1. FISH FARMS
1.1 Area and Distribution
On the basis of information provided by the Government, the total area of existing freshwater ponds1 is estimated to be about 0.95 million ha, of which less than 30 percent are operational. West Bengal has a total of about 162 000 ha, possessing the largest, operational, fish pond area. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa are also major states with large areas of freshwater ponds. Karnataka possesses extensive areas of small irrigation ponds with an average size of about 12 ha. Assam also has large areas of this type of pond, but a great majority of these irrigation ponds are not utilized for fish production (see Table 1 on page 17).
1.2 Physical Characteristics
1.2.1 Land and Water
On the basis of a source of water supply, the predominant type of fish pond in the country can be described as rain-fed. Water levels of this type of pond fluctuate considerably and the fluctuation depends upon a number of factors, such as rainfall and rainfall distribution, fluctuation of ground-water table, soil permeability, evaporation, etc. The so-called perennial ponds are those located at sites with a higher ground-water table. The water supply to these ponds is relatively constant. Extensive areas of this type of pond are distributed along the Lower Ganges Delta and the low-lying lands of other large river basins, whereas the so-called seasonal ponds are those situated at sites with a lower groundwater table. These ponds usually have their maximum water level during the monsoon season, become dry during the dry months, due mainly to seepage. Both types of ponds are suitable for fish culture by the adoption of different management practices. The perennial ponds may require adequate water control structures and equipment for management of the pond water level, while the seasonal ponds would need a suitable system of fish population management for the best utilization of the available waters.
1.2.2 Productivity of Natural Fish Foods
It is estimated that, under the intensive solar energy in India, the standing crop of natural fish-food production from a body of impounded water could easily reach the level of about 1 000 kg per hectare-metre, which would be adequate to support the grazing of a carp population of about 400 kg (see Table 2 on page 18).
2. FARMING SYSTEM
2.1 General Practices
Farming of fish in freshwater ponds has been an age-old food production industry in the country, traditionally practised by empirical methods developed by Indian farmers. Under this practice, ponds are usually stocked with a mixture of Indian major carp fry in June-July when these fish spawn in the Ganges river system at the beginning of the monsoon season. Except for some ponds in West Bengal, carp ponds do not receive fertilizers and feeds. Marketable fish are harvested in March-April when the pond water levels are low.
2.2 Yield
The present levels of carp pond production in India range from 250 to 940 kg/ha/yr with a weighted average of about 650 kg/ha/yr (see Table 3 on page 17). Results obtained from recent research indicate that the yield of carp ponds in India could reach as high as 7 000–9 000 kg/ha/yr, by use of feeds. It appears that technical and economic viability of augmenting the present yield to such a high level need to be carefully examined and evaluated.
2.3 Polyculture
The method of carp culture practised by Indian farmers is a form of polyculture. This fish culture system is characterized by:
the production of natural fish-foods in the pond as a basic food supply to the fish.
the manipulation of fish populations in the pond to create a balanced condition between the growth of natural fish food organisms and the consumption by the stocked fish.1
the application of supplemental feed aimed at increasing the conversion rate of natural fish-foods to fish.
3. OPERATION
3.1 Land Ownership and Tenure System
Pond ownership in India varies from state to state. Generally speaking, with the exception of West Bengal, the great majority of the nation's ponds are owned by Government Departments, particularly predominant being the Revenue, Irrigation, and to some extent, the Fisheries Departments, and by local Government bodies, such as the Gram Panchayat, Municipal Boards, District Boards, Court of Wards, etc. (see Table 4 on page 19). The Government Departments and Agencies usually lease the ponds to private individuals or cooperative societies to use them for fish farming. Because of the short term of the leases and because of the uncertainty of future lease agreements, the lessees of the ponds usually hesitate to improve pond production by investing more capital and production inputs. Following the recommendations from the Inland Fisheries Technical Committtee, which was set up by the Central Board of Fisheries in 1972, the Government of India has established a central scheme (Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA)) at district level to act as the field mechanism to promote and coordinate the development of fish farming. One of the more important responsibilities of the FFDA is to accelerate the process of leasing these ponds from the Government Departments and Agencies to the private sector on a long-term basis. Future fish farming development in India may largely depend on the success in finding a solution for pond tenure problems by FFDAs.
where E: percentage weight of fish food biota or of fish species (or a group of
fish species) of specific food habits;
b: groups of fish food biota, i.e. plankton: 1, macrophyte: 2, bottom fauna: 3,
and nekton: 4;
f: species (or a group of species) of fish with different feeding habits, i.e.
plankton feeders: 1, macrophyte feeders: 2, bottom fauna feeders: 3,
nekton feeders: 4
3.2 Fish Farm Operators and Farm Labour
The size of India's fish farms is small (see Table 5 on page 20) ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 ha. The privately-owned ponds are usually operated by the owners, but some of them are operated by pond lessees who are interested in fish farming and who usually reside near the pond. One operator may run a number of ponds and be owner and/or lease-holder of other ponds at the same time. The number of owner-operators, tenants, part-owners and part-tenants in West Bengal is given in Table 6 on page 20.
