Indian J. Fish.

, 65(4): 157-165, 2018 157

DOI: 10.21077/ijf.2018.65.4.81300-20

Review

Present status of freshwater aquaculture in India - A review

P. JAYASANKAR
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi - 682 018, Kerala, India
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Aquaculture is a rapidly growing fisheries sector in India with an annual growth rate of over 7%. Freshwater aquaculture
contributes over 95% of the total annual aquaculture production of 5.77 million t. Technologies of induced carp breeding
and polyculture of the three Indian major carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala) as well as ‘composite
carp culture’ with the addition of three exotic carps (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus
carpio) in ponds and tanks brought about perceptible upward shift in freshwater aquaculture production. Of late, the sector
has been witnessing diversification with the inclusion of medium and minor carps, catfishes and murrels. Andhra Pradesh and
West Bengal are the top producers of freshwater fish through aquaculture. System diversification has resulted in optimum
productivity of 3-6 t ha-1 yr-1. Public and private carp hatcheries produce around 40 billion fry. Fish requirement by 2020 is
expected to touch 15 million t, of which around 9 million t would need to come from freshwater aquaculture. Input-related,
social and environmental constraints of aquaculture in India need to be tackled through horizontal and vertical expansion,
technology as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, for sustainable development.
Keywords: Blue revolution, Constraints, Diversified species, Freshwater aquaculture, Sustainable development, Technology

Introduction freshwater aquaculture contributing over 95% of the

total aquaculture production. India is bestowed with
At the World Food Summit organised by the Food
3.15 million ha of reservoirs, 2.36 million ha of ponds
and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome in 1996, the
and tanks as well as 0.19 million ha of rivers and
participating countries committed to reduce the number
canals. Freshwater aquaculture with a share of 34% in
of malnourished people in the world by half by the year
inland fisheries in mid 1980s has increased to about
2015 (Haylor, 2004). It is a well-known fact that fish is
rich in protein and essential amino acids. It is also a good 80% in recent years (DADF, 2017). The technologies of
source of calcium, vitamin A and B12 and omega-3 fatty induced carp breeding and polyculture in static ponds
acids. People irrespective of age who do not get sufficient and tanks have brought about remarkable upward trend
nutrients from cereal-based diets, would be benefited in aquaculture productivity and turned the sector into a
from the inclusion of fish in the diet. Aquaculture not fast growing industry. The research and development
only supplies dietary essentials for human consumption, programs of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
but provides excellent opportunities for employment and (ICAR), as well as the development support provided by
income generation, especially in the more economically the India Government through a network of Fish Farmers’
backward rural areas. Sixty million people are directly Development Agencies (FFDA) have been the principal
engaged, part time or full time, in primary production of vehicles for this development. Additional support has been
fish, either by fishing or in aquaculture, supporting the provided by several other organisations, state departments
livelihoods of 10-12% of world population (FAO, 2016). and financial institutions. So far, about 0.65 million ha of
Aquaculture currently accounts for over 50% of the global water area has been brought under fish farming covering
food fish consumption (Subasinghe et al., 2009). 1.1 million beneficiaries. Currently the average annual
yield is around 3 t ha-1. At the same time, training has been
Globally India stands second in culture fisheries
imparted to about 0.8 million fishers (DADF, 2017).
production. China, with world’s one fifth of population
produces one-third of total fish harvested and two thirds Despite the importance of freshwater aquaculture in
of fish cultivated (FAO, 2016). While in India, the culture Indian food sector, no extensive reviews have been made
system is based on 3-6 species combination, Chinese on the sector. However, preliminary review on recent
have 10 or more species in a single pond thus maximising advances in freshwater aquaculture (Jayasankar, 2014),
productivity. Indian aquaculture has demonstrated a documentation on freshwater aquaculture technologies
six and half fold growth over the last two decades, with for bringing about blue revolution (Jayasankar, 2017),
P. Jayasankar 158

