National Fish Farmer’s Day is celebrated every year on July 10th to honour and appreciate the vital role played by scientists, fish farmers, aquaculture industry professionals and other related stakeholders in developing a sustainable and successful fisheries sector. The invaluable contributions of fish farmers and their commitment towards sustainable aquaculture practices are noteworthy in the fisheries economy point of view in our country. On July 10th in 1957, the successful induced breeding of Indian Major Carps was taken up by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr. Alikunhi at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Cuttack, Odisha. It is a day to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of these scientists, who with a lot of organisational support achieved this feat that has revolutionised the entire fisheries sector.
The induced breeding of Indian Major Carps was a major breakthrough in the field of aquaculture as farmers hitherto strived hard and dependent on natural resources for fish seed collection. This breeding technique allowed fish farmers to produce ample fish seed on a much larger scale, which paved the way to meet the growing demand for fish in India. At present, India is ranked second in the world for aquaculture. The nation’s economy and general development are greatly influenced by the fisheries sector which is aptly known as the ‘sunrise sector’.
With the rapid depletion of terrestrial food resources, the rational exploitation of aquatic resources has gained importance. Fish is a healthy and nutritious food, cheap, rich in protein, easily digestible and it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. By promoting sustainable approaches in fish farming, an ample food supply for future food security is an urgent need. National Fish Farmer’s Day serves as a reminder of the significance of sustainable aquaculture and encourages fish farmers to adopt good management practices
Indeed, fish farming is a major source of employment in India and it provides a sustainable source of protein for the teeming masses. The importance of the National Fish Farmers Day lies in highlighting the significant role to be played by fish farmers and other stakeholders.
∙ Fish farming supports global food security by supplying a stable protein source, meeting increasing aquatic food demand amid rising populations.
∙ Fish farming is pivotal economically in coastal and rural areas, creating jobs, generating income and supporting local economies through several subsidiary industries.
∙ Fish farming fosters innovation in aquaculture technology, genetics, and farming techniques, disease control and overall sustainability.
∙ Fish farming promotes a wide variety of nutritious aquatic food with good quality and at reasonable price.
∙ Sustainable practices are to be followed like efficient water use, responsible feed sourcing and waste management to minimize environmental impact, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
The status of fresh water fish culture as a “sunrise sector” highlights its potential for significant growth and development in the coming years.
Andhra Pradesh is known for its aquaculture practices, particularly in freshwater fish farming. The state has favourable geographical conditions, including a long coastline, numerous rivers and suitable climate, which are conducive to aquaculture activities. The Indian major carps (Catla, Rohu, Mrigal) followed by exotic carps (Common carp, Grass carp, silver carp) and other freshwater exotic fish such as Tilapia and Pangasius coupled with fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium rosembergii (Scampi) forms the main candidate species for taking up freshwater aquaculture. As far as seed production is considered, Spawn Production in Government Farms is more than 6000 lakhs whereas in private Farms, it is more than 5,00,000 lakhs. The general assumption is that fry production from spawn will be 25% and fingerling production from fry will be 50%. As of now, Andhra Pradesh is a fish seed surplus state. The fish seed farms (Nurseries & Rearing Ponds) in Andhra Pradesh play a crucial role in supplying quality fish seeds (fingerlings and juveniles) to fish farmers across the state and even to other parts of India. These farms are essential for maintaining a steady supply of juvenile fish for stocking ponds and reservoirs.
Over the years, Andhra Pradesh has seen advancements in making attempts to rear advanced yearlings (Farmer’s innovation as ‘Zero Point Culture’) as part of withstanding diseases, obtaining fast growth in lesser time with higher survival rates. This has improved the quality and productivity of fish seeds produced, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of aquaculture operations.
Needless to say, the state government of Andhra Pradesh has implemented various policies and schemes to support the aquaculture sector, including subsidies for establishing fish seed farms, training programs for farmers and infrastructure development — all these led to the overall development of the fish farming sector. The major challenges encountered in this sector are disease outbreaks, Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) due to irrational usage of antibiotics, environmental impacts and market fluctuations.
Fish seed farming contributes significantly to the rural economy of Andhra Pradesh by providing employment opportunities, income generation for farmers and plays a crucial role in sustaining the state’s vibrant aquaculture industry, supporting food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth. The hard work, research with dedication of scientists of yesteryears has ushered into today’s ‘Blue Revolution.’
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” —— H.W.Longfellow
Author– Dr.P. Ram Mohan Rao, Ph.D.; Dy. Director of Fisheries (Rtd), Kakinada.