Fish farm labourers are usually “landless” farmers who may be, at the same time, part-time fishermen. The Government intends to organize these “landless” farmers to form cooperative societies to encourage them to act as lessees of these ponds.
3.3 Profitability
Because of the relatively higher prices of the Indian major carps (See Table 7 on page 20) carp farming has thrived in West Bengal and Orissa and the neighbouring states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc. As indicated in Annex 5, Tables 15 to 18, carp farming would have a financial rate of return of over 50 percent.
4. CONSTRAINTS OF PRODUCTION EXPANSION
4.1 Management Efficiency in Pond Production
Management efficiency in carp pond production may be measured on the basis of the following:
The number and quality of fish seeds used per unit of pond product.
The amount of fertilizers and feeds applied per crop of harvest.
Total number of labour days used per unit of pond area.
The land area and volume of water utilized per crop of fish produced.
Running and maintenance costs of facilities and equipment per crop of production.
Total working capital required per crop.
On the basis of available information, the mission observed that pond management efficiency in the country urgently needs further improvement.
4.2 Quantity of Fish Seeds
The quality of fish seeds collected from the wild is low because of the mixture of undesirable species, including larvae of predatory fish, and the quantity collected has, in fact, been rapidly decreasing in recent years. On the other hand, the quality and quantity, and the period of fish seed production by hypophysation are, to a large extent, controllable. The Government of India has realized the importance of quality fish seed supply and has laid considerable emphasis on the establishment of more fish seed farms in each state. Although quality fish seed supply from the State Government's fish seed farms has been substantially increased in the past decade, it is quantitatively still very limited and far below the existing demand (see Table 3 on page 17).
4.3 Land Tenure
As mentioned in 3.1, land tenure problems hamper fish farming expansion and discourage fish farming investment. Except for research and demonstration, ponds suitable for fish farm development should be transferred to farmers and entrepreneurs on a long-term lease basis, so that the lessees will be able to invest more capital in improvements for farm production.
5. EXTENSION, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
The College of Fisheries of the University of Mangalore and the College of Animal husbandry of the University of Tamil Nadu offer aquaculture and inland fisheries courses. These colleges were established only a few years ago, and facilities, equipment, plus training and research programmes for science and technology concerning fish farming development, need to be strengthened.
The Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Barrackpore, West Bengal, needs to orient its research activities to link directly with the needs of fish farming production and development. Many technical problems which impeded fish farming expansion, such as the sophisticated process of carp breeding, low survival rates obtained in carp nursing and rearing, low rate of natural fish-food conversion and inadequate engineering knowledge relating fish farm construction, etc., require to be resolved by multidisciplinary research programmes.
Field extension workers on fish farming development have to be trained. In addition to pond production technology, they are required to equip themselves with some basic knowledge and experience in farm management including procurement of farm inputs, marketing of farm products, and field extension.
Table 1
Distribution of Freshwater Fish Ponds and Status of their Operation
(in ' 000 ha)
State | Operational | Non-Operational | Total |
West Bengal | 78 | 84 | 162 |
Karnataka1 | 40 | 232 | 272 |
Rajasthan1 | 30 | 23 | 53 |
Bihar | 30 | 35 | 65 |
Tamil Nadu1 | 26 | 35 | 61 |
Maharashtra | 25 | 28 | 53 |
Orissa | 23 | 4 | 27 |
Andhra Pradesh | 16 | 24 | 40 |
Madhya Pradesh | 9 | 20 | 29 |
Uttar Pradesh | 50 | 112 | 162 |
Punjab | 2 | 4 | 6 |
Gujarat | 2 | 14 | 16 |
Kerala | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Total | 333 | 618 | 951 |
1 Consisting mainly of small irrigation ponds/reservoirs
Table 3
Estimated Freshwater Fish Pond Production
State | Estimated area of operational ponds (' 000 ha) | Estimated total yield from freshwater fishponds (' 000 tons) | Average yield (kg/ha/year) |
Uttar Pradesh | 34 | 9 | 260 |
Bihar | 24 | 13 | 540 |
Madhya Pradesh | 6 | 4 | 650 |
Orissa | 16 | 12 | 750 |
West Bengal | 78 | 73 | 940 |
Weighted Average | 650 |
Table 2
Levels of Intensity of Fish Farm Production
Levels of Intensity | Application of Fish Farm Management Techniques | Levels of Standing-Crop1 of Fish Production (kg/ha-m) | Levels of Standing-Crop1 of Fish Production (kg/ha-m) | Remarks |
