Fish is one of the preferred food items in the food table of almost 60% of Indians. market demand is always high for fish products and so as the demands of fish also. If we consider the total requirement of fish globally then the requirement becomes very high. The main source is from the sea but due to the global fishing season from the sea is declining quickly. And the only way left is through the fish farms to meet the increased demand for fish. then fish farms play an important role. Domestic fish farms here performs a significant role here.
India is honored with a large number of rivers, lakes and many natural water resources. So there are great possibilities for settling up a new source of income by commercial fish farming in India.
Aquaculture is an important sector in food production, providing nutritional security to the food case, contributing to farming exports and it also includes around 14-15 million into these activities. With huge diversification in the resources varying from deep seas to lakes in the mountains and more than 10 % of the global biodiversity in terms of fish and shellfish species, the country has shown its consecutive and sustained increments in the fish production.
Export potential
Fish and fish products have presently come up as the largest group in the agriculture export of India. With 10 lakhs tonnes of quantity and above 33 crores in value.
How to Start Fish Farming in India?
Starting fish farming in India is not so easy. For settling up a complete fish farming business you need to go through some procedures. I have shortly described few steps for fish farming in India.
Pond Preparing
The most important and must step before settling down the fish farming business is a pond. We can’t do fish farming without a pond. You can use your existing pond or if you don’t have then you can construct a new one for fish farming. In case fish farming in the seasonal pond where water can’t be stored for a whole year, then, in that case, we have to raise fish which are fast-growing and quick maturing fish breed. You need to prepare the pond properly by checking the PH value of pond and soil perfectly. High-quality pond environment ensures high production and profit.
Selecting Fish Species
Selecting a proper fish breed is another important step for fish farming in India. Always try to raise the fish which are suitable for your constructed or inland pond. While selecting a fish breed to consider some factors like market demand of fish, its maintaining facilities, availability of sufficient amount of water etc.
For proper utilization of pond and water resources, you can raise numerous types of fish breeds together.
Feeding
The good and high quality of fish feed can maximize the overall production of fishes. Most of the farmers for fish feeds depend on the natural feeds of a pond. But if you are doing commercial fishing you have to provide the high quality and nutritious food. You can also contact various types of integrated fish farming. Popular fish farming systems are fish poultry, fish dairy etc.
Care & Management
Along with the environment and providing high-quality feed you also have to take good care of fish. Especially the growing and nurturing fish requires more care and management. Always take care of the PH level of water. Take necessary steps actions against various types of fish disease. Better to prevent than cure.
Here looking after all the factors I’d say fish farming would be rather decently profitable in India. India is the world’s 5th largest fish and seafood provider in India. India has a very high comparative advantage in catching fish which explains that India is capable to export an impressive worth fish each year.
