3. resources are Barilius species, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Vegetable waste/terrestrial grass is Namacheilus species, Botia species, Meghalaya, Manipur and parts of used for grass carp feeding @ 20% of Puntius species Garra species and also Assam. A large area in Apatani total fish biomass daily. Waste of few exotic species are unique for aqua plateau in Ziro valley of Lower grass carp in the form of faecal gardening. This diversity is yet to be Subansiri district of Arunachal matter acts as manure in pond water explored for breeding and culture Pradesh, several districts of Nagaland and enrich the plankton production practice which may have great and other Northeastern states is which is the natural feed for silver coldwater ornamental fish value. being cultivated under rice-fish carp. Some part of the faecal matter A germplasm repository of seven culture (Fig. 5 and 6). The fish is directly eaten by common carp. cold water ornamental fish species production in these fields is at present Stored water in the poly tanks also acts as buffer stock and is used for the irrigation of horticulture crops. This water remains rich in nitrogen content and also acts as manure for horticulture plot. In hills, the agriculture is mainstay of the inhabitants but the average land holding is 700-900 m2 compared to national average 1370 m2. The soil productivity is less due to marked water shortage during the summer in the streams of hills, soil is gravelly and porous that has low water Fig. 4. Ornamental fish farming in hills

Indian Farming 52 November 2020 Fig. 5. Upland rice-fish culture is low (215-290 kg/ha) and scientific are also obstacles in the development Future Scope intervention is required to enhance and expansion of coldwater fish Under scientific management and the productivity. Higher productivity production. through application of modern from rice-fish plots can be achieved The major constraints are cost techniques, significant scope exists for by stocking bigger size (3-4") of intensive activity, slow growth rate promoting trout farming, which in quality fingerlings at appropriate leading to less output, lack of long run, will have both domestic and density of fish (1-2 fish/m2) and infrastructure (e.g. Raceways, export demand. There is also a great redesigning proper sized trenches in Hatcheries, and Transport etc.), costly potential for sport fishery the field for providing shelter to the inputs (less availability of seed, feed development and ecotourism in hill fishes. Of course, nutrient and natural for culture), habitat destruction, lack regions. Ornamental fish culture for fish food available have to be taken of commercial/cluster approach for small scale enterprises in the hills can into account to decide the practices farming, non-adaption of fisheries as provide an alternative source of of organic fertilizers and main stream profession by local employment. Presently DCFR has supplementary feed. There are population and lake of organised different available technologies for the possibilities to enhance the market for selling high value fish like hill aquaculture, resource productivity to 3-4 times. Never the trout. management and conservation. Three less, large sections of upland ponged fish farming has been population including women are The key strategies to be adopted to standardized and also disseminated to dependent of rice fish culture in NE address the challenges and tap the the farmers of different hill states of region and it gives livelihood and opportunities are: the country. Chinese carp based nutritional security to the particular • Promotion of trout farming in polyculture technology has been tribes of Indian Himalayan region. areas above 1,500 msl having popularized and also adopted by temperature range of 4-12. farmers in Arunachal Pradesh, Challenges in coldwater fisheries • Poly culture in hill regions Manipur and Uttarakhand. Trout development between 700 and 1,500 msl with farming and seed production The constraints of coldwater fish suitable land and water resources technology has also been introduced farming are low productivity of for carp culture. in the state of Sikkim and Arunachal upland waters due to comparatively • The eco-climatic conditions of the Pradesh. Aquaculture diversification is slow growth rate in almost all fish foothills and river valleys located the key of fish production species except rainbow trout, coupled up to 500 MSL are suitable for enhancement in the hill states and also with low fecundity in fishes. Further, composite culture of carps. Such one of the most important needs of poor landing and marketing facility sites are available in the the hour. It is believed that the catchments of the introduction of Recirculatory Himalayan and Aquaculture System for rainbow trout peninsular rivers, farming will definitely be a game streams and their changer for improving the status of tributaries. The coldwater fish production in the carp farming country and will play a significant role would be, in improving the livelihood and therefore success- nutritional security of the upland ful in the valleys population of Indian Himalayan and peripheral region. regions located in the temperature Corresponding author’s e-mail: range between [email protected] Fig. 6. Traditional rice fish culture in Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh 15 to 25°C.