0 | Without management of either fish population or fish food supply | 1 000 | 40 | Both the fish population and water fertility of the bodies of impounded water are uncontrollable |
I | The stocked fish subsist on fish food organisms produced by natural productivity only | 1 000 | 400 | Fish population of the bodies of impounded water is manageable, but their water fertility is uncontrolled |
II | The stocked fish are fed by: (i) natural production, plus (ii) the increased production by fertilization which is approximately 400 percent more than natural productivity | 5 000 | 2 000 | To a large extent, both the fish population and water fertility of the bodies of impounded water are controllable |
III | The stocked fish are fed by: (i) natural production, (ii) increased productivity by fertilization, and (iii) supplemental feed, which can increase the conversion rate of natural food to fish production by 100 percent; or raise the standing crop of the fish two-fold compared to level II | 5 000 | 4 000 | Both the fish population and water fertility of the bodies of impounded water are completely controllable |
Table 4
Distribution and Ownership of Freshwater Fish Ponds
State | Government-Owned Ponds | Privately-Owned Ponds | Grand Total | ||||||||||||||
Fisheries Dept. | Irrigation Dept. | Revenue Dept. | Panchyat | Total | |||||||||||||
No of Units | ' 000 ha | No of Units | ' 000 ha | No of Units | ' 000 ha | No of Units | ' 000 ha | No of Units | ' 000 ha | % | No of Units | ' 000 ha | % | No of Units | ' 000 ha | Ave. Size ha | |
Uttar Pradesh | 0.4 | 4.7 | 19.0 | 21.0 | - | 123.0 | 136.0 | 142.4 | 161.7 | 99.9 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 142.6 | 162.0 | 1.1 | |
Bihar | - | - | - | - | 34.1 | 41.0 | - | - | 34.0 | 41.0 | 63.0 | 20.0 | 24.0 | 37.0 | 54.0 | 65.0 | 1.2 |
Madhya Pradesh | - | - | - | - | 29.5 | 29.0 | - | - | 29.5 | 29.0 | 100.0 | - | - | - | 29.5 | 29.0 | 1.0 |
West Bengal | - | - | - | - | - | - | 73.3 | 26.0 | 36.0 | 26.0 | 17.0 | 148.6 | 127.0 | 83.0 | 184.6 | 153.0 | 0.8 |
Orissa | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10.0 | 12.0 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 60.0 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 40.0 | 16.7 | 20.0 | 1.2 |
Total | 0.4 | 4.7 | 19.0 | 21.0 | 63.6 | 70.0 | 206.3 | 174.0 | 251.9 | 269.7 | 63.0 | 175.5 | 159.3 | 37.0 | 427.4 | 429.0 | 1.01 |
Distribution and Ownership of Small Irrigation Reservoirs
Karnataka | - | - | 22.8 | 272.4 | - | - | - | - | 22.8 | 272.4 | 12.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | - | - | 22.8 | 272.4 | - | - | - | - | 22.8 | 272.4 | 12.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Utilization of Freshwater Fish Ponds
Operational | Non-Operational | Total | ||||||||
State | No of Units | ' 000 ha | % | Total Production (1 000 t/yr) | Av. Yield kg/ha/yr | No of Units | ' 000 ha | % | No of Units | ' 000 ha |
Uttar Pradesh | 37.4 | 34.4 | 20.0 | 8.5 | 250 | 116.6 | 128.0 | 80.0 | 142.6 | 162.0 |
Bihar | 21.0 | 24.4 | 38.0 | 12.6 | 520 | 34.0 | 40.6 | 62.0 | 54.0 | 65.0 |
Madhya Pradesh | 6.1 | 6.0 | 20.0 | 3.9 | 650 | 23.6 | 23.0 | 80.0 | 29.5 | 29.0 |
West Bengal | 97.5 | 78.0 | 51.0 | 73.0 | 940 | 93.8 | 75.0 | 49.0 | 184.6 | 153.0 |
Orissa | 13.0 | 16.0 | 80.0 | 12.0 | 750 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 20.0 | 16.7 | 20.0 |
Total | 175.0 | 158.8 | 37.0 | 110.0 | 727 | 271.4 | 270.6 | 63.0 | 427.4 | 429.0 |
Table 5
Average Size of Freshwater Fish Ponds in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
Range of pond size (in ha) | Approx. area (in ' 000 ha) | Percentage of total |
< 1.0 | 186 | 59 |
1.0 ~ 5.0 | 85 | 27 |
> 5.0 | 44 | 14 |
Total | 315 | 100 |
Table 6
Tenure of Freshwater Fish Ponds in West Bengal
Pond tenure | Number | Percentage of total |
Owner-operators | 78 300 | 82.5 |
Tenants | 15 660 | 16.5 |
Part-owner and part-tenant | 780 | 1.0 |
Total | 94 740 | 100.00 |
Table 7
Prices of Indian Major Carps1
State | Price/kg (in I.Rs.) |
West Bengal | 12.0 |
Maharashtra | 5.5 |
Punjab | 3.5 |
Gujarat | 3.0 |
1 Producer's prices as in November 1977
1. PRESENT SITUATION
Collection of spawn and hatchlings from rivers and other natural water bodies is a traditional method of obtaining Indian major carp seed. The quality of the product is low and the cost of transportation from the seed collection grounds to the fish growers is high. The period of collection is very short and the quantity of the annual collection fluctuates considerably with the variation of climatic conditions. In fact, a rapid decline in both quantity and quality of collection has resulted from the deterioration of river environments in recent years.
Since the latter part of the fifties, Indian scientists have successfully achieved artificial breeding of Asiatic carps (including major Indian and Chinese carps) by application of the hypophysation technique. This achievement has significantly contributed to the methodology of fish seed production, particularly of warm-water fishes.