promotion of PPPs (Public Private Partnerships) for steadily over the years and during 2015-16 the figure was
technology adoption (Jayasankar and Barik, 2015) and about 5.77 million t (Fig. 1). Bulk of the carp production in
vertical expansion strategy for increasing aquaculture the country is contributed by the three Indian major carps
production (Jayasankar and Das, 2015) are available. The (IMCs), namely catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita)
present paper forms a comprehensive attempt to review and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala). Exotic species, namely
the current status of freshwater aquaculture in India. silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus
Data source
carpio) form the second important group. National
The statistical information on aquaculture production freshwater fish productivity has registered marked
in India in global context was sourced from FAO (2016) rise from 0.6 t ha-1 yr-1 (1974) to 3 t ha-1 yr-1 at present.
while state-wise resource and production information Many farmers have demonstrated productivity levels
within the country was obtained from Department of as high as 8-12 t ha-1 yr-1 (Jayasankar, 2014). Further,
Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries (DADF, 2017). freshwater aquaculture production has begun to diversify,
incorporating medium and minor carps, catfishes and
Freshwater aquaculture production in the global
murrels. The only species from the freshwater sector that
context
goes to the export market has been the giant freshwater
Global fish production stands at 167 million t, of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), while carps and
which 44% (73.8 million t) is contributed by the other finfishes are grown for the domestic market.
aquaculture sector (FAO, 2016). Global capture fishery Recently, production of M. rosenbergii has plummeted,
is presently at crossroads with over 70% of the resources while that of white legged shrimp Penaeus vannamei
exploited and therefore aquaculture is the only option to enhanced considerably.
fill up the gap of much of the future demand for fish.
With a national per capita consumption of 11 kg,
Aquaculture is the fastest growing animal food-producing
fish is recognised as one of the chief components in the
sector, growing at a rate more than 7% annually. Many
domestic food security in India (Jayasankar and Barik,
studies have pointed towards a positive scenario for the
2015). Freshwater aquaculture is a homestead activity in
role of aquaculture in providing the much-needed animal
several parts of the country. Besides contributing to the
protein to the world population (Tidwell and Allan,
nutritional security, it also helps in bringing additional
2001; Sugiyama et al., 2004). Importance of freshwater
income to the poor rural households. Aquaculture brings
aquaculture in the global aquaculture production is evident
about socio-economic development in terms of income
as it accounted for 63.8% of global total of 47,102,391 t
and employment through the use of unutilised and
(FAO, 2016).
underutilised resources in many parts of the country.
Freshwater aquaculture production trends in India
Polyculture with low to moderate inputs, particularly
Aquaculture production in India has been increasing organic fertilisers and feed is practiced in village water
bodies (VWBs). Entrepreneurial acumen supported by
Inland fish production (x 1000 t) innovative management brought about change in the
1600 Freshwater fish production (x 1000 t) multi-use and multi-ownership of VWBs across India. This
1400 notwithstanding, perceptible shift in fisheries intensity
1200 is being felt in certain states in the country. Poaching,
1000
shortage of water and finance are the major problems
800
600 faced by fish farmers. Sustainable growth of aquaculture
400 in VWB is entailed to meet the rising demand for fish.
200
0 Formulation and implementation of policies on
resource utilisation and leasing are state subjects. They
Pradesh
Assam

Chhattis ar
garh
Goa

are done with a good intention of uplifting the poor and

Gujarat
Bih

a
esh
Haryan

ir
a
nd
Kashm
Karnatk

Madhy Kerala

strengthening co-operative system of local communities.

sh
al Prad

Odisha
Andhra

Jharkha

Punjab

Tamil N n
a Prade

adu
a

Uttar P and

FFDA programme of the central government supported

radesh
Rajasth

engal
Jammu

h
Himach

initially with World Bank aid did most of the initial

Uttarak

West B

funding for initiating aquaculture in inland water bodies.

Technical, financial and extension support is provided to
fish farmers for taking up culture-based fishery in village
Fig. 1. State-wise inland and freshwater fish production in India ponds and tanks (Katiha et al., 2005).
Present status of freshwater aquaculture in India 159

Major players in freshwater aquaculture in India Indian major carps (t)

Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh 900000

800000
are among the top producers of freshwater fish through
700000 Cinese carps (t)
aquaculture. Andhra Pradesh producing around 15 lakh t 600000