Indian Farming November 2020 53 Indian Farming 70(11): 54–56; November 2020 Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to bring “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” in fisheries and aquaculture

Rajeev Ranjan1 Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India

Fisheries and aquaculture is a sunrise sector in India, which is the fastest growing and the most profitable among agriculture and allied sectors that made impressive strides in achieving a robust average annual growth rate of 10.88% in the last five years. The sector provides vital livelihood directly to over 2.8 crore fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors and indirectly to several crore people along the entire value chain. Apart from providing gainful employment, the sector contributed about 1.24% to National Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 7% to the agricultural GVA during 2018-19.

Keywords: Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, DARE-ICAR, Nutrients, Ornamental fisheries, PMMSY, Seaweed

NDIA is the second-largest fish Nirbhar Bharat Package at an ` 1,00,000 crores, generating Iproducing country in the world estimated investment of ` 20,050 sustainable employment for over 55 and shares 7.58% of global crores in order to drive sustainable lakh people and doubling fishers and production. Fish production in India and responsible development of the fish farmers’ incomes. has registered an average annual sector while ensuring socio-economic growth of 7.53% during the last five welfare of fishers, fish farmers, fish Scope for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in the years and stood at an all-time high of workers and fish vendors. PMMSY, fisheries sector 141 lakh tonnes during the year with the highest ever investment in Through the promulgation of the 2019-20. Since 2017, India has the history of the fisheries sector, will Aatma Nirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant become the 4th major exporter of fish be implemented in all States and India, the honourable Prime Minister and fishery products, boosted by a Union Territories over a period of 5 of India envisions the revival of the steep increase in farmed shrimp years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25 as country’s socio-economic circum- production spearheaded by an ‘umbrella scheme’. Further, the stances that got severely affected due Littopenaeus vannamei. The major scheme intends to promote focused to the COVID-19 Pandemic. commodity of the export basket is fisheries development in strategic Rebuilding India by making it self- frozen shrimp, which accounts for areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, reliant will be a critical task for India, about 70% in terms of the value of Ladakh, North-East Region and since being the nation with the the total fish and fishery product Aspirational Districts by identifying world’s second-largest population exports. Moreover, India has become community needs, leveraging local size, where more than 65% of the the top country in the export of knowledge and building on area- population encompasses the rural frozen shrimps all around the world, specific strengths and capabilities. Indians. As the food production accounting for around 24.9% of the In an endeavour to consolidate the sectors are the backbone of the nation, total global shrimp exports. fisheries’ sectoral gains and boost strengthening the sectors like Recognizing the immense economic growth, PMMSY sets out agriculture, animal husbandry and potential of the fisheries and ambitious goals for the next five years fisheries would have their pivotal roles aquaculture sector and which include increasing fish to play to achieve the targets of Aatma acknowledging its significance to the production up to 220 lakh tonnes, Nirbhar Bharat in the coming years. economy, the Government of India increasing aquaculture productivity Over the years, fisheries and has approved a new flagship scheme, from the current national average of aquaculture have evolved from an the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada 3-5 tonnes per ha, doubling exports informal and fragmented sector, to Yojana (PMMSY) under Aatma from ` 46,589 crores (2018-19) to become a pivotal engine of the Indian

