Financial conditions of farmers in our country are a cause for concern nationwide. News of farmers committing suicide for not being able to pay back the debts and loans often come to light. The government and people in power are taking several steps to help and provide financial aid to farmers all over the country.
Accordingly, Cochin University of Science and Technology has recently established a ‘Backyard Re-circulatory Aquaculture System’ which will help farmers to boost their income. “The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is working on new technology in aquaculture to help double the income of Indian farmers, an official said on Monday, reports India Today.
Describing the project, the institute said, “The system, an intensive fish culture pond, enables high-density stocking of fish in cages. This would allow off-setting of the load by stocking different varieties and sizes of fish in smaller cages in a pond.” The system requires low quantity of water hence making it easier and convenient to work.
“We can only double the income of farmers by promoting integrated farming practices. Such technology-backed smart farming solutions will encourage youth to undertake farming as an occupation,” said WR Reddy, Director General at NIRDPR.
The National Fisheries Development Board, a government organization have funded the system which was inaugurated at the Institute’s Rural Technology Park. Tilapia, Pangasius, Murrel and Pearlspot variety of fishes will be bred in the system.
“The economics of growing Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT) in the pond, for a stocking period of 120 days over three cycles per year, demonstrates that an average monthly return of Rs 25,750 can be expected from fish culture. The aquaculture system can act as a source of additional income for farmers located even in low water availability areas, helping them double their income”, the statement said.
“In addition, the sludge periodically pumped out of the pond can be utilized to grow agriculture crops without the addition of chemical fertilizers”, the institute said in a statement.
The functioning of the system will be demonstrated by the Rural Technology Park at NIRDPR to provide necessary training to farmers, self-help groups (SHGs) and youth who are keen on undertaking fish culture for enhancing their income.
We hope the aquaculture system helps farmers boost their income and aids them in stabilizing their financial conditions.
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