The population of the world is constantly increasing, so to meet the demand for nutritional foods we select various ways. Fish farming is one of them and the most amount of nutrition that we get for our daily physical needs comes from fish. According to the available information, in order to get balanced nutrition, a person needs to eat at least 45 grams of fish per day on average, but we eat only 20-45 grams of fish. Therefore, in order to meet the demand for fish of the people, fish production targets are set in different innovative plans.
In order to achieve such goals, it is necessary to increase fish farming with appropriate technology. Successful application of science-based technology in a sufficient number of rivers, canals, and fish farming ponds of our country will be able to meet the demand for fish of the growing population of the country by producing the desired amount of fish. With a fish farming guide, it will be possible to reduce unemployment by creating employment for the people of rural. Increasing export earnings, it will be possible to alleviate poverty and accelerate the development of the national economy. Like other countries in the world, our country also cultivates single and integrated fish farming.
With this in mind, the concept, requirements, techniques and about integrated fish farming were discussing in this section that attempts to provide a comprehensive idea of the fish farmers and other beneficiaries:
#What Is Fish Farming?
Most of us want to know what is fish farming? How to start fish farming? And other so many questions. Here we will try to answer all questions answers. Fish farming is a technique or method of producing more fish than is naturally available in the natural fertility of a water body. If we define it with an explanation manner then it is the technique or method of producing more fish at a specified time through stocking, application of fertilizers, feeding, and proper management of the right species of fish in the water.
The farmers raise fishes for personal or commercial profit. For high demand for fishes worldwide, modern farming technology helps to grow in an artificial environment.
#How To Start Fish Farming In India:
Most of the time people want to know how to start fish farming at home? Well, we try to answer this briefly in this article. In providing jobs, earning foreign exchange, and providing nutrition, farming of fish plays a major role. It is possible to farm various fish species in the same pond, canals, and cages. Fish farming is the production in a certain water body of more fish than natural production in a planned manner with low resources, short time, and suitable technology by following the various fish laws.
In order to benefit from this farming, some special rules must be followed by fish farmers at every point, from the fish farming plan to the marketing. Ignorance or incompetence or wrongfulness of fish farmers is an obstacle to profitable farming. In our everyday diet, fish is a significant ingredient. Because of the high demand for fish, it is possible to earn a good income from indoor fish farming.
It is possible to make a profit by selling fish in remote markets, in addition to the local market. In addition, by selling fish overseas, it is possible to gain foreign currency. For farming, you need essential fish farming equipment. Here we discuss how to start fish farming following effective tips:
Pumps: pump is one of the most important equipment to start fish farming. It helps to supply constantly water outside the pond.
Water testing equipment: this equipment helps to examine the water that used in farming is good for fish or not.
Net: net help to gather various types of fishes harvesting and catching large amount of fishes.
Fish tanks-ponds: this equipment is very essential for harvesting and marketing fishes as it helps to hold the fishes. These tank ponds enable to provide better environment to the fishes.
Now we discuss step by step of how to start fish farming in India:
1. Select an Apposite Land Area:
The first step to start farming is to select appropriate land with good size, having soil quality, and having enough source of water. You can buy the land or use your own land for this farming. Land size is important as in future if you want to increase your commercial business then you can use that land. Soil is also important in this farming method. The quality soil can help to grow fishes and build the quality. Constant supply of water is vital for this farming. If we don’t able to provide enough water supply then can’t able to produce healthy fish. So must find out the place where enough source of water is.
2. Pond Design and Construction:
There isn’t any value of poor design of pond and construction. It is valuable to select well constructed and designed ponds where you can farm various types of fishes and earn good money. We must follow these tips before start farming of fish:
- The pond should be in an open sunny place and around the house to ensure safety.
- Soil quality is very important for the pond. Generally Loam soil and clayey soil is good for ponds.
- The depth of the pond should be 2-3 meters and there should be water throughout the years.
- There should be no big trees or bushes on the banks of the pond. Especially deciduous trees cannot be kept.
Inflow and outflow: you should ensure that the water flow is constantly as it is favorable for the fish.
Good management: you must cover up the overall the pond management system when constructing the pond.
Shape and size: must select higher shallow ponds as shape and size plays vital role in this farming.
Good drainage: good drainage is important as it help to regulate the outflow and inflow.
Spaces between the ponds: if there isn’t any spaces between the ponds then imagine what happens. You face various challenging when you feed them and also face difficulties in harvesting. So proving spaces is must.
What to do:
- To repair the edge and floor of the pond
- To clear the bushes of the banks
- Clear aquatic weeds;
- Eliminate giant and unwanted fish;
- Pond drying; repeatedly pulling nets;
- Drug application – Rotenone, Phostoxin etc.
3. Use lime:
Use lime for regulates pH, water purification, the disease destroys germs, Increases fish immunity, Removes toxic gases; Controls algae. Lime can never mix with anything plastic. In case of fish in the pool, lime should be given in the pond 2 days after mixing. The water must be stirred; Fertilizer application: Fertilizer application helps in increasing natural food production; Organic fertilizer and natural that make animal particles.