Production (t)
of fish of which 92% is supplied to other states and West 500000 Others (t) Others (t)
Bengal with a current production of around 13 lakh t of 400000
300000 Major carps (t) Murrels (t)
fish and still sourcing fish mainly from Andhra Pradesh
are the two top producers of freshwater fish in the country 200000
100000
(Jayasankar, 2014). Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Assam and 0
Jharkhand are also enhancing their stakes in freshwater

esh
Assam
Chhatt ihar
aquaculture production. Bihar and Chhattisgarh together

isgarh
Gujara a
t
a Prad

Go
Himac Haryana
Kashmsh
Karna ir
B

Jharkh tka
produce around 3 lakh t; while the former state has

and
de

Madhy Kerala
Mahar esh
ashtra
hal Pra

Odisha
Raja jab
negligible dependence on fish from other states with

Andhr

Tamil sthan
Uttar Nadu
a Prad

Utter Pakhand
Wes adesh
Pun

Others t Bengal
about 20% marketed to outside states; the latter gets about

Jammu

r
25% from Andhra Pradesh for internal market. Assam
produces around 2 lakh t, though still sources around 30%
of their fish requirement from other states considering
high domestic demand. Jharkhand produces about Fig. 2. State-wise production figures of major fish species from
1 lakh t freshwater fish, but still procures 20% of its need freshwater aquaculture in India
for internal market from outside states. Jharkhand is all
poised to boost its freshwater fish production significantly production rates of 3-6 t ha-1yr-1 are standardised. Intensive
through cage culture of pangas in reservoirs (Jayasankar, culture systems like cage culture and running-water fish
2014). culture have given productions of 10-15 and 20-50 kg
m-² yr-1 respectively (Tripathi et al., 2000; Katiha et al.,
Inland fish farming and associated considerations
2005).
Aquaculture resources
Carp culture is practiced as polyculture of the three
India is blessed with rich natural sources for IMCs (catla, rohu and mrigal) as well as composite
enhancing freshwater aquaculture production: 2.42 carp culture of the three IMCs with the three exotic
million ha of ponds and tanks; 1.07 million ha of beels, carps (silver carp, grass carp and common carp).
jheels and derelict waters; 0.12 million km of canals; 3.15 Standard practices in carp culture include: (i) Stocking
million ha of reservoirs and 0.72 million ha of upland at combined densities of 4,000-10,000 fingerlings ha-1;
lakes. Only around 35% of ponds and tanks are being used (ii) Pond fertilisation with organic manures from cattle or
currently for aquaculture. Small and marginal farmers, poultry as well as inorganic fertilisers like urea and single
especially in eastern India have ponds of less than 1 ha and super phosphate and (iii) Supplementary feeding using a
are typically homestead ones. State-owned or community- mixture of rice bran/wheat bran and groundnut/mustard
managed ponds are generally leased out for periods of oilcake in equal ratio. The three IMCs, namely catla
3-5 years (Katiha et al., 2005). Fig. 2 depicts state-wise (C. catla), rohu (L. rohita) and mrigal (C. mrigala)
production figures of various species in India. contribute the bulk of production to the extent of 70 to 75%
Carps of the total freshwater fish production, followed by exotic
carps comprising silver carp, grass carp and common carp
Site-specific input availability and monitory capacity forming the second important group contributing to the
of farmer to invest, influences the type of culture systems balance 25 to 30% (FAO, 2017).
adopted in various regions. In extensive aquaculture
system, inputs are limited but for the seed stocked. It Despite the fact that the country also possesses
harnesses natural productivity. On the other hand in several other cultivable medium and minor carp
semi-intensive system, fertilisation and feeding are species which show high regional demand, including
adopted to enhance productivity. Information is available L. calbasu, L. fimbriatus, L. gonius, L. bata, L. ariza,
on composite carp culture; sewage-fed fish culture; Puntius sarana, Hypselobarbus pulchellus, H. kolus
weed-based carp polyculture; biogas slurry-fed fish and Amblypharyngodon mola as well as several others,
culture; integrated fish farming with poultry, pigs, ducks commercial farming of these species has been almost
and horticulture, as well as pen culture (Sinha et al., non-existent or picking-up slowly. These medium
1973; CIFA, 2004; ICAR, 2005). The optimum achievable sized carps have initial higher growth rate and market
P. Jayasankar 160