The process of fish seed production consists of three major steps: (i) care of the brood stock; (ii) spawning and egg hatching, and (iii) seed nursing. Each of these three steps is closely connected with one another. For example, good care of the brood stock will result in a better response to hypophysation and a higher survival rate of fish seed from nursery ponds will produce a batch of healthy hatchlings. Therefore, the fish seed industry needs a balanced development in all aspects required for each of these steps. It seems that, except for the hypophysation technique, information needed for fish seed industry development is often incomplete. For example, data on feed and environmental requirements for the maturation of brood stocks of major carps in ponds is scarse. A practical procedure for major carp seed nursing suitable for commercial fish seed farm production has not yet been well established, and a general belief of aquaculturists is that because of climatic conditions, pituitary hormone injection can induce the major carps to spawn only during the monsoon season, yet there is no strong evidence to support this contention1. It therefore appears that a careful synthesis of available information to fulfil the needs of fish seed industry development is essential.
2. CARE OF BROOD STOCK
One of the techniques adopted at present for fish seed production of warm-water species is to administer fish pituitary hormones to recipient fish to induce spawning. A precondition of a recipient fish to respond to the hormone substance is its ripeness. Unless the recipient fish reaches an advanced stage of maturity, the response to the pituitary hormone is usually negative.
During the period of ovary development, the brood fish require feeds of a higher protein content. For carps, oil-seed meal of high quality is one of the efficient feeds to hasten their gonad development. In addition, feeds rich in vitamin B, like wheat grain, need to be added to the diet of brood stocks during the latter part of the ovary formation period.
3. HYPOPHYSATION
In tropical conditions, good preservation facilities are required for extracted pituitary glands from donor fish, because the potency of the hormone substances contained in the glands is easily lost. For convenience in field operations, the administration of fresh pituitary glands to carp breeders immediately after their extraction from donor carps - particularly from fully ripe common carp - usually gives a positive response. This operation will also result in a substantial saving in the cost of pituitary gland preservation.
In order to increase the effectiveness of pituitary glands, chorionic gonadotrophin - which is available commercially - can be added to the preparation of fish pituitary gland extracts. The additive effect of chorionic gonadotrophin on the pituitary hormone is generally recognized by endocrinologists. In practice, 20 RU of chorionic gonadotrophin added to each dose of carp pituitary preparation will give a satisfactory result and save the carp pituitary to be used.
4. SEED NURSING
Hatchlings of carps will begin feeding before their yolk-sac are completely absorbed. Nursing of carp seed at this growing stage requires an environment provided with gentle currents so that they will have contact with water having a higher oxygen content, giving them a better chance to obtain planktonic food organisms.
Diurnal fluctuations of the water temperature is one of the major factors causing mortality during seed rearing. Therefore indoor nursing facilities are essential for carp hatchlings.
In general, Asiatic carp seed, when grown to about 4 cm in total length, weighing approximately 1 g, has the entire body covered with scales and the fins rather hard and not too delicate. This is considered to be the minimum size for stocking production ponds and for transport, keeping mortality within reasonable limits.
Table 1
State-Owned Fish Seed Farms
State | Number of Units | Total Area (in ' 000 ha) | Production Capacity of 5-cm fingerlings (in millions) |
Uttar Pradesh | 7 | 15 | 0.1 |
Bihar | 17 | 153 | 0.6 |
West Bengal | 13 | 64 | 40.0 |
Orissa | 5 | 72 | 14.0 |
Madhya Pradesh | 7 | 40 | 12.0 |
Andhra Pradesh | 13 | 25 | 20.0 |
Tamil Nadu | 12 | 19 | 65.0 |
Karnataka | 20 | 61 | 52.0 |
Maharashtra | 12 | 18 | 10.0 |
Rajasthan | 5 | 15 | 25.0 |
Punjab | 7 | 16 | 0.7 |
Gujarat | 3 | 5 | 4.0 |
Kerala | 6 | 5 | 4.0 |
Total | 127 | 508 | 247.4 |
Table 2
Estimated Production Cost for Indian Major Carp Seeds in West Bengal1
Cost for 1 Million Hatchlings2
Item | I.Rs. |
Brood fish, 50 kg, at I. Rs. 15/kg | 750 |
Pituitary gland, 450 mg, at I.Rs. 0.2/mg | 90 |
Hapas and equipment | 166 |
