Abstract:

The feasibility of integrated aquaculture in seasonal water bodies in rainfed farming areas of Eastern India was assessed in on-farm trials. Fry of Indian major carps (IMC: Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo rohita), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and silver barb (Puntius gonionotus), and advanced fingerlings of IMC were raised to marketable size. Mean survival of fish varied, with silver barb showing a significantly higher survival rate (P<0.05) than IMC and common carp grown from fry. Silver barb grew to significantly smaller sizes (P<0.05) than common carps and IMC grown from advanced fingerlings. Capital costs ranged from Rs2400 to 10,500 ($56 to 244), and variable costs from Rs2850 to 8950 ($66 to 208) per cycle. The species of fish and their size at stocking were important for ensuring success; common carp and silver barb can grow fast enough to reach market size in a seasonal pond, whereas IMCs should be stocked at 14 to 16 cm length if expected to grow to market size during the wet season. The key factors for the success of aquaculture in seasonal water bodies were access to credit, production enhancing inputs and water bodies that hold water for more than 120 days in a year. The availability of low cost labor and the current livelihood strategy of the farmers were also important.

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Date 2003/01/01

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