Methodology in Planning Process:

Factors selected for study: The environment factor as well as its three component sub-factors - physical, institutional and social are hereunder analysed.

Physical Environment: Aquaculture, more precisely “fish farming” has been undertaken by the Resource Conservation Utilization Project (RCUP) since three years at Galeswor. All sub-factors which include temperature rainfall precipitation and the quality of water are available and this indicates that the basic environmental requirements present in the area are suitable for fish farming and could be further well developed.

Situation of Galeswor Pond: At present, the Galeswor fish pond, is a mini successful venture. It is a community fish pond of 125 metres square (¼ ropani) owned by the Galeswor Temple and fish farming is undertaken by a farmer on lease and being served as a demonstration centre.

2. The pond is fenced and grass has been planted all round.

3. Fingerlings are provided every year by the Fisheries Department.

Here under follows an indication of supply of fingerlings and yield per annum on an area of 125 m² (1/4 of a ropani).

It is to be noted that during the second year, a flood destroyed more than 400 fingerlings. It has been observed that the pond is over crowded and during the normal period the growth rate is low due to poor management. Only 200 to 250 fingerlings are recommended for a pond of 125 m².

The second part of the environmental factor, known is usually termed as Institutional.

The Government policy to promote and develop fish farming is accepted by the general population. All means and ways are being exploited to promote and develop fish culture in potential areas such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs and ponds. Consequently there is a substancial number of persons, who have been motivated all over the country and who are engaged in fish farming utilizing lakes and ponds with the help of International Agencies and Financial Organization such as the Asian Development Bank.

In Myagdi district, there are several other ponds existing namely in the following areas:

Up to the present date, 25,000 fingerlings has been distributed but due to improper follow up no data on the yield is available in the field. However, through experience it is assumed that the farmers are satisfied with the yield and on the overall performance, for the demand of fingerlings is high. The District Fisheries Department is optimistic and at present it is being proposed to intensify the fishing activities in the above mentioned areas. An urgent need for educational/extension activities and demonstration plots/centres arise and fish farming on a scientific basis will no doubt bring accrued benefits to the farmers.

Social Aspect: Another aspect of the environment termed as social, comprises traditions, customs, religions beliefs and the acceptability as individuals, group or community, action for fish farming or aquaculture in general. Contrary to animal husbandry, fish culture has not the constraints as mentioned above and it is an acceptable income generating activity.

Let us examine other factors which can have a great influence on fish culture.

Revenue Factor: The final factor which will need much attention is the revenue factor, which together with the production cost determine the profitability of the fish farm. Local marketing strategies and market development can increase revenues. If high revenues will be perceived, it will encourage expansion of fish culture.

Table 1. Income and Expenditure (Operating Cost) for a pond of 125 m²

Table 2. Capital Investment Cost for fencing 125 m² (¼ ropani) of land converted into fish pond - as per established rate

Barbed wire fencing		Quantity	No. of Mandays	Rate	Total
A.	6 Horizontal and two diagonal Strands, 3 m pole spacing, 12 gauze wire, (1 kg = 7 m)
1)	Barbed wire
	Approx 275 mts	40 kg	-	21.00	840.00
	Transport = 300				300.00
2)	a) Poles 6'×3"×4" (34 units)	17 cft	-	200.00	3400.00
	b) Support poles 6'×3'×4' (10 units)	5 cft	-	200.00	1000.00
	U-nails	4.5 kg	-	25.00	112.50
Sub Total (A)					5652.50
B.	Pitting, Fixing poles Stretching and tightening wires
	a) Pitting size 1.5'×1'×1' on mixed soil		7
	b) Stretching and tightening in gentle slope		15	50.00	1100.00
Sub Total (B)					1100.00
C.	Excavation of pond - to regularise the depth - Mixed soil - 125 m3	200 m3	0.49	45.00	4900.00
	(Unskilled labour)
	(Sub Total C)
D.	Sub total (A+B+C)				11652.50
Contingencies		10%			1165.00
				Total	12817.50

Project Cost: In fish farming project (aquaculture) also two main types of costs are involved basically. They are:

1. Investment Cost

2. Operating and Maintenance Cost.

Investment Cost: Major item of investment costs comprise of restoring existing ponds by minor works and fencing same. It also includes mainly the cost of excavating the pond upto five feet deep, arrangement for permanent source of pure water (free from siltation) and protection to avoid flood or surface runoff that might arise during the monsoon (rainy) season. At the begining of the operation, the pond must be dry or free from any nuisance that may cause harm to the fingerlings. For that particular reason, the pond has to be treated with 2 kg of lime for each area of 125 m² of pond.