acceptability at 300-400 g which makes them ideal species (Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus) are
for intercropping in the major carp farming system. other important finfishes which have great potential
These species can be considered as more suitable for the for commercial aquaculture in India (Khan, 1969).
utilisation of seasonal ponds, which have 5-6 months of A. testudineus has good market demand in states like
water retention. Over the years, incorporation levels of the West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Jharkhand, Bihar,
various species of minor carps and barbs in the IMC based Odisha and Kerala. Climbing perch is a potential species
grow-out polyculture system have been standardised. for culture with high economic value and consumer
Catfishes preference. It also has high medicinal and nutritive
value. Like pabda, major constraints for culture are non-
Pond culture of catfish involves mainly magur availability of seed, high mortality in larval rearing phase
(Clarias magur) and singhi (Heteropneustes fossilis) as well as lack of larval and grow-out feed (Kumar et al.,
and is practiced in states like Assam, Bihar, West Bengal 2012). Experiments at ICAR-CIFA showed production
and Odisha (Thakur and Das, 1986; CIFA, 2004; ICAR, up to 1.2 t ha-1 yr-1, with fish attaining marketable size of
2005). Though modern farming techniques for these 50-60 g in one year. Murrels fetch a high price in many
species advocates monoculture at stocking densities of states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,
20,000-50,000 fingerlings ha-1, inadequate availability Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
of juveniles has restricted these as a component in carp and all North-Eastern States. They are highly preferred
polyculture systems. Considering the high market demand because of the flavour, meaty flesh and less intra-
for catfish and the availability of a huge potential resource muscular bones (Kumar et al., 2013). The fishe are fed
in the form of swamps and derelict waters, commercial
with boiled and minced poultry offal in combination
farming of these species is being given important attention
with rice polish at 5% of body weight initially which
at present. Magur (Clarias magur) attains a marketable
is reduced subsequently to 2% depending upon their
size of 100-120 g in a period of 7-8 months of culture.
growth. ICAR-CIFA has succeeded in standardising
Average production of 3-4 t ha-1 magur can be achieved
seed production of two species of murrels viz.,
in 8 months culture period. Polyculture of non-air
C. striatus and C. maruleus and an average production of
breathing catfishes like Pangasius pangasius, Wallago
2 t ha-1 yr-1 is achievable.
attu, Sperata seenghala, S. aor and Ompok pabda is being
attempted in recent years (Kumar, 2016). During 2008- Freshwater prawn
2010 phenomenal growth was shown in the culture of
Successful breeding and larval rearing of the giant
exotic catfish pangas, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus.
river prawn M. rosenbergii and the monsoon river prawn
In Andhra Pradesh around 10% of the area in Krishna-
Godavari delta has been occupied by this single species. M. malcolmsonii provide scope for the farmers to diversify
Major sources of seed are from Bangladesh through their culture (CIFA, 2004; ICAR, 2005). M. rosenbergii
our porous border and from West Bengal. Many other is the largest and fastest growing species being farmed
states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar have and possesses considerable demand both in domestic
shown enthusiasm to culture of pangas. Production and international markets. M. rosenbergii is cultured
levels of the species ranges from around 15 to 50 t ha-1 either alone or in combination with carps. Monoculture
yr-1 (Jayasankar and Giri, 2013). Culture of butter catfish of giant river prawn is mostly confined to earthen ponds
O. pabda has been successfully practiced in West Bengal with moderate stocking densities of 20,000-50,000 ha-1.
and Tripura. Availability of seed is a huge constraint, Fertilisation and supplementary feeding can result in
followed by high mortality in larval rearing phase, a moderate yield of 600-1,500 kg ha -1 in 8 months
lack of larval and grow-out feed (Chakrabarthi et al., using single stocking and both single/multiple
2009). Aquatic insects and their larvae are the favourite harvesting. Polyculture of freshwater prawn juveniles at
natural feed; supplementary fish meal-based feed needs 10,000-15,000 ha-1 alongside carp at 3,000-4,000 ha-1 has
30% protein. For the first time, with the intervention of also been demonstrated to be economically viable (Tripathi
Regional Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of et al., 2000). Since 2006, production M. rosenbergii has
Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Kalyani, one of the been declining drastically due to various reasons including
progressive fish farmers of West Bengal produced more the rise of vannamei farming, reduction in productivity
than 1.5 lakhs of O. pabda fingerlings on a commercial as a result of poor quality seed, poor quality broodstock,
basis. increased cost of production, increased operational cost
and reduced profit margin. In this regard, development
Other finfishes
of quality broodstock and ensuring availability of better
Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus), murrels quality seed is of utmost importance. Considering all these,
(Channa striatus and C. marulius) and tilapia ICAR-CIFA in collaboration with World Fish, Malaysia
Present status of freshwater aquaculture in India 161