Indian Farming 54 November 2020 economy due to the remarkable Fish consumption and Value chain areas. It is estimated that, if the intervention of the Government development number of aquarium hobbyists in the during the last decades, in form of India is witnessing a huge country could be raised to policy and financial support under challenge in addressing the food approximately 3% of the urban various schemes such as Centrally security and malnutrition issues, households from the current level of Sponsored Scheme- Blue revolution scaled up by the population size and 1.25% by 2025, the domestic (CSS-BR, during 2015-20), Fisheries the huge proportion of around 60% aquarium trade can be raised and Infrastructure Development of which resides in rural India. The manifold. As far as the aquarium Fund (FIDF-launched during 2018- existing production systems, as well industry is concerned, the ornamental 19), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to as value chain may not be sufficient fish contributes only about 20% to fishers and Fish farmers. to ensure the availability and total domestic aquarium trade in However, achieving Aatma equitable distribution of nutritious India. It is mainly the aquarium and Nirbhar in the Fishery sector in the food to the growing population. Fish aquarium accessories that constitutes country needs more focused attention is a superior and affordable source of about 63% to domestic aquarium on its various subsectors which are protein to other animal source foods, trade. But, the major requirement of detailed below. and it is rich in essential nutrients aquarium accessories (about 90%) is such as vitamins and minerals. These met through imports. Aquaculture of food fishes are precisely the nutrients essential to The Government of India has Presently, the Indian aquaculture is prevent wasting and stunting of the recognized that, technological dependent on a few species of major human body. It is for that reason that advancements in indigenous carps and prawns, though there are a the global initiatives have recently ornamental fish breeding and the number of species in line for which made pleas to put fish higher on the accessories manufacturing sector and the mass production methods are yet agenda targeting malnutrition. financial support to small and medium to be commercialized. Freshwater Therefore, it is the Government scale units in the country, could aquaculture is centered around the through the interventions under potentially scale up the production of major carps, whereas the PMMSY, envisages to increase the quality offspring’s combatable to trade brackishwater aquaculture is almost average per capita fish consumption in and bring in more indigenous units of synonymous to the shrimp the country in the tune of 11-12 kg/ aquarium accessory manufacturing in aquaculture, exceptionally dominated person/year from the current levels of the country. The intervention will by the exotic, Pacific white shrimp, 5 kg/ person/year. The attempts will result in a significant reduction in Littopenaeus vannamei. The L. direct towards the mission of import of high value ornamental fishes vannamei at present, contributes alleviating hunger and ensure food as well as aquarium accessories and around 90% of the total cultured security in the coming years through there by achieving self-reliance in the shrimp production in the country. support for sustainable aquatic food sector. Therefore, under the Pradhan Therefore, developmental strategies production. PMMSY also targets a Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana through PMMSY gives due attention reduction in post-harvest losses from (PMMSY), an investment of ` 576 towards diversification of aquaculture 25% to 10% in the coming years. The Crore is proposed exclusively for the through indigenous varieties of finfish Government is working for achieving development of ornamental fisheries and shellfish species for furthering self- these targets by creating conducive in the country in coming five years. reliance in the farming sector. environment in terms of food fish Apart from species diversification, production systems, popularizing the Seaweed cultivation scaling up of production is the need health benefits of fish consumption Seaweed farming is another area of the hour, which is another crucial and ensuring the fish availability all which has high potential in terms of aspect, that the government is over the country. Along with mass employment generation and looking for, through the focused increasing production to meet the demands self-reliance in its various interventions under PMMSY. Recent domestic demand in the coming years, stages along the value chain. Seaweeds estimates show that, there is a gap of emphasis is also be laid on addressing are the marine algae which are one of about 30-35% existing between the critical gaps in the value chain through the potential renewable resources of actual seed requirement and technology infusion, improved the oceans. The utility offered by the availability in the Indian aquaculture quality, hygiene of fish and fish seaweed bio-resources are mainly sector. PMMSY addresses the products, value addition, demand- attributed by the phyco-colloid stumbling blocks in upscaling the based branding and marketing. industries. Agar, algin and carrageenan fish production throughout the are the three polysaccharides obtained country by the establishment of Ornamental fisheries from seaweeds, which have over 200 adequate number of brood banks, Ornamental fisheries sector in the identified extensive industrial uses. hatcheries, seed rearing units, feed country has a huge potential in terms Out of the global seaweed production mills and ensuring indigenous of unique varieties of fishes with high of 32.4 million tonnes of fresh weight, production of specific pathogen-free/ ornamental value and the increasing India does not contribute much at resistant seed as well as genetically number of aquarium hobbyists in the present. Although there are number of improved broodstock. country particularly in the urban seaweed-based industries in India,