Wages | 64 |
Miscellaneous | 30 |
Total | 1 100 |
1 On the basis of information provided by the West Bengal State Fisheries Directorate
2 Hatchling survival rate is about 60%; standard size 0.8 cm
Cost for 1 Million Fry3
Item | I.Rs. | |
Hatchlings, 1.7 million, at I.Rs. 1 100/million | 1 870 | |
Fertilizers and feeds: | ||
mahua oil cake, 1.7 ton, at I.Rs. 600/ton | 1 020 | |
lime, 0.33 ton, at I.Rs. 400/ton | 132 | |
kerosene oil, 130 l, at I.Rs. 1.30/l | 169 | |
cow dung, 3.5 ton, at I.Rs. 100/ton | 350 | |
rice bran, 0.02 ton, at I.Rs. 600/ton | 12 | |
mustard oil cake, 0.02 ton, at I.Rs. 1 600/ton | 32 | |
Wages | 300 | |
Maintenance (earthwork, water gates and equipment) | 1 000 | |
Miscellaneous | 1 655 | |
Total | 6 540 |
3 A standard size of 2.5 cm; the estimated survival rate from hatchling to fry is 60%
Cost for 1 Million Fingerlings4
Item | I.Rs. | |
Hatchlings, 3.3 million, at I.Rs. 1 100/million | 3 300 | |
Fertilizers and feeds: | ||
mahua oil cake, 3.3 ton, at I.Rs. 600/ton | 1 980 | |
lime, 0.66 ton, at I.Rs. 400/ton | 266 | |
kerosene oil, 2.64 l, at I.Rs. 1.30/l | 345 | |
cow dung, 20 ton, at I.Rs. 100/ton | 2 000 | |
rice bran, 0.07 ton, at I.Rs. 600/ton | 42 | |
mustard oil cake, 0.07 ton, at I.Rs. 1 600/ton | 112 | |
Wages | 1 190 | |
Maintenance (earthwork, water gates and equipment) | 1 980 | |
Miscellaneous | 2 185 | |
Total | 13 400 |
4 A standard size of 5 cm; the estimated survival rate from hatchling to fingerling is 30%
Table 3
Estimated Production Cost for Indian Major Carp Seeds in Gujarat1
Production Cost for 1 Million Hatchlings2
Item | I.Rs. |
Brood fish, 60 kg, at I.Rs. 15/kg | 900 |
Pituitary gland, 300 mg, at I.Rs. 0.2/mg | 60 |
Hapas and equipment | 200 |
Wages | 1 150 |
Miscellaneous | 80 |
Total | 2 390 |
1 On the basis of information provided by the Department of Fisheries, Gujarat State
Production Cost for 1 Million Fry3
Item | I.Rs. | |
Hatchlings, 1.7 million, at I.Rs. 2 390/million | 4 063 | |
Fertilizers and feeds: | ||
organic fertilizer, 0.3 ton, at I.Rs. 2 500/ton | 750 | |
inorganic fertilizer, 0.05 ton, at I.Rs. 1 500/ton | 75 | |
supplementary feeding | 2 400 | |
Wages | 5 750 | |
Maintenance | 600 | |
Miscellaneous | 1 942 | |
Total | 15 580 |
Production Cost for 1 Million Fingerlings4
Item | I.Rs. | |
Fry, 4.0 million, at I.Rs. 15 580/million | 63 320 | |
Fertilizers and feeds: | ||
organic fertilizer, 1.2 ton, at I.Rs. 2 500/ton | 3 000 | |
inorganic fertilizer, 0.15 ton, at I.Rs. 1 500/ton | 225 | |
supplementary feeding | 9 600 | |
Wages | 23 000 | |
Maintenance | 1 400 | |
Miscellaneous | 6 000 | |
Total | 106 545 |
Table 4
Tentative Grading of Asiatic Carp Seed and Prices
Grade | Size | Price1 | |||
Standard length (cm) | Standard weight (no/kg) | I.Rs./1 000 | I.Rs./kg | ||
Grade I, or | 5.0 | 700 | 60 | 42 | |
standard size2 | (4.0 ~ 6.0) | (500 ~ 900) | |||
Grade II | 7.0 | 350 | 100 | 35 | |
(6.0~ 8.0) | (200 ~ 500) | ||||
Grade III | 9.0 | 150 | 200 | 30 | |
(8.0 ~ 10.0) |
Table 5
Commercial Price of Fish Seed in India
State | Species1 | Size | Price2 (I.Rs./1 000) | ||
Total length (in cm) | Approximate no. per kg | ||||
Maharashtra | Rohu + Mrigal | 5.0 – 7.5 | 300 – | 600 | 120 |
Catla | 5.0 – 7.5 | 200 – | 500 | 140 | |
Madhya Pradesh | Major carps | 3.0 – 6.0 | 500 – | 1 000 | 100 |
Major carps | 6.0 – 10.0 | 100 – | 500 | 150 | |
Rajasthan | Major carps | 1.5 – 2.0 | 2 000 – | 3 000 | 100 |
Mysore | Mirror carp | 2.5 – 5.0 | 700 – | 1 200 | 850 |
Catla | 5.0 – 10.0 | 80 – | 200 | 850 | |
Hyderabad | Catla | 12.5 – 15.0 | 30 – | 80 | 270 |
Rohu | 12.5 – 15.0 | 50 – | 100 | 240 | |
Mrigal | 12.5 – 15.0 | 70 – | 120 | 350 | |
Punjab | Catla | 2.5 – 5.0 | 600 – | 900 | 100 |
Rohu | 5.0 – 10.0 | 100 – | 600 | 200 | |
Mrigal | 5.0 – 12.0 | 100 – | 600 | 250 | |
Mirror or common carp | 5.0 – 12.0 | 100 – | 600 | 250 | |
West Bengal | Major carps | 5.0 – 10.0 | 100 – | 600 | 280 |
Silver carp | 5.0 – 10.0 | 100 – | 600 | 300 |
1 Major carps include Rohu, Mrigal and Catla
2 Average prices; second half of 1976
1. GENERAL
In order to promote fish farming and to overcome constraints in respect of extension, training, financing and the land tenure system, a central scheme of development, the “Fish Farmers' Development Agencies” (FFDA) was created. The first FFDAs were established on a pilot basis during 1972–74 in several states of India. Experience to date shows that these agencies can play a successful role in developing fish farming and indications are that they are more successful than the inland fisheries cooperatives. Thirty-three FFDAs had been set up in India by November 1977 and by the end of 1977 the total number was expected to reach 50 agencies.