started a genetic improvement program of M. rosenbergii is endowed with large areas of unutilised water bodies like
through selective breeding in 2007. Selective breeding for derelict canals and drains. Similarly, Brahmaputra basin
growth has yielded 4% genetic gain per generation and of Assam has enormous beels lying idle. There are about
on­farm field testing of 3rd and 4th generations of improved 1.3 million ha of beels and other derelict water bodies in
M. rosenbergii was conducted at different places in the country. Bringing these water bodies into the ambit
Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura (Pillai et al., of fisheries will boost fish production tremendously and
2011). hence expansion of fisheries in these water bodies is one
of the focus areas of the government for increasing fish
Fish seed production
production (DADF, 2017).
Traditionally carp seeds were collected from the
Vertical expansion - species and system diversification
natural water bodies when product quality was low and
transportation cost from collection grounds to the farm site With a view to increasing productivity, breeding and
was high. The collection season has been short and the culture technologies of diversified groups of freshwater
quantity of the annual collection fluctuated considerably species have been standardised, which include IMCs,
with the variation of environmental conditions. minor carps, barbs, catfish, pabda, freshwater prawn
Deterioration of river environments has resulted in quick (genetically improved), climbing perch and murrel. Some
decline in both quantity and quality of collection. of the effective strategies to enhance productivity include
intercropping minor carps and barbs in conventional major
Revolution of sorts was created by the induced
carp culture, monoculture of catfish and prawns or their
breeding technique (hypophysation) from latter parts of
polyculture with major carps and mono sex tilapia culture.
the fifties. Indian scientists have successfully achieved
System diversifications such as: fish seed rearing based
artificial breeding of Asiatic carps (including IMCs
on cluster farming; utilisation of shallow/rain fed ponds
and Chinese carps) by applying this technique and it
for producing stunted fingerlings; adoption of multiple
significantly contributed to the methodology of fish seed
stocking and multiple harvesting; implementation of
production under controlled conditions and as per the
waste water aquaculture system in those places where
choice of the farmer. Carp hatcheries in both the public
nutrient-rich wastes such as sewage, brewery waste and
and private sectors have contributed towards the increase
dairy wastes are available; adoption of rice-cum-fish
in seed production from 6,321 million fry in 1985-1986
culture system; adoption of integrated farming systems
to around 40,000 million fry, produced by around 2000
especially in homestead ponds and installation of cage/
hatcheries (Jayasankar and Das, 2015).
pen for culture of fish in open water systems, can bring
Resource renovation and horizontal expansion about increased fish production and productivity.
It is relevant to ponder as to why the potential of Sewage-fed fish culture and paddy-cum-fish culture
4-5 t ha-1 yr-1 productivity in ponds is not realised and are two important culture systems practiced traditionally
national average is hovering around 3.0 t ha1 yr1? The in some parts of the country. Sewage-fed fish culture in
reasons could be many, such as erratic monsoon resulting bheries in West Bengal is an age-old practice. About 5,700
in poor rains or flood like situation, both of which are ha are currently utilised for fish culture using primary-
undesirable; improper maintenance of ponds resulting treated sewage as input and produces over 7,000 t yr-1,
in poor holding capacity and thus poor production. largely consisting of the major and minor carps. Multiple
Renovation of such ponds is to be done by desilting. stocking and multiple harvesting are practiced, with
Increased water use efficiency is critical, which is only harvest weight of fish usually in the range of 300-500 g.
about 50% currently. In situ water harvesting, construction Stocking densities of 10,000-20,000 ha-1 are common,
of water harvesting structures and inter-basin transfer of though densities as high as 50,000 ha-1 have also been
water are measures to improve water use efficiency. Water reported from many farms (Jayasankar, 2014).
conservation and increased fish production go hand in
Generally in paddy fields in lowland areas with
hand.
medium to semi-deep water, rice-cum-fish culture is
Horizontal expansion has become an important option undertaken. Fairly strong dykes are provided to prevent
to boost fish production, since out of 2.414 million ha of the escape of cultivated fish during floods. Fish get shelter
ponds and tanks, only about 50% is presently exploited in trenches and pond refuges in the paddy fields. Though
(Jayasankar and Das, 2015). Further, derelict water bodies the traditional rice-cum-fish system relies on natural
could be immensely useful and could be an important stocking, modern farming techniques involving major
resource to boost fish production for meeting the future and minor carps stocked at densities of 5,000-10,000 ha-1
fish demands of the country. Coastal Odisha for instance, alongside freshwater prawn are also practiced in different
P. Jayasankar 162