Indian Farming November 2020 55 which are not functioning up to their fleet and artisanal fishers, support is envisaged to reach out to over 10 rated capacity due to short-supply of under PMMSY will be provided to lakh fishers and farmers through raw materials. It has been estimated traditional fishermen for acquiring web-based training and awareness in that, only about 30% of the annual deep sea fishing vessels, promotion of a fixed time frame. Towards this end, domestic agar requirement and 40% of technologically advanced fishing 150 Fisheries potential districts alginates has been met by indigenous vessels and fishing gear for including all 77 coastal Districts are production. Rest of the domestic fishermen/fishermen groups through proposed for taking up in the first demand is still met by imports and State/UT governments. Training and phase by drawing the expertise of present situation demands more self- capacity building for undertaking ICAR- fisheries Institutes, KVKs and reliance in the sector to align towards deep-sea fishing will also be Fisheries Universities/ colleges. the slogan of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in supported under PMMSY, in terms of seaweed-based industry and collaboration with other important Strategies for Implementation value chain. maritime nations. Committed to attaining its targets, It is therefore under PMMSY, PMMSY works in the domain of envisaged to revolutionize the Mobilization of Human resource and cooperative federalism, built on a seaweed farming and value chain in support to entrepreneurship in fisheries structured and robust implementation the country with an increase in The Government is considering framework which inter-alia includes production manifold from the current the fact that scaling up production institutional mechanisms for levels to about 11.2 Lakh tonnes of and making the sector self-reliant establishing Program Units, State wet weight in the coming 5 years. require engaging more new people in level Approval and Monitoring Under PMMSY, a total investment of its various sub-sectors and capacity committees in all States/UTs along ` 640 crores is exclusively earmarked building of existing work force, that with District and Sub-district level for the development of seaweed needs some levels of training, units for preparation of Integrated cultivation and value chain in the knowledge and exposure for Fisheries Development Plans and fast- country. Moreover, being an achieving better results. Therefore, tracking approvals. Apart from that, agricultural economy, products such under PMMSY, special focus is given PMMSY establishes effective linkages as plant growth stimulant (liquid accorded for training, awareness, between farm production and retail fertilizer) developed from fresh exposure and capacity building of chains, strengthening Fisheries SHG’s seaweed biomass have huge domestic beneficiaries which includes fishers, and Cooperatives, Collectivizing demand in India. Biofertilizer and fish farmers, entrepreneurs, fish fishers and fish farmers through Fish growth stimulant business currently workers/vendors and fishery officials. Farmer Producer organizations represent 1,500-1,700 crore market A comprehensive action plan is being (FFPO’s) to enhance competitiveness in the country, where the lion’s share drawn up to train about 1.5 lakh of the sector and increasing bargaining of sea weed extracts required for the beneficiaries with an amount of power of fish farmers leading to industry are imported annually. ` 100 crore under PMMSY. higher incomes and economic Hence, the targeted hike in the Apart from the conventional prosperity. seaweed production under the subsidy-oriented support system, the To the extent possible, PMMSY PMMSY will result in a significant PMMSY strives to create a conducive will adopt a ‘cluster or area-based reduction in the imports in the environment for private sector approach’ integrating requisite biofertilizer and growth stimulant participation and promote the forward and backward linkages to industry in India. Seaweed biomass is dynamic development of innovative facilitate economies of scale, accelerate gaining prominence in food and entrepreneurial ventures and viable growth and expansion of the sector in nutraceuticals industry, wherein new business models in the fisheries sector. an organized manner. It is also emerging application in several bio- envisaged to encourage convergence based and high value edible Collaboration with DARE/ICAR in with the schemes or programs of other commodity products especially training and capacity building Ministries/ Departments to facilitate functional food is being developed. Most recently, the Department of holistic development and thus, The ICAR – Central Marine Fisheries Fisheries proposed to undertake a amplify outcomes. Research Institute (CMFRI) has massive outreach program, in Through need based financial successfully developed a series of collaboration with ICAR, support to various sub-sectors, Nutraceutical products indigenously Department of Agricultural Research training and capacity development of for use against various life style and Education (DARE) for large number of rural population and disorders. Scaling up of production disseminating the PMMSY scheme align them towards fisheries and and industrialization of such products not only among fishers, fish farmers, aquaculture related lively hood offer large scope in the coming years. fish workers, fish venders and activities, it is expected that PMMSY entrepreneurs but also among can significantly contribute towards Deep sea fisheries agriculture farmers, who undertake the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Given the low level of harnessing aquaculture activities as allied of deep-sea fisheries resources in EEZ activities for additional income 1IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries Animal and High seas, by our indigenous generation. The proposed program Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India

Indian Farming 56 November 2020 Indian Farming 70(11): 57–59; November 2020 Responsible fishing and sustainability Leela Edwin* and Saly N Thomas ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, Kerala 682 029

Marine fishing globally has undergone significant structural transformation from artisanal focus to technology intensive and advanced fishing systems. This, however has resulted in an undesirable trend of excess capacity and overexploitation of resources. This emerging trend demands enforcement of sustainability standards as per the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. While India, as a member country is keen on following the FAO standards, the concept of ‘green fishing’ encompassing energy conservation and minimization of environmental impact gain accelerated relevance.