2. OBJECTIVES
The general objective of FFDAs is to effectively introduce and popularize improved techniques of fish culture so as to progressively step up inland fish production and augment fish supplies to the public. The specific objectives are to: (i) progressively reclaim and bring all fallow and cultivable water areas, such as swamps, bheels, silted-up tanks or ponds, water-logged areas, etc., under optimum fish production in the area of operation of the Agencies, (ii) to organize the work of each Agency in such a way that it serves as a nucleus activity for further spread to other areas, (iii) provide training and popularize a new avocation and thereby provide increased employment, and (iv) contribute to the strengthening of rural economy by making fish farming economically viable.
The FFDAs are intended to provide the mechanism to coordinate the roles of various agencies connected with fish culture and to integrate various aspects of fish farming such as training of selected persons in modern techniques of fish farming, arranging funds to enable them to improve the water bodies and organizing necessary supplies and services, including marketing. This should result in the building up of a trained cadre of fish farmers to undertake intensive fish culture and in the involvement of financing institutions to provide loans for excavating new ponds or for improving existing ponds.
3. FISH FARMERS TO BE COVERED BY FFDAs
The area of operation of an FFDA is generally a revenue district and it provides assistance and facilities to the following categories of fish farmers: (i) fishermen's cooperatives that would sponsor some of their members for training at central/state level training centres - at least one candidate for every two hectares of pond area and at least one additional candidate for every additional two hectares or part thereof, (ii) private candidates, recruited and trained at state/central level fishery training centres, (iii) those who have some knowledge of fish culture such as lessees of government-/local body-owned waters and who are given an orientation course at selected state fish farms for about a fortnight, and (iv) pond owners/agriculturists having low-lying land or tanks and who are given an orientation course as mentioned above.
Ownership or long-term holding of water resources by the fish farmers is essential to facilitate improvements to the resources and sustained production effort. In the case of water bodies owned by the state government/local bodies, it is proposed to grant long-term leases to selected candidates so that they can obtain funds from a financing institution for capital investment and develop the resources on their own, with all the necessary assistance available from the Agency. Tanks and ponds are given on lease by the government/local body for a duration of 15 years and low-lying areas are given on hire purchase lease for a period of 9 years. After repaying the loans in a period of about nine years, the fish farmers can enjoy the benefits for a further period of 6 years, in the case of existing tanks and ponds. After the expiry of the lease, it is extended for a further period, provided the lessee fulfils the lease conditions satisfactorily. In the case of low-lying areas given on hire-purchase, the newly excavated pond becomes his own after the lease period of 9 years. The lessees are given all necessary rights to make investments during the lease period and it is their responsibility to attend to the work relating to excavation or improvements to ponds. The Agency, however, assumes responsibility for providing the necessary organizational support for execution of the work. The Agency also extends the necessary help and offer advice and guidance. The loan agreement is entered into directly by the lessee with the bank concerned, as per the advice of the Agency.
4. FINANCING
Financing requirements are to be met as follows:
Loans to fish farmers from commercial banks according to the advice given by the FFDA.
Funds for training of fish farmers and provision of inputs to farmers from the Central Bank through the State Government to the FFDA.
Assistance given to fish farmers by the FFDA in inputs supply and marketing.
5. ORGANIZATION
A Fish Farmers' Development Agency has to be registered as an organization under the Registration of Societies Act and each FFDA should have a managing committee under the chairmanship of the district collector/deputy commissioner of the district and an office and executive wing headed by a chief executive officer.
Membership of the Managing Committee:
1. | District Collector/Deputy Commissioner of the District | Chairman |
2. | Chairman, Zilla Parishad | Vice-Chairman |
3. | Deputy Director of Fisheries or a senior officer nominated by the Director of Fisheries (to be specified) | Member |
4. | Executive Engineer concerned (to be specified) | Member |
5. | District Panchayat Officer | Member |
6. | Agent/Manager of the Commercial Bank concerned | Member |
7. | Nominee of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation | Member |
8. | A representative of the fish farmers to be nominated by the State Government at the appropriate time on the recommendation of the Managing Committee | Member |
9. | Chief Executive Officer of the Agency | Member Secretary |
The executive wing consists of the following:
1. OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the proposed technical assistance is to strengthen the organization and operation of the fish farming extension service.
2. MAJOR ACTIVITIES
The major activities would be as follows:
Strengthening the organization of fish farming extension systems and setting up of field extension programmes of the State Fisheries Departments of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Karnataka.
Organization of seminars on fish farming development for senior staff of the Fisheries Departments in order to build up a group of core personnel at the State Government level for undertaking various activities in fish farming project planning, programming and implementation.
Organization of training courses for field extension workers, in fish farm production and management, and the methods of farm extension.
3. BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS
Budgetary requirements for this sub-project component are estimated as follows:
(in thousands of U.S.$) | ||||||
1 | - | Personnel Services | ||||
Extension Coordinator | 60 m/m | 330 | ||||
Instructors (recruited from the country) | 240 m/m | 120 | ||||
Consultants | 30 m/m | 165 | ||||
Component Total | 615 | |||||
2 | - | Facilities and Equipment | ||||
Building | 400 m2 | 80 | ||||
Equipment | 35 | |||||
Visual aids | 23 | |||||
Four-wheel-drive vehicles | 12 units | 96 | ||||
Motor cycles | 54 units | 81 | ||||
Component Total | 315 | |||||
3 | - | Travel expenses for trainees | 20 | |||
4 | - | Operations and maintenance | 250 | |||
Grand Total | 1 200 |
Table 1
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT COST FOR A 3-HA MODEL FISH SEED FARM
Item | Total Volume or Unit | Unit Cost1 (I.Rs.) | Total Cost (I.Rs.) | |
Earthwork: | ||||
Perimeter dike2 | 7 000 m3 | 4.00 | 28 000 | |
Partition dikes3 | 10 500 m3 | 4.00 | 42 000 | |
Water canals4 | 7 000 m3 | 4.25 | 29 750 | |
Levelling of pond bottom5 | 17 500 m2 | 0.70 | 12 250 | |
Embankment protection6 | 1 800 m | 8.00 | 14 400 | |
Road7 | 870 m2 | 30.00 | 26 100 | |
Component Total | 152 500 | |||
Water gates: | ||||
Main gate8 | 1 set | 8 700 | 8 700 | |
Division boxes9 | 4 sets | 7 700 | 30 800 | |
Subsidiary gates10 | 8 sets | 5 800 | 46 400 | |
Component Total | 85 900 | |||
Hatching facilities: | ||||
Hatchery building11 | 60 m2 | 31 000 | 31 000 | |
Water tank12 | 1 unit | 8 500 | 8 500 | |
Pumping house13 | 1 unit | 7 500 | 7 500 | |
Tube well, pipes and installation14 | 1 set | 8 000 | 8 000 | |
Component Total | 55 000 | |||
Building: | ||||
Office building15 | 40 m2 | 650.00 | 26 000 | |
Fencing | 250 m | 20.00 | 5 000 | |
Component Total | 31 000 | |||
Direct Construction Cost | 324 400 | |||
Indirect Construction Cost16 | 32 500 | |||
Construction Cost | 356 900 | |||
Equipment: | ||||
Pick-up truck17 | 1 unit | 15 000 | 15 000 | |
Portable water pump18 | 1 unit | 25 000 | 25 000 | |
Electrical water pump19 | 1 unit | 2 500 | 2 500 | |
Fishing gear, hatching nets and tools | 1 set | 5 000 | 5 000 | |
Component Total | 47 500 | |||
Land: | 3 ha | 10 000 | 30 000 | |
Component Total | 30 000 | |||
GRAND TOTAL | 434 400 |
Footnotes to Table 1:
2 682 m with an average cross-section of approximately 10 m2
4 672 m with a cross-section of 10 m2, and 134 m with a cross-section of 2 m2
5 Including cutting and filling
7 290 m of paved road with a top width of 3 m
8 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (90 cm in diameter)
9 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (60 cm in diameter)
10 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (45 cm in diameter)
12 A capacity of 4 m3 with reinforced concrete and masonry structure
13 The floor space is 11 m2, constructed with reinforced concrete masonry slab
14 Tube well with a casing of about 50 m deep and 10 cm in diameter
15 The floor space is about 40 m2, constructed with masonry and reinforced concrete slab
16 For the costs of survey, design and supervision of the pond construction work
17 Three-wheel pick-up truck with a loading capacity of about 0.5 ton
18 Portable, low-waterhead diesel water pump with a capacity of 50 litre per second
19 Electrical water pump with a capacity of 50 litre per minute
ANNEX 5 - Table 2
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT COST FOR A 10-HA MODEL FISH SEED FARM
Item | Total Volume or Unit | Unit Cost1 (I.Rs.) | Total Cost (I.Rs.) | |
Earthwork: | ||||
Perimeter dike2 | 13 500 m3 | 4.00 | 54 000 | |
Partition dikes3 | 26 500 m3 | 4.00 | 106 000 | |
Water canals4 | 13 000 m3 | 4.25 | 55 250 | |
Levelling of pond bottom5 | 61 500 m2 | 0.70 | 43 050 | |
Embankment protection6 | 3 900 m | 8.00 | 31 200 | |
Road7 | 1 650 m2 | 30.00 | 49 500 | |
Component Total | 339 000 | |||
Water gates: | ||||
Main water gate8 | 1 set | 8 700 | 8 700 | |
Division boxes9 | 4 sets | 7 700 | 30 800 | |
Subsidiary gates10 | 12 sets | 5 800 | 69 600 | |
Component Total | 109 100 | |||
Hatching facilities: | ||||
Hatchery building11 | 82 m2 | 46 000 | 46 000 | |
Water tank12 | 1 unit | 13 500 | 13 500 | |
Pumping house13 | 1 unit | 7 500 | 7 500 | |
Tube well, pipes and installation14 | 1 set | 8 000 | 8 000 | |
Component Total | 75 000 | |||