4. Selecting the Fish Species:
More than there are 260 types of fish in the freshwater of our country. There are also hundreds of kinds of fish in the bay and in salt water. However, the cultivable fishes are- Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Kalibaus, Silvercarp, Mirrorcarp, Grasscarp, Commoncarp, Bighead, Rajputi, Nilotica, Exotic Magur, Pangas etc.
The above fish are growing very fast; Don’t fight with each other for food and space; it is important to select large pond area; Receives food from all heights of water, and the pond atmosphere stays good; There is a huge demand for these fish in the market; Is not easily diseased.
It is better to arrange the pond for profitable fish farming. If a fishpond is not appropriate for fish farming and if farming is started without preparing the pond, the asset will be in huge hazard. Fishpond should be equipped following technical methods to avoid risks and make sure extras.
5. Feeding the Fish:
As more than 70% of fish farming costs food, quality food is one of the key requirements for successful fish farming. It provides the market with food and prepares the food itself. If the food is not sufficiently nutritious and sufficient for the fish’s size and age, there will be no benefit. By buying substandard food, many farmers suffer. Furthermore, the nutritional value of the food can be known if the food is checked in the laboratory. If there is less food produced, just as there is no planned development of fish, too much food is lost. It wastes both food and money and, due to water contamination, kills fish.
The number of fish food is usually unknown, so it is not possible to have the correct amount of food since a similarity occurs as a food experiment. Therefore, the number and average weight of the fish should be known and the quality of the water should be taken into account and the necessary amount of food should be given. In lieu of daily meals, many have occasional and irregular meals. By supplying food in this way, it is not possible to grow fish commercially. The farmer is unable to benefit if the farmer fails to supply food in the middle of the financial year.
In the processing of natural food in the water for fish farming, organic and inorganic fertilizers play a positive role. Only by applying fertilizer do many farmers want to grow fish. The use of additional fertilizers from this concept brings risk. The plankton bloom in the water causes problems and the water is lost at one point and the fish dies because of gas in the pond. So fertilizer should only be provided if it is not necessary. It is very important to have proper food management of fish.
6. Fish Harvesting:
In cases where you are catching all the fish, this achieved using either a net or draining away all the volume of water. It should remember that different food species harvested at various times and at different weight levels. You should ensure that they harvested in the right way and at the right time for you to get optimum food and to provide your customers with better fish.
7. Regular survey weight and health care:
The average weight of the fish must take every 10-15 days. Otherwise, the exact amount of food not determined. If you do not take the weight of the fish, the farmer cannot understand whether the increase in fish is satisfactory or disappointing. Leaving the fry and providing food does not end the responsibility of the farmer. Fish health care and monitoring is a big job. If any abnormal behavior of the fish or any abnormality is seen or injured in the body, the fishery specialist or fisheries officer should be consulted.
However, if the fish is more focused on disease prevention than treatment, fish farmers can avoid damage. In the implementation of a healthy farming system, fish farming is getting treatment, various medicines, and nutrients that can be availed by the farmers. Various companies are also marketing various products in our country. Many times they deceived by buying these cheaply. Again, not knowing the correct usage rules or not using the right amount is not getting benefits. For this reason, on the advice of a fisherman or an experienced farmer, the right medicine, at the right dose, at the right time, and application rules must be followed.
Farmers can harm if they catch fish from the same pond for a few days at a time. This is because if the net pulled for a few days in a row, other fish stop taking food, so the weight of the fish reduced and some fish may die due to injury. For this reason, you should take a break from fishing for several days in a row.
8. Fish transport:
If the fish do not transport properly, the fish farmer may come to the end of the farming and may be affected. Fish that transported alive often die due to overcrowding or some other defect. In this case, moderate fish with clean water should transport in plastic drums. Nowadays car rental with drums is available. Horn, catfish, koi fish transported in this way. It must be kept in the air for some time before being taken to the drum. If you stop feeding 8-10 hours before fishing, the fish will live longer. Other fish should be frozen at a distance. If the fish farmers are a little careful and show skill in every step of the way, they can be sure to benefit from the loss or damage.
9. Processing and preservation of fish:
The fish should not handle too much during processing; After fishing, the fish should separate according to its shape; Arrange the fish in layers with ice in boxes or containers; Fish preserved with salt either dry or wet; They have to be boiled by cutting the fish, removing the entrails and head. Then mix it with salt, oil, spice wheel and arrange it beautifully in a tin container. This is called fish canning method.
Ice should cut into small pieces and the bottom of the basket or packing box should thicken and the fish should be packed with ice in layers; Commercial fish must store a lot at low cost in cold storage; It can preserve by letting the fish dry on the sand or by pulling the rope and drying it well in the sun. However, eating fresh fish is more delicious and profitable.
#Fish production techniques
1. Traditional method of fish farming:
In this method, without any management of the pond, the natural food that made in the water by the fertility of the soil and water, the fish lives by eating. There is no need to take separate care;
2. Semi-intensive method of fish farming:
In this method, fish produced by preparing ponds regularly and providing partial fertilizer and food. Fish foods must release keeping in view the proper use of food produced at different levels of the pond.