Keywords: Bycatch reduction devices, Energy conservation, Green fishing, Responsible fishing, Trawl

NDIA has expanded its fish there are about 1,99,141 fishing aquatic resources, with due respect I production during the last six vessels in India, of which nearly for the ecosystem, biodiversity and decades with an 18-fold increase in 72,749 are mechanized vessels environment. Article 8 of the Code production. With its highly (36.5%), 73,410 are motorized covers key principles including use of productive fishing area, the country’s (36.9%) and the rest 52,982 non- conservative management approaches fish production has grown from 0.74 motorized (26.6%). These are in when the effects of fishing practices million tonnes in 1950 to 13.42 excess of the optimum that the are uncertain; avoiding overfishing million tonnes in 2018 with the share fishery system can sustain; motorized and preventing or eliminating excess of marine catch at the level of 3.71 vessels thrice and mechanized vessels fishing capacity; minimization of million tonnes. The structural five times higher than the optimum. bycatch and discards; prohibition of transformation of the fishing system This means, over exploitation of the destructive fishing methods. India in India was from an exclusively resources bycatch, high energy use has been keen on adopting CCRF for artisanal sector dependent on manual and over capitalization especially in sustainable exploitation of the labour, into a mechanized system terms of indicators such as vessel and resources. As a member country, depending on engine power for vessel gear size, and engine power. India’s responsible fishing initiatives propulsion and/operation of the Sustainability concerns, therefore for sustainability include, fishing gear. The fishing systems demand corrective measures. As a development of efficient fishing today comprises of motorized and signatory of multinational vessel designs, responsible fishing mechanized vessels using large conventions, following the global gears, measures for bycatch versions of gears such as trawls, purse codes of conduct is the best policy reduction, energy conservation and seines, gillnets, lines and traps. The option that India can think of. The minimizing negative impact of artisanal non-motorized is slowly global thinking today is towards an fishing gears. being phased out. Increase in fish integrated approach to sustainable Responsible Fishing ensures production, over the years, has been fishing practices under the sustainability of the system by using the result of increased number of fleet ‘Responsible Fisheries’ framework. gears in a responsible way so that and availability of large and more overfishing is reduced and fish stock efficient gear systems, and FAO Code of Conduct and Responsible is protected. At the operational level, developments in electronic, Fishing Approach selective fishing is the deployment of navigational and acoustic detection A Code of Conduct for gears which capture target resources equipment that help to enhance Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) came without having any adverse impact overall capabilities. from the FAO in December 1995. It on the resources and the ecosystem. sets out the principles and Such gears ensure selective Challenges of sustainability international standards of behaviour exploitation of resources according to Structural change implies negative for responsible practices to ensure criteria on size, shape, age or species. consequences as well. At present, long term sustainability of living Optimum mesh size and other

