The organized field trips covered the three Marakizs of the ICT. However, two visits to Sehala Marakiz were not sufficient to identify a suitable site. The consultant was only able to see 14 locations (Bharakau Marakiz-5, Tarlai Marakiz-7 and Sehala-2) where few potential pockets were observed.
Of the sites visited, the consultant has prepared a priority list of three Marakizs as probable sites for the demonstration units taking account of topography, soil texture, water availability and farmers' interest. In these Marakizs, the consultant was taken to only two sites of which one was not satisfactory. Therefore, other suitable sites should be sought.
| MARAKIZ | |||
| S. No. | Bharakau | Tarlai | Sehala |
| 1. | Mohammad Hussain Phulgran | Mohammad Ilyas Sohan | Mohammad Ayub |
| 2. | Raja Pervaiz Pbulgran | Mohammad Sohan | - |
| 3. | - | Abdul Rahman Khanna area | - |
| 4. | - | Bashir Khanna area | - |
The ever-increasing costs of labour and rental of equipment (tractor, bulldozer) were a source of great concern to the farmers. Therefore, it is proposed to make available the necessary equipment at each Marakiz at the rate of Rs. 50/- per hour to those fish farmers interested in constructing a fish pond. Moreover, the free services of a qualified engineer for designing, estimating costs and supervising the construction work would be of great value.
The phytophagous fish play an important role in low-cost fish-farming as their energy conversion rates are high and their feeds, and manure to fertilize the pond water are easily and cheaply available. Integration of fish-farming with animal husbandry and horticulture would ensure a ready and low-cost supply of grass or vegetable waste to use as feed and organic manure to fertilize the pond which in turn also produces fish food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton.
This type of fish culture practice can be easily adopted in Islamabad as most of the farmers are engaged in poultry and vegetable farming. However, concern regarding the continuous supply of phytophagous and zooplankton-feeding fish fingerlings has been expressed. In order to ensure the necessary supply of fingerlings to the demonstration units, the consultant proposes the following:
to request the Directorate of Fisheries, Punjab to make the fingerlings available;
to develop an outdoor facility, on a moderate scale, at the Directorate of Fisheries, ICT, to rear fry to fingerlings;
to make an official request to Nepal to assist in supplying the required fingerlings under the TCDC programme. (On inquiring, the consultant was informed by the local UNDP office about the availability of funds for such activities under the TCDC. Moreover, the authorities concerned with production, extension and training may also request a study tour under the above programme.)
In order to make the local people aware of this activity and motivate the farmers to take up fish culture, an appropriate extension service is needed; to date no serious effort has been made in this field due to non-availability of trained personnel. The Directorate of Fisheries, ICT, should develop an extension unit to promote the activity within ICT. The project aims to strengthen this unit with appropriate training and necessary equipment to initiate a follow-up programme with the establishment of demonstration ponds.
In consultation with the authorities concerned, the consultant has prepared a list of equipment needed to strengthen the Directorate of Fisheries, ICT:
by developing a modest outdoor rearing facility to produce fingerlings and,
by providing the necessary equipment to the extension personnel to carry out a follow-up programme.