3. Intensive fish farming:
To increase the production of natural food in the pond by ensuring well-planned overall management for more production in less space, in less time
4. Mixed farming of carp fish:
Rui, Katla, Mrigel, Kalibaus, Bighead, Silvercarp, Mirrorcarp, Commoncarp, Carpio farmed together to make full use of the food produced at different levels of the pond.
# Types Of Fish Farming:
1. Extensive Fish Farming:
In extensive fish farming, the production is based on the use of both organic fertilizer and organic fertilizer. The pond’s fertilization promotes the increase of normal plants that are the main food chain in the pond for the fish. Here the ponds feed on bottom-dwelling, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and smaller fish. This type of production is more effective than integrated with other livestock productions. The extensive farm usually conducted on the medium-large sized ponds. In this farming, fish production depends on natural productivity. The capital investment is low and the quantity of fish production is low; briefly, overall the fish production factors are low but the labor is high.
Example: Carp, Tilapia are the best example of extensive fish farming. These types of fish eat plankton directly from water.
2. Intensive Fish Farming:
In the intensive fish farming method, it is more dependent on the commercial feeds than the ability of natural foods. The intensive system assures the quantity of the fish production, and per unit the production value is great. Intensive methods overall depend on the artificial ways to improve the production conditions. High technology enhances these methods and the investment is high. For this farming water purification is a must, the fish feed cost is high as these have a higher level of amino acid and protein.
Example: Salmon is the example of intensive fish farming.
#Issues & Solves:
1. Gulping:
When there is a lack of oxygen in the water, the fish floats on the water and gulping. That is, it tries to take in oxygen from the air. We think the fish is eating water. The fish are very tired. This reduces the yield of fish.
To solve this you need to do swimming in the water, beating the bamboo on the water, creating a wave by putting a pump in the pond, increasing the oxygen by moving the water. Oxygen can also be increased by providing new water.
2. Water Pollution Caused By Carbon Dioxide:
When carbon dioxide in the water rises, the fish become poisoned and have difficulty breathing. The fish floated in the water. Carbon dioxide is reduced by increasing oxygen by stirring water as a remedy for gulping. Excess mud must remove while constructing the pond.
3. Ammonia Problems:
When ammonia increases in the pond, the color of the water becomes copper or black. This increases the fish’s running. Fish do not eat food. Growth disrupted. The stock density of fish should reduce. Fertilizer and food application should stop temporarily. Need to supply new water.
4. Nitrogen Problems:
When the amount of nitrogen in the water increases, the circulation of oxygen in the body of the fish interrupted and it causes toxicity. The body of the fish is brown in color. The fish stops eating. The density of fish in the pond should reduce. 250 mg salt per liter should give in the pond.
5. PH Problems:
When the pH in the water decreases, a lot of slippery substance comes out from the body of the fish. Fish eat less food. When the pH is high, natural food production decreases and fish food demand decreases. The body is rough. The fish are diseased. If the pH is low, lime, gypsum 1 to 2 kg should apply in the pond. If the pH is high, the stalks of tamarind should soak in the pond for three-four days and then removed. Tamarind can dissolve in water.
6. Green Layer On The Water:
If the watercolor of the pond becomes dark green or algae grow on the water, application of food and fertilizer should be stopped. 12 to 15 grams of mulberry or copper sulfate percent should divide into small bags and keep in bamboo poles under 10 to 15 cm of water. 800 to 1200 grams of lime should apply in each percent pond.
7. Red Layer On The Water:
If a red layer falls on the water of the pond, it cleaned by making a rope by twisting the dry leaves of paddy straw or banana tree and floating it on the water.
8. Water Turbidity:
When the water is turbid, the fish eats less food, does not see with an open eye, natural food not produced, there are problems in reproduction and diseases are more. 60 to 180 grams of alum should give percent. Adding more organic manure during pond construction permanently removes turbidity. Putting banana leaves and water hyacinth in water also reduces turbidity.
#Fish farming in India:
Indian fish farming is an important part of providing the security of nutrition, food production, contributing financially doing exporting and engaging people of this country. Geographically India has the chance to produce fishes for its situation and grab the world market. It is providing 6.3% of global fish production. Here in urban areas, the youths amaze to do fish farming in hatcheries. This path also reduces the jobless and earning a good amount of foreign money. Fish farming in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, and Haryana makes a place to produce more fishes. Fish farming in Kerala gains popularity. In various places, we can observe mixed fish farming methods for example paddy-fish integration into the freshwater.
For domestic and commercial purposes, the Indian people farm fish of various species. But mainly we can see catla, rohu, mrigal carp, hybrid magur, shingi, tilapia, murrels, giant tiger prawn (for bulk production), etc. The future of this animal husbandry in India is very positive. There are about 695 Far Science Centers, NGOs, and Research Institutes that help to develop the farming method.