Indian Farming November 2020 57 selectivity characteristics for different tension. In square mesh, water flow Though not as dominant as in gears like trawls, purse seines and and filtration will be efficient and trawls, bycatch is an issue in other gillnets for selective exploitation of resultant drag will be comparatively gears like gillnets, purse seines, hooks commercially important fishes. These less which minimizes fuel and lines, and traps. Bycatch in drift strategies and measures would enable consumption. As the mesh lumen gill nets include marine mammals, sea sustainable fishing by avoiding remains open, it is easy for small turtles and sea birds, in addition to juveniles, bycatch etc. fishes and juveniles to escape through non-targeted fish species. Use of Demersal trawls which contribute the meshes which reduces the optimum mesh size and hanging maximum towards the marine fish quantum of bycatch. Gujarat Marine coefficient as well as by judicious production of India are non-selective Fishing Regulation Act (GMFR Act- deployment of gill net considering and a large number of non-target 2003) has prescribed the use of 40 the depth and area of operation and species and juveniles are landed mm square mesh codends in the season would avoid gear interaction during trawling, in addition to its trawl nets. Most recently the Govt. of with non-targeted species and impact on benthic communities. Off Kerala has adopted 35 mm square minimize bycatch in gill net fisheries. bottom trawl system (CIFT-OBTS) is mesh codend for fish trawl and 25 Accidental pursing of juvenile an alternative to demersal trawl in the mm cod end for shrimp trawl shoals is the main reason for bycatch small-scale mechanized trawler sector. through amendment of the Kerala in purse seine. Selection of Unlike conventional demersal trawl Marine Fisheries Regulation Act. optimum mesh size, proper choice of which is dragged along the seafloor, Incidental catches of marine turtles fishing area, depth and season off bottom trawl operates at a little which are endangered species have could lead to better selectivity and distance above the bottom. This been reported in the trawl landings of reduction of bycatch in purse seines. makes off bottom trawl an eco- India particularly from West Bengal, Use of Medina panel, section of fine friendly gear with significantly lower Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu mesh which form a type of escape bottom impact than demersal trawls. and southern parts of Kerala. Turtle panel, prevents dolphins from Besides, it comes out as a responsible excluder device (TED) is a BRD becoming entangled in the gear, and alternate trawl system for harvesting incorporated in trawl nets to facilitate back down manoeuvre have been less exploited large demersal and escape of turtles incidentally caught deployed to prevent capture of semi-pelagic species as the shrimp in trawl nets. Its use by small and dolphins in purse seines. Choice of and other demersal resources targeted medium mechanized trawlers hook design and size, bait type and by bottom trawls are rather over operating in Indian waters ensure size, selection of space and time of exploited. 100% escapement of the turtles while fishing are approaches for mitigation Most fishing gears, while targeting exclusion of fish and shrimp is at the of bycatch issues in hook and line a particular fish or group of fishes, minimum possible level. fisheries and minimize gear non-targeted ones also are caught Trawl fishermen in India and other interaction with other species. unintentionally and is termed as tropical fisheries depend on both Provision of escape windows for bycatch. Bycatch problem mostly finfish catches and shrimp catches to juveniles and non-target species in the happen when the gear used is non- keep the commercial operations design side and appropriate choice of selective and not designed to exclude economically viable. The sorting of bait type, fishing area, fishing depth, non-targeted fish. Devices used to the shrimp and the finfish from the fishing time also help to minimize exclude the bycatch of non-targeted catch is time consuming. A unique juvenile catch in traps. species including endangered species solution for this issue is a Juvenile like turtle are collectively known as Fish Excluder cum Shrimp Sorting Green fishing Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs). Device (JFE-SSD), which retains The concept of ‘Green Fishing’ These devices are developed taking mature shrimp in the bottom portion encompasses energy conservation and into consideration the variation in the of the net while allowing juvenile minimization of environmental size, and differential behaviour shrimp to swim out through the impact of fishing gears. pattern of fish, shrimp and other mesh unharmed. The device also animals inside the net. retains mature finfish in the upper Energy conservation in fishing Among the different types of codend of the device, while allowing Motorized and mechanized fishing fishing, shrimp trawling accounts for small sized fish of low commercial operations are dependent on fossil the highest rate of bycatch, of which value and juveniles of commercial fuels, which are non-renewable and a significant portion is constituted by species to be safely excluded. The limited. Fossil fuel produces increased juveniles that are generally discarded. sorting of the shrimp and the finfish levels of carbon dioxide in Square mesh netting is the simplest between the lower and upper parts of atmosphere contributing to green BRD used in trawl codend as a the net enhances profitability by house effect and other pollutants conservation measure. Meshes in the reducing the sorting time and by which are detrimental to the square mesh codend remain open preventing the shrimp from environment and human health. under tension during trawling becoming crushed under the weight Greenhouse effect leads to irreversible unlike the diamond mesh codend in of fish which increases the shrimp’s climatic and oceanographic changes. which the mesh lumen closes under market value. Moreover, spiraling oil prices may

