Fish Farming in India – Is it profitable?

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Introduction

Indian culture is rich with flavours. Historically Indian food is enriched with different animal products. Fish was one of the main contents of Indian non vegetarian food. Right now more than 70% of Indians are fish eaters. The desire of Indians to eat fish has paved the path to the modern fish farming industry today in India. Pisciculture or fish farming is a type of agriculture related to growing fish and selling it or using its products for domestic and commercial use. India has had a traditional practice of fish farming through growing fishes in small ponds. But as a modern industry significant advances in productivity were made in the early 19th century. Fish farming or fishery industry is a major sector of the Indian economy which contributes 1.07% of its total GDP. This industry supports the livelihood of about 30 million people in India according to the 2021-22 financial year reports. For India the biggest thing about fish farming is, it is the third largest producer of fish in the world. Let us find out interesting facts about Fish farming in India.

Types of Fish Farming in India

Based on the feeding and breeding process of fishes, there are two main types of fish farming in India.

1. Extensive fish farming
2. Intensive fish farming

Extensive fish farming

Extensive fish farming depends on local photosynthetic production. It is based on a semi-natural environment like existing ponds or other natural water bodies with natural food supply to the fish cultured such as algae, crustaceans and zooplanktons. production of food within the extensive fish farming system can be increased by using fertilisers like animal waste in the pond. The water bodies are mainly fertilised to promote the presence of phytoplankton and zooplankton along with other aquatic vegetation to retain the aquatic food pyramid. Extensive farming can disrupt the natural balance of water bodies sometimes. that can be maintained by stoking ponds with a variety of fish occupying different ecological slots. Fishes which are bred through an extensive fish farming system are carp, catfish, tilapia. Extensive fish farming is a process which is not the most productive way of pisciculture, but it requires diminutive labour, low investment and less input from farmers.

Intensive fish farming

Intensive fish farming systems are far larger than the extensive ones. These systems are based on closed circulation tanks or flow through raceways. In closed circulation tanks there are sophisticated water purification systems. In intensive fish farming the fishes are fed with external food supply like pellets, soy, corm, fish meal. However there are some exceptions like floating sea cages which are exposed to the natural environment