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Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are a rich source of essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making them a vital component of rural diets. Despite their nutritional significance, SIS are often undervalued and excluded from aquaculture in favor of larger commercial species.
This study highlights an initiative by ICAR-CIFA in Tripura to promote and protect small fish species through sustainable farming practices. Training programs were conducted to educate local farmers on breeding, feeding, and rearing techniques tailored to SIS. Live food production was emphasised to improve larval survival rates, and mixed-species culture strategies were developed to enhance production efficiency. The initiative demonstrated that small fish farming is a viable livelihood option, particularly in backyard water bodies, providing food security, income generation, and biodiversity conservation.
]]>Northeast India faces significant nutrition security challenges, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where high stunting and anemia rates persist despite high per capita caloric intake. This article explores sustainable freshwater snail farming as a viable solution to address these nutritional deficiencies while enhancing rural livelihoods.
Freshwater snails, such as Pila globosa, Bellamya bengalensis, and Brotia costula, offer high protein content and essential minerals, particularly calcium and iron. Their nutritional value surpasses many plant-based protein sources and compares well with traditional livestock products. The study outlines three practical snail farming systems suited to different farming conditions. Economic analysis reveals that a small-scale backyard system can generate up to 1,800 kg of snails annually, yielding a 272% return on investment within five months. With proper training, infrastructure, and market linkages, freshwater snail farming can play a useful role in improving food security, economic resilience, and rural development in Northeast India.
]]>Indian aquaculture has expanded beyond major carps to include diverse species such as catfish, driven by high consumer demand for their taste, soft flesh, and live marketability. However, the sector faces a major challenge: the lack of captive seed production. Relying on wild seed collection is unsustainable, necessitating the development of controlled breeding techniques. This article provides an overview of induced breeding and seed production methods for key catfish species, including Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Wallago attu, Ompok spp., Mystus cavasius, Rita chrysea, Horabagrus brachysoma, and Pangasius pangasius. By adopting these techniques, Indian fish farmers can enhance catfish seed availability, supporting the government’s push for aquaculture diversification. Sustainable captive breeding will reduce pressure on wild populations while ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality catfish seed for commercial farming.
]]>Northeast India, a region rich in freshwater biodiversity, has significant potential for aquaculture development, yet faces challenges due to its hilly terrain, cold climate, and limited availability of suitable fish species. Indigenous minor carps, such as Labeo bata, L. gonius, Cirrhinus reba, Osteobrama belangeri, Bangana devdevi, and B. dero, offer a promising alternative to Indian major carps due to their adaptability to local conditions, shorter culture periods, and high market demand. These species perform well in lower temperatures, shallow waters, and seasonal ponds, making them ideal for sustainable aquaculture in mid- and high-altitude areas. Their omnivorous feeding habits allow for cost-effective diets, reducing reliance on expensive commercial feed. Expanding minor carp aquaculture will contribute to food security, economic growth, and the conservation of native fish species in Northeast India.
]]>India's shrimp farming industry plays a crucial role in the national economy, with Penaeus vannamei dominating production and exports. Despite India being one of the world's largest shrimp producers, domestic shrimp consumption remains low. This article explores the economic significance of farmed shrimp, the challenges faced by shrimp farmers in West Bengal, and the potential for expanding the domestic market to enhance industry sustainability. Promoting farmed shrimp consumption within India is a viable strategy to stabilize the industry. Increasing consumer awareness of shrimp’s health benefits, developing efficient distribution networks, and leveraging marketing initiatives could enhance domestic demand. Government agencies, industry associations, and private enterprises must collaborate to establish shrimp as a mainstream protein source in Indian diets, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability for shrimp farmers.
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Freshwater prawn farming has emerged as a viable alternative livelihood for rural communities in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA). This World Bank-assisted initiative has supported tribal self-help groups and user groups in adopting aquaculture as a sustainable income source. Through capacity-building programs, exposure visits, and technical support, beneficiaries have successfully engaged in fish and prawn farming, enhancing food security and financial stability. The study evaluates the impact of freshwater prawn farming in two Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) in Karanjia and Shyamakhunta blocks, where genetically improved fish and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (scampi) were introduced. Despite challenges such as erratic weather and fluctuating water conditions, both sites demonstrated promising survival and growth rates, with MIP2 yielding superior production due to favorable water availability and market proximity. Economic analysis confirmed the feasibility and profitability of integrating freshwater prawn farming with modern aquaculture techniques.
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