places. In a well-managed rice-cum-fish farming system, which can further reduce the cost. Establishment of low
production levels of 3.5 t of rice and 0.5-1.0 t of fish per ha cost feed mill in regions where freshwater aquaculture is
can be achieved within a year (Jayasankar and Das, 2015). prospering is entailed. Current production-demand ratio
of feed concentrate is 44:143, indicating deficiency of
Cage/pen culture in open waters offers vast potential
69% (Jayasankar, 2014).
for inland aquaculture in the country. The production
potential from sustainable cage culture for table fish Disease diagnostics, surveillance and management
production is about 50 kg m-3 with enormous possibility Intensification of farming activities always has
for further expansion and intensification. Reservoirs, a “side effect” of disease incidences and outbreak. As
which are largely untapped in India, have great potential yet we have little information on real-time crop loss
for development of fisheries. By promoting technologies due to diseases. In one such cases, an estimated loss of
like cage culture, the productivity of the reservoirs can be `29500 ha-1 yr-1 has been reported in argulus-inflicted
enhanced manifold. Due to large initial investment, this carp (Sahoo, P. K., per. comm.). ICAR-funded National
technology has so far not been successfully implemented Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases
in India (DADF, 2017). is a step in right direction, which is expected to identify,
As per an estimate, the total fish seed required for document and analyse prevailing and emerging diseases in
optimal stocking in the existing ponds, new ponds and aquaculture sector. Cutting edge research on immunology,
reservoirs is about 60,000 million fry. As against this, the microbiology, molecular biology and nanotechnology
seed production in 2015-16 was about 40,540 million fry. needs to be strengthened for addressing the fish health
Thus there is a gap of about 19,460 million fry (DADF, management issues. Quarantine protocols, diagnostics,
2017). Setting up of brood banks and hatcheries across immunoprophylaxsis, probiotics, bioremediation and
the country should be prioritised. Emphasis should be chemotherapeutics are available (Jayasankar, 2014).
laid on quality seed with improved economic traits. Poor Technology interventions for aquaculture development
productivity can be linked to poor genetic conditions of
broodstock maintained in several hatcheries. Scientific Technologies on breed improvement, hatchery,
way of broodstock quality improvement includes seed quality verification, broodstock diet, fish health
selective breeding, genome manipulation, marker-assisted management, species diversification and post-harvest
selection, transgenesis and genome selection (Sinha and value addition are available (Jayasankar, 2014; 2017)
Jayasankar, 2014). Time, cost and pond facilities affect which can augment freshwater aquaculture development
stocking of ponds with fingerlings. One common cause in the country. Improved variety of rohu, “Jayanti”
of crop failure can be traced to stocking with fry in grow- is a step forward to improve farm productivity. After
out ponds. Significant enhancement in carp production has eight generations of selection, 18% higher growth
been achieved in Andhra Pradesh by stocking with stunted realisation per generation was achieved. The field
fingerlings (yearlings and “zero point”) at the rate of testing of “Jayanti” rohu has been carried out in Odisha,
5000 nos. ha-1 (Jayasankar and Das, 2015). West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Punjab
with encouraging results. In India, 16 states have
Feed technology and feed management already received “Jayanti” rohu from the nucleus i.e.,
Among the different facets of aquaculture, feed ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, as well as from different
stands out as the most expensive component, costing multiplier units, earning high acceptance level from the
about 60-70% of the total expenditure. Small and marginal fish farmers and hatchery owners, especially because it has
farmers with traditional mind-set and limited resources proved to be feed neutral and effective under all culture
have not yet embraced supplemental feeding technique. practices. Impact assessment study further confirmed the
However, it is a welcome piece of information that in superiority of “Jayanti” strain of rohu over the normal
recent times every farmer in West Bengal is adopting rohu (Das Mahapatra et al., 2016).
supplemental feeding of cultured fish. Conventional Another notable achievement is a PCR based
feeding results in feed conversion ratio (FCR) as high identification kit which can identify Labeo rohita (rohu),
as 3-5. The scenario becomes even more challenging Catla catla (catla) and their hybrid in the early life stages
considering stiff competition for feed concentrate from using a house keeping nuclear gene. This technology
the poultry and dairy sectors. In Andhra Pradesh, pellet would really be of great use for those producers and buyers
feed with balanced nutrition are given to pangas. Feed cost for screening of quality seeds and moreover it would be a
can be substantially reduced by resorting to farm made stepping stone for seed certification programmes for both
feeds made from locally available cheap plant materials. government and private hatcheries. In a survey conducted
Complete replacement of fish meal is possible for carps, by the present author and team in West Bengal, Bihar,
Present status of freshwater aquaculture in India 163

