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Live Fish Transportation and Domestic Marketing in Krishna District of

Andhra Pradesh

Article · July 2023

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 ARTICLE

Live Fish Transportation and

Domestic Marketing in Krishna
District of Andhra Pradesh
Ajit Chaudhari1, Ramesh Rathod1, Avinash Rasal2, Siddaiah G. M.2 and Bandla Seshagiri1
1
Regional Research Centre, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Vijayawada - 521 137.
2
ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar - 751 002.
Corresponding E-mail id: [email protected]

Fig 1. Fish aquaculture production

has registered a tremendous growth
in India during the last few decades

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 12

Introduction Currently, with abundant fish production happening
across the country, and the consumers being
India is the second largest producer of fish in the world, increasingly aware of the quality of fish, several fish
with the fisheries sector registering a higher growth rate farmers and traders are opting to supply fish to the
than other sectors of agriculture and also contributing domestic markets in live condition. Traditional fish
to the country’s economy and livelihood. As a result consumers are also gradually moving away from
of the Neel Kranti Yojana (December 2014) and the preferring ice chilled fish to live fish. A fish farmer is
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (September also able to realize a higher price through a steady
2020) launched by the Government of India, the supply of fresh fish to customers in live conditions,
country’s total fish production has increased from 41.57 especially in markets in close proximity to the farms.
lakh tonnes in 1991-92 (24.47 lakh tonnes from the Fish being a highly perishable commodity, it is essential
marine sector and 17.10 lakh tonnes from the inland that a proper food supply chain is established to meet
sector) to 162.48 lakh tonnes (41.27 lakh tonnes from this new consumer demand for live fish. This article
marine sector and 121.21 lakh tonnes from inland highlights the progress made by the sector in live fish
sector) during 2021-22. transportation system and its marketing in the Krishna
district of Andhra Pradesh.

Status of Freshwater Aquaculture in

Andhra Pradesh State
Andhra Pradesh has been contributing around 25%
to the fish production in India in recent years through
an effective management strategy in both coastal
and freshwater aquaculture and also by its efficient
marketing strategies. The state also ranks first in
coastal and freshwater aquaculture production in
India and produced 42.19 lakh tonnes of freshwater
fish during the year 2021-22. Fish productivity of the
state, recorded at 7.5 - 12.5 MT/ha/year, is higher
than any other state in the country. The per capita fish
consumption of the state was 8.91 kg during 2020-21,
which occupied the 13th position in the country. The
excess fish production in the state, packed well in ice, is
exported to other states of the country through trucks

Fig 2. Fish farms spread across Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 13

and rail to fulfill their fish demands. Therefore, the role the state is comprised of Indian Major Carps; however,
of Andhra Pradesh in fish production has always been Pangas, Pacu, and brackish water shrimp are also
important for the country. produced in this freshwater area. West Godavari, East
Godavari, Krishna, and Nellore are the major fish-
Presently, the extent of freshwater fish farming in the producing districts in the state.
state is about one lakh Ha. The size of the fish ponds
in the state ranges from 1 to 40 ha, with a water depth Aquaculture in Krishna District
of 1.5 - 2.0 m. The bulk of freshwater fish production in
Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, having its
headquarters at Machilipatnam, is named after the
river Krishna that flows through the area and emptying
into the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi. The district
is spread over an area of 3,773 sq km and has always
contributed a major share to the fish production in
the state. Presently, the total area under freshwater
aquaculture is estimated at 51425.1 hectares. Farming

Weighing of fishes

Harvested fishes

Fig 3. Major activities during fish harvesting

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 14

of two species viz. rohu and catla is popular in the (particularly A, B, and D), phosphorus, and minerals
district, where rohu and catla are stocked at ratios of 80 such as iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, magnesium,
- 90 : 10 - 20 respectively, with the occasional addition potassium, and selenium, and are a primary dietary
of other carps. During the last decade, farmers have source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Thus,
also been stocking striped catfish and Pacu along with aquatic food is now considered a healthy food, and
the carps. The carps (100 - 200 grams) are generally due to this, consumer demand has been increasing
stocked at densities of 3,000 - 10,000 numbers per positively. In order to meet the needs of the consumer,
acre depending on the carrying capacity of the ponds. fish needs to reach the markets in the freshest possible
The “bag feeding” method is adopted to provide condition. In recent times, consumers prefer to purchase
supplementary feed to fish, in which 20 - 25 bags each fish in live condition in both domestic as well as
filled with 15 - 20 kg de-oiled rice bran, are kept in the global markets. Fish are often transported live by road
pond per hectare. The ponds are fertilized with chicken between farms for further growing or to the markets for
manure or animal dung along with chemical fertilizers sale, which is a common practice in aquaculture. There
to promote primary productivity and natural food in the are mainly two systems used for transporting live fish in
pond. water. The first one is the open system where water-
filled open containers or carriers are equipped with an
Fish harvesting operation outside oxygen source (e.g., an oxygen cylinder), and
the second is the closed system where sealed plastic
In Andhra Pradesh, fish is generally sent to the
bags filled with oxygen prior to transport. An open
domestic markets on four days of the week, i.e.,
transportation system is widely adopted for live fish
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and during local
marketing.
festivals. Keeping in view the importance of these days,
fish of marketable size (1 - 4 kg) are caught from the In the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh live fish are
ponds on the first day of marketing. For harvesting the transported from farm to domestic market by an open
fish from ponds, a group of skilled workers are hired @ system. Presently, various sizes of vehicles like trucks,
Rs. 500 - 600/- or more per person/day for this work. tempos, pickups etc. are available for the transportation
The harvesting operation (Fig 3.) is generally initiated of live fish depending on the place of sale. The vehicles
during morning hours by dragnet in the pond and used for transporting are categorized into three:
this work is almost completed by 1 - 2 pm. After the
harvesting operation, the fish are weighed and loaded 1. Big-sized vehicles: Generally, these vehicles (Truck,
into a tank filled with water in the vehicle. Here, the Tempos, etc.) are loaded with ten black-colored Sintex
fish farmers receive a farm gate price of Rs.110 - 130/- tanks of 1000 liters/tank capacity and all these tanks
per kg for their produce. are also facilitated with aeration connection as shown
in Fig 4a.
Transportation of live fish
2. Medium-sized vehicles: These vehicles are loaded
Aquatic foods are gradually recognized for their key with 2-3 white colored square shaped plastic tanks with
role in food security and nutrition. It provides high- a capacity of 1000 liters each and these tanks are also
quality proteins and essential amino acids, vitamins facilitated with aeration connection (Fig 4b.).

