Blue Revolution and role of fish farmers

— Apurba Kr Das,
Sanjay Sarma India has made remarkable progress in the development of its fishery sector in the past 60 years. In 1950-51, India’s fish production was 7.5 lakh tonne (5.34 lakh tonne marine and 2.16 lakh tonne inland). In 2006-07, the Indian fish production zoomed up to a level of around 6.61 million tonne (considering 3.21 million tonne of marine and 3.4 million tonne of inland fishes), which help the country to occupy the coveted 3rd position in overall fish production in the world. This works out to an increase of around 800 per cent in over 56 years or an average increase of 14 per cent per annum. India is also acclaimed as the second highest inland fish producing country in the world next to China with over 53 million tonne although the difference in production between the countries is enormous.The fishery sector occupies an important status in the national economy. It provides valuable foreign exchange and employment to millions of people. It is also instrumental in providing sources of livelihood for a large section of economically backward and resource poor population of the country. According to recent live stock census, there is around 14.48 million fisher population residing in the country. This sector contributes 1.04 per cent to the total GDP and 5.34 per cent to the GDP from agriculture and allied activities (2005-06).Known as ‘sunrise sector’ fishery has recorded faster growth as compared to the crop and livestock sector. The contribution of culture fisheries to the total fish production in terms of quality exceeds the contribution of fish from capture fisheries. This became possible only because of ushering Blue Revolution in different parts of the country.As a compared to the rest of the country, aquaculture development in our state is taking place at a slower pace although there is vast scope for development. Though aquaculture started making inroads only about 30 years ago, it is now contributing more than 40 per cent of the total fish seed production in the State. Assam has attained self-sufficiency in carp seed production and ranked second in seed production next to West Bengal. But availability of standard sized fingerling in right time is still a far cry for the farmers of the state. The production of fish seed achieved during 2006-2007 is 2026.61 million fry produced by more than 120 eco-hatcheries, 9 mini bundhs and more than 500 hapa breeders. The state produces about 1.91 lakh MT fish from all types of water resources against the nutritional demand (not market demand) of 2.90 lakh tonne for the year 2006-2007.The backbone of the blue revolution, i.e. the progress of inland fishery, particularly culture sector is attributed to the success of induced breeding technique. It was on July 10, 1957, Dr Hiralal Choudhory, the then scientist of Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute first achieved in induced breeding at Angul in Orissa with support from KH Alikunhi, the then officer in charge of the Centre. The spawn that was produced out of this experiment was successfully raised into fry and later into fingerlings. So the major carp culture sector, owes its present flourishing status to Dr Choudhory, who ushered the system of induced breeding of major carps through administration of carps pituitary extract into the body of brooder major carps and also later standerdised the system. Later, induced breeding technique for several species of commercially important fishes were developed and standerdised. Thus, July 10, 1957 is a red-letter day in the fishery sector of the country. To commemorate this historic event, July 10, has been celebrated as Fish Farmers’ Day throughout the country.Integrated fish farming is suggested by many fishery experts as an alternative to fish culture alone to revolutionise fish production in the State. Rice fish culture is seen as a possibility in many areas and the production obtained from such systems though small, contributes significantly to total volume. The prospect of aquaculture development in Assam lay in development the technique of seed production and successful rearing of air breathing species like magur, kawoi, singhi and commercially important fish such as chital, pava etc.The state is blessed by the presence of mild climate and abundance of ornamental fishes in nature and contributes the lion’s share of total ichthyospecies in the northeastern region of India. Presence of diverse natural water bodies is also an added advantage. However, there is vast unexplored potential for indigenous ornamental fishes in Assam. Scientific and systemic exploration of this potential will definitely ensure a significant place for our state in this sphere, besides employment generation and earning of foreign exchange.Aquaculture through organic farming is a new concept. Increased consumer awareness of food safety and environmental concerns have contributed to the growth in organic farming which is based on protecting the environment and its practices by minimising soil degradation and erosion, decreasing pollution and optimising biological diversity and productivity. It is the peak time to encourage and enhance the biological cycles with respect to nutrient management and to retain the integrity of the organic product from farmer to consumer and conversion requirements for moving conventional aquaculture system into organic systems.Therefore, in order to make fish production a sustainable venture for contributing towards the country’s further growth, a long term strategy needs to be adopted. This strategy should emphasise not only on technical feasibility and economic viability, but also an approach for environment-friendly and social acceptability. Thrust on biodiversity, habitat and resource conservation and important aspects to be taken care of. However, the positive aspect of aquaculture is that it can develop continuously with minimum environmental disturbance.(Published on the occasion of Fish Farmers’ Day). source: assam tribune