Odisha and Gujarat, it has been found that on an average  Use modern technology for increasing production
22.8% of the total hatchery produced seeds are hybrids and productivity
(Mohanty et al., 2016).
 Policy support for encouraging credit and insurance
Major constraints for development of aquaculture agencies in extending adequate lending and insurance
Availability of good quality seed, land leasing coverage to the sector
tenure, social issues like poaching, water availability,  Policy directions for GIS-based mapping of land
feed availability, access to technology at grass root level, and freshwater resources and establishment of nodal
climate change and credit facility are the prominent database centres
constraints of freshwater aquaculture development in
 Bring in professional management of the sector
India.
appointing technical heads in state departments and
Vignesh et al. (2017) have identified inadequate capacity building of their officers
availability of quality seeds as the top one among 14
constraints affecting freshwater aquaculture in Thanjavur  Encourage research and development in innovative
District of Tamil Nadu, others being short supply of water, technology generation using indigenous knowledge
high cost of supplementary feed, high cost of electricity, according to the needs of the farmers.
non-availability of skilled labour, prevalence of disease Conclusion
outbreak in culture ponds, poaching, high mortality during
culture period, low farm gate price, problem of direct Responsible aquaculture and prevention and
selling to buyers, low productivity, poor quality of carp management of aquatic diseases, organic farming and
seeds and low net returns. Experience shows that similar induced breeding are some of the other challenges to
constraints exist in other states also, where freshwater be addressed in this sector for improving productivity.
aquaculture is practiced. Achieving growth rate of about 8% annually on a
sustainable basis over a period of five years would be
De Silva and Soto (2009) have commented that possible only if production is targeted at 15 million t by
climate change will impact on water availability, weather end of 2019-20 (as against production of 10.79 million t
patterns and extreme rain events. The anticipated at the end of 2015-16), of which at least 11 million t
positive impact of rise in temperature might not always would need to come from the inland sector and freshwater
be existent since events like increased eutrophication aquaculture is expected to provide over 9 million t. It is
could negatively impact aquaculture in India. Sustaining apparent that strategies for increasing fish production
partnerships between public funded national agriculture from freshwater aquaculture should be directed towards
research institutes and the private sector are key drivers of horizontal and vertical growth of the sector. Under culture
technological progress. Having stated that, lack of access expansion, renovation and management of resources
to credit/finance is still a stumbling block for progress in have to be done in such a manner that the average fish
aquaculture sector. Roy (2015) opined that public-private productivity from ponds and tanks would increase to
investments in researching and developing genetically 4-10 t ha-1yr-1 from the current level of about 3.0 t ha-
improved fish strains have the potential to provide yr . Expansion, intensification and diversification of
1 -1

attractive economic returns to the private sector and to culture systems have been envisaged in the National
meet the public need for improved seed quality. Aquaculture Development Plan (Gopakumar et al., 1999).
Some of the important policy elements for managing Aquaculture sector in India has to come up with timely
constraints in freshwater aquaculture include (Salim et al., strategies to cope with the future challenges of increased
2014): fish demand, selective consumers’ choices, production
of safe and quality fish protein and tapping the export
 Policy support to release large tract of unutilised earning among the many challenges. It is even more
unproductive non-remunerative agricultural lands for challenging that all these have to be done in the face
the development of aquaculture of increased land and water scarcity, climate change,
 Supply of good quality feeds with low FCR through competition from other agriculture sector, labour shortage,
indigenous feed technology shortage of raw materials besides satisfying the Code
of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture (CCRA) and
 Establishment of broodbank and certified hatcheries
Hazard Analysis at Critical Control Points (HACCP)
in order to ensure supply of good quality seed
in farming. If the country has to achieve its premium
 Encourage growing diversified indigenous species goal of Blue Revolution to ensure quality fish protein,
and using diversified culture systems the researchers and development machineries in the
P. Jayasankar 164

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Date of receipt : 10.07.2018

Date of acceptance : 15.12.2018