a. Big-sized vehicle b. Medium-sized vehicle

Fig 4. Big and medium sized fish transportation vehicles

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 17

 Fig 5. Small sized fish transportation vehicles

3. Small size vehicles: In these vehicles live fish are facility is provided in the tank for better availability of
transported in two ways. Some vehicles are loaded sufficient oxygen to fish till marketing on the next day.
with a plastic or sintex tank of 1000 liters capacity and
in other vehicles, 500 - 600 liters of water is filled by Marketing of live fish
keeping tarpaulin or plastic cloth in it and covered by
In Krishna district, the fish in live condition are
nets. Both systems are also facilitated with an aeration
generally sold to customers on Wednesdays, Fridays,
connection through an oxygen cylinder (Fig 5.).
Saturdays, and Sundays. The selling of fish starts from
Good quality water (500 - 600 liters/tank) is filled early morning and continues up to afternoon hours.
in these tanks. The number of live fish kept in a tank
is usually around 150 - 200 kg (depending on the
transportation distance). Oxygen cylinders (B-grade
oxygen, 7 kg capacity) are used in these vehicles to
ensure the proper amount of oxygen to fish is provided
during transportation. A vehicle carrying two or more
tanks is provided with one oxygen cylinder for two
tanks and a vehicle that carrying one tank is attached
with a single cylinder. Aeration helps to reduce the
oxygen stress till live fish reaches the destination. Live
fish transportation from the fish farm to sales centers
are generally carried out during the evening hours one
day before marketing. Fig 6a. Dressing of fish

Fish Conditioning
The fish transported are kept overnight in a cement
tank which is already filled with clean water at the
marketing center for conditioning. The principle behind
fish conditioning is to minimize fish mortality by
allowing the fish to recover from the harvesting and
transportation stress before being marketed. Depending
upon the space available at the marketing center the
rectangular shape of the cement tank is generally
used for fish conditioning cum storage. The aeration Fig 6b. Road side fish vending

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 18

Here, customers are allowed to the fish of their choice However, it is necessary to create a proper food
and purchase it on a weight basis. After selection, supply chain which can help in addressing the post-
vendors do proper dressing, cleaning, and cutting harvest losses, increase income, generate employment
into the desired size of pieces as per the customer’s opportunities, while providing consumers with good
requirements. Presently, Rohu and Catla are selling in quality and hygienic food in their plate. The well-
the range of Rs.180 - 200/- and Rs. 200 - 220/- per organized fish-selling chain from the pond to the
kg respectively in the live fish selling centers of Krishna marketing center in the Krishna district helps the
district. However, the fish sellers who don’t have customers to get fresh fish. However, such a system is
permanent selling shops are also selling the live fish not very common in most other parts of the country.
on the roadside by keeping water in a tarpaulin sheet By setting up their own fish production and marketing
provided with an aeration facility through an oxygen company, fish farmer groups can directly supply fish
cylinder (Figure 6). If the fish farmer is able to sell the to the fish vendors without middlemen. The Matsya
live fish of his farm by himself, through retail outlets, Sampada Yojana launched by the Department of
his profit margin can be increased by 40 - 50% and this Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry,
will also lead to employment generation. Dairying, Government of India has provisions to support
such ventures through their schemes, which the fish
Summary farmers can easily avail.
Domestic markets play a very crucial role in the References are available upon request from
development of the fisheries sector in the country. corresponding author

VOL 6 ISSUE 7 JULY 2023 Aquaculture Spectrum 19

www.aquaculturespectrum.com ISSN 2581-7892

Volume 6, Issue No.7 | July 2023

TM

Live Fish Transportation

and Domestic Marketing
in Krishna District of
Andhra Pradesh
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