Building: | ||||
Office building15 | 40 m2 | 650.00 | 26 000 | |
Fencing | 270 m | 20.00 | 5 400 | |
Component Total | 31 400 | |||
Direct Construction Cost | 554 500 | |||
Indirect Construction Cost16 | 55 500 | |||
Construction Cost | 610 000 | |||
Equipment: | ||||
Pick-up truck17 | 1 unit | 15 000 | 15 000 | |
Portable water pump18 | 1 unit | 45 000 | 45 000 | |
Electrical water pump19 | 1 unit | 3 500 | 3 500 | |
Fishing gear, hatching nets and tools | 1 set | 6 000 | 6 000 | |
Component Total | 69 500 | |||
Land: | 10 ha | 10 000 | 100 000 | |
Component Total | 100 000 | |||
GRAND TOTAL | 779 500 |
Footnotes to Table 2:
2 1 290 m with an average cross-section of approximately 10 m2
4 1 240 m with a cross-section of 10 m2, and 220 m with a cross-section of 2 m2
5 Including cutting and filling
7 550 m of paved road with a top width of 3 m
8 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (90 cm in diameter)
9 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (60 cm in diameter)
10 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (45 cm in diameter)
12 A capacity of 8 m3 with reinforced concrete and masonry structure
13 The floor space is 11 m2, constructed with reinforced concrete masonry slab
14 Tube well with a casing of about 50 m deep and 10 cm in diameter
15 The floor space is about 40 m2, constructed with masonry and reinforced concrete slab
16 For the costs of survey, design and supervision of the pond construction work
17 Three-wheel pick-up truck with a loading capacity of about 0.5 ton
18 Portable, low-waterhead diesel water pump with a capacity of 100 litre per second
19 Electrical water pump with a capacity of 100 litre per minute
ANNEX 5 - Table 3
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT COST FOR A 25-HA MODEL FISH SEED FARM
Item | Total Volume or Unit | Unit Cost1 (I.Rs.) | Total Cost (I.Rs.) | |
Earthwork: | ||||
Perimeter dike2 | 20 500 m3 | 4.00 | 82 000 | |
Partition dikes3 | 54 000 m3 | 4.00 | 216 000 | |
Water canals4 | 20 500 m3 | 4.25 | 87 125 | |
Levelling of pond bottom5 | 164 000 m2 | 0.70 | 114 800 | |
Embankment protection6 | 10 080 m | 8.00 | 80 640 | |
Road7 | 2 700 m2 | 30.00 | 81 000 | |
Component Total | 661 565 | |||
Water gates: | ||||
Main water gate8 | 1 set | 8 700 | 8 700 | |
Division boxes9 | 4 sets | 7 700 | 30 800 | |
Subsidiary gates10 | 24 sets | 5 800 | 139 200 | |
Component Total | 178 700 | |||
Hatching facilities: | ||||
Hatchery building11 | 116 m2 | 55 000 | 55 000 | |
Water tank12 | 1 unit | 16 500 | 16 500 | |
Pumping house13 | 1 unit | 7 500 | 7 500 | |
Tube well, pipes and installation14 | 1 set | 8 000 | 8 000 | |
Component Total | 87 000 | |||
Building: | ||||
Office building15 | 40 m2 | 650.00 | 26 000 | |
Fencing | 300 m | 20.00 | 6 000 | |
Component Total | 32 000 | |||
Direct Construction Cost | 959 265 | |||
Indirect Construction Cost16 | 95 935 | |||
Construction Cost | 1 055 200 | |||
Equipment: | ||||
Truck17 | 1 unit | 100 000 | 100 000 | |
Portable water pump18 | 1 unit | 45 000 | 45 000 | |
Electrical water pump19 | 1 unit | 5 000 | 5 000 | |
Fishing gear, hatching nets and tools | 1 unit | 10 000 | 10 000 | |
Component Total | 160 000 | |||
Land: | 25 ha | 10 000 | 250 000 | |
Component Total | 250 000 | |||
GRAND TOTAL | 1 465 200 |
Footnotes to Table 3:
2 2 026 m with an average cross-section of approximately 10 m2
4 1 910 m with a cross-section of 10 m2, and 523 m with a cross-section of 2 m2
5 Including cutting and filling
7 900 m of paved road with a top width of 3 m
8 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (90 cm in diameter)
9 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (60 cm in diameter)
10 With masonry, concrete and prefabricated pipe (45 cm in diameter)
12 A capacity of 12 m3 with reinforced concrete and masonry structure
13 The floor space is 11 m2, constructed with reinforced concrete masonry slab
14 Tube well with a casing of about 50 m deep and 10 cm in diameter
15 The floor space is about 40 m2, constructed with masonry and reinforced concrete slab
16 For the costs of survey, design and supervision of the pond construction work
17 Three-wheel pick-up truck with a loading capacity of about 3.5 ton
18 Portable, low-waterhead diesel water pump with a capacity of 100 litre per second
19 Electrical water pump with a capacity of 200 litre per minute