Indian Farming 58 November 2020 severely affect the economic viability year. The vessel has wider space, a Marking of fishing gear of fishing as a means of food canopy for protection from rain and Illegal, Unregulated and production. World capture fisheries sun, low rolling characteristics during Unreported (IUU) fishing is a major consumes about 50 billion litres of fishing, and also has provision of area of concern in sustainable fuel annually (1.2% of the worldwide navigational lights to facilitate fishing exploitation of fish resources. Gear fuel consumption) releasing an in the night. marking is a possible measure to estimated 134 million tonnes of CO2 regulate both legal and illegal into the atmosphere at an average Minimizing environmental impact of fisheries. FAO has brought out rate of 1.7 tonnes of CO2 per tonne fishing gears voluntary guidelines for gear of live-weight of landed product. Dragged gears such as bottom marking. A well-marked gear with Annual fuel consumption by the trawls, particularly when they are proper identification would be useful mechanized and motorized fishing heavily rigged, could cause severe for enforcement agencies checking on fleet of India has been estimated at damage to benthic fauna and flora, illegal gear and operation. The basic 1220 million litres which formed which occupy the bottom substratum purpose of gear marking is to about 1% of the entire fossil fuel and contribute to the productivity of determine ownership and to trace consumption in India in 2000 (122 the region. Use of off-bottom trawls back information regarding the gear. billion litres) releasing an estimated reduce the impact of trawling on the ALDFG and ghost fishing are related 3.17 million tonnes of CO2 into the bottom biota. to IUU. Gear marking enables in atmosphere at an average rate of 1.13 Plastics constitute 91% of the reducing ALDFG by avoiding tonnes of CO2 per tonne of live- global marine debris of which 10% is interaction with other vessels and weight of marine fish landed. contributed by the fishing sector. entanglement with other gears. It Introduction of innovative designs Lost fishing gears entangle and kill also helps the state to take effective of fuel-efficient fishing vessels can target and non-target organisms, action against defaulters in case of reduce the fuel consumption by the damage habitats and become hazard ALDFG. As far as India is concerned, fishing sector. By modifying the hull to human navigation. Lost/derelict there is no system to mark gears/ gear form and reducing vessel weight, fuel fishing gear include nets, lines, traps, materials and accessories. For the first consumption can be reduced to a and other recreational or commercial time in the country, marking of significant level there by reducing fishing equipment that has been fishing gear is incorporated in the carbon footprint. Carbon footprint abandoned, lost, or otherwise Marine Fishing Regulation Act can also be reduced through discarded (ALDFG). The first study amendment 2018 of Govt of Kerala. introduction of new generation on ALDFG relating to gillnets and fishing gear materials such as trammels nets in Indian waters in SUMMARY Ultrahigh Molecular Weight 2017 showed that this is a serious ‘Responsible Fishing’ signifies the Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Use of problem requiring strict monitoring way forward in harnessing the solar panel for navigation lights and control. Further to this initial potential of India’s ‘Blue Economy’. reduces the fuel burning and helps assessment, detailed assessment of Research on design, development and reducing pollution in the same vessel. fish and gear loss in gillnet and operation of fishing vessel and fishing Utilization of solar energy in trammel net sectors of India gear form the first stage of this fishing is an innovative idea to curtail identifies a loss rate of 24.8% of the strategy. India has a wide range of the increasing fuel consumption by total fishing gear per gillnetter per technologies for bycatch reduction, the fishing industry and also to year in the country which is quite minimizing environmental impact reduce pollution. Solar powered FRP alarming. Ghost fishing is a problem and energy conservation based on vessels are introduced successfully in associated with lost fishing gears. FAO-CCRF. Creating awareness reservoirs, small rivers, and Fishing net becomes ‘ghost net’ when among stakeholders with suitable aquaculture ponds. These can also be the operational control of the gear is incentives will result in faster used for recreational fishing activities. lost and a fish or an animal, is adoption of such technologies. The vessels are capable of running for trapped in the net and mortality Beyond these, policy changes and 2.5 to 3.0 hours after full charge and occurs. Ghost fishing is estimated to creation of appropriate legal and attain a speed of nearly 4.0 knots in cause a loss of 7% of total fish catch Institutional framework also need calm waters. Considering the 240 which goes unreported and examination. days of fishing in a year the fuel saved unaccounted for. Such studies have to compared to an equivalent diesel be conducted in Indian waters. *Corresponding author’s e-mail: powered vessel is about ` 48,000 per [email protected]

Know Krishi Unnati Yojana The Krishi Unnati Yojana, a central sector scheme, is envisaged as umbrella programme for focusing on food security, by merging schemes on Soil-health Card, Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Co-operation and Agricultural Marketing, National Mission on Agriculture Extension, Horticulture Development, Price Stabilization Fund, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and other programmes.

Indian Farming November 2020 59

Glimpses of fishing craft & gears in the fisheries sector

Kattumaram with gill nets at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Fishing Canoe with Trammel nets at backwaters Coracle with drift Cochin, Kerala gillnets at, Cochin, Kerala

Motorized Fishing Boat with gillnets at Mangalore, Karnataka ISSN: 0019–4786 Regd. No. 14247/57 Delhi Postal Regd. No. DL(C)-12/1147/2007-2010 Price : ` 30.00