Operating and Maintenance Costs: It comprises of drying of the pond during one month after each yield/harvest, treating it with lime and putting the required number of fingerlings. It is to be noted that the recommended quantity of fingerlings is 200 – 250 for a pond of 125 m² (¼ ropani). The fingerlings are delivered at the site of the pond by the Department of Fisheries at the rate of Rs. 15.00 to Rs. 20.00 per 100 units. Other costs include compost or pond manure and complex 20:20:0 and paddy husk or damaged cereals which are used as feed. Repair and Maintenance Cost is incurred for fence and poles.

Without Project Situation:

In Myagdi district, the main crops cultivated are maize, paddy, millet, wheat and barley. The returns and operating cost pertaining to 125 m² (¼ ropani) of land under (1) maize, paddy (2) Maize and millet and (3) wheat and raddy over 1 year at present is as follows:

Table 3. Returns on Agricultural activities on 125 m² of land

Table 4. Average returns and Costs for Agricultural production on ¼ ropani (125 m²) of land

From tables 3 and 4, it can be deduced that the average returns for agricultural production over an area of ¼ ropani of land is Rs 127 and the average cost for same is 91. It is to be noted that two different crops are grown on the land during a year.

After analysing and comparing the figures, it is found that fish farming is an activity with more capital investment but generates more income and do not need much labour. In areas which are suitable for fish farming, such activities can be carried out and in 125 m² of land the income is much higher than income generated by cultivating the same area of land in agricultural products using the family labour.

Despite all the good indicators, a farmer should not invest in the fish farming project unless the pond is well fenced and excavated to depth of five feet at least. So, the farmer has to take advantage of Institutional financing and seek a loan. There is a “tacit” agreement between the Fisheries Department and the Asian Development Bank that whenever a farmer is motivated and provided technical help from the Fisheries Department, the farmer is recommended for a loan. The monitoring and follow up is done by the Fisheries Department.

In table 2, and in case study, it is found that the investment cost for a fish pond of 125 m² is approximately 12,817 rupees and 4,900 rupees is only for excavation works. Approximately 38 % of this capital investment is expended on land clearing and excavation of pond - in case of a new pond to be erected.

In the case of study table in annex where Capital Investment Costs and operating costs are shown, investment cost is 12,817 rupees.

Conclusions:

Fish farming on land of low productivity though the permanent source of water is available, combined with good marketing facilities and stable price has a particularly high potential of income generation for hill farmers and represents good diversified employment opportunity.

As per table 1 there is a clear indication that the net profit derived from fish farming on 125 m² or ¼ ropani of land is 3,364 rupees. The cost and benefits of cultivation of the main cereal crops like rice and wheat on a plot of land of 125 m² are as follows in average:

Table 5. Cost and Benefit of Rice and Wheat Cultivation in General

* Source: ICIMOD Occasional Paper No. 7. Author T.B.S. Mahat

Analysing table 4 and the above table, it is clear that profit returns from agricultural productions in Myagdi district is lower than the average. If necessary prerequisites are available, fish farming has to be encouraged for it has a better return. However, people might prefer not to embark on fish farming because of the following main reasons:

1. Rice is the staple food

2. Fish farming require huge capital investment at the begining.

Nevertheless, people in appropriate areas, satisfying the basis requirements for a good fish farming project can be encouraged by Demonstration and extension works.

Recommendations for improving the fish farming demonstration centre(s) at Galeswor in Myagdi District: Demonstration activity under supervision and technical support from the Fisheries Department.

1. The pond must be dried up and excavated one more foot deep so as to bring the total depth to 5 feet from ground level.

2. Arrangement for permanent source of water and prevention against flood or drainage for surface runoff are to be done.

3. Some repairs and improvement works should be carried out.

The expenses to be incurred in implementation of the above works are not considerable and can be undertaken by the Fisheries Department provided the necessary fund is made available by the project. This demonstration centre is located at a potential area by the road side. It is easily accessible and the people can observe the demonstration and obtain educational and technical information from this demonstration activity.

(2) A second proposal for such a demonstration pond will be either of Ratnachaur or Singha or Arthunge in the vincinity of Beni, where the District Office is located. Here, it is question of the construction of a pond of 500 m² - i.e. covering an area extent of one ropani of land. Analysing once more the techniques studied earlier, the site to be selected should be easily accessible and located near permanent source of water. All the rest of the works for implementation of the demonstration unit will be carried out under the technical guidance and supervision of the Agricultural Development Office, provided all the expenditure cost be provided once more by the project.