Comments
The Marine Products Export Development Authority has successfully demonstrated open pond culture of Asian Seabass ( Lates calcarifer ) which can increase the yield of this commercially important fish.
This variety is much-in-demand with huge export potential. Small and marginal farmers can adopt this method of culture in a cost-effective manner. The demonstration was made by Rajiv Gandhi Centre of Aquaculture (RGCA), the R&D arm of MPEDA, at its demonstration farm at Karaikal in Puducherry. Seabass, which is reared through cage culture, fetches a price of more than ₹400 a kg in the domestic market.
MPEDA Chairman A Jayathilak, who witnessed the first catch of huge sizes of Seabass fish (average weight of 1.5 to 2 kg) totalling 1.10 tonnes being caught in a single haul from the Karaikal demonstration farm, said it would be the best alternate species for shrimp which contributes more than 70 per cent of seafood exports.
In the future the production will be scaled up by keeping in mind the sustainability and eco-friendly culture practices, he said, adding that the technology for commercial production would be made available to farmers very soon by RGCA. Under the open pond culture method, its yield can go up to 9 tonnes per hectare. RGCA is concentrating its research on seed production, nursery rearing and grow-out methods of various species like cobia, artemia, scampi, tilapia, pompano, grouper and red snapper fishes for both brackish and marine waters.
While Genetically Improved Farmed tilapia is suited for fresh water aquaculture, mudcrab and artemia are also the best species for diversified aquaculture, which suits women entrepreneurs, especially self-help groups, he said.
Marine products export has been projected at 11.35 lakh tonnes worth $ six billion in 2017-18, which is more from $5.7 billion in the previous year. However, shrimps alone contribute more than 70 per cent. The new open pond culture method will greatly spur the diversification of India’s aquaculture sector, he added.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.