Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jan 20: Fish lovers in the district can hope to get healthy fish soon. 'Subhiksha Keralam' pisciculture scheme which is being implemented by the local administration in association with the department of fisheries with 40 percent subsidy, has been introduced in the district. Under this scheme, 420 farmers have begun to rear fishes. Almost half of them are conducting this activity in their own backyards. They grow Asam Bale fish variety which grows to weigh about a kg each in eight months.

Fish food is very costly. However, under this scheme, bioflex technology ensures that the food consumption is restricted to 30 percent. In this pisciculture, ammonium, bacteria, carbohydrate (powder of tapioca, sugar) etc are converted into microbial protein. Therefore, the food the fish needs would be always available in the tank. In a 21 cubic metre tank, 1,250 fingerlings are grown. In six months, they are expected to gain a weight of 400 to 500 grams.

Under this scheme, a bioflex tank can be created in the courtyards. About two cents of land would be enough. In Kasargod district, 136 bioflex units can produce nearly 100 tonnes of fish in a year. In the market, they command Rs 120 to 300 per kg.

Good quality fish can be got by placing six kg fishes along with 1,500 fingerlings. Under another attractive scheme of the fisheries department, fishes are gown through backwater cages under which prawns and some other varieties of fishes are grown.

Under the above scheme, it is proposed to produce 300 tonnes of fish. Many NRIs and young people who have lost jobs due to Covid pandemic are hoping for new possibilities through this scheme. Even the women have shown interest in this kind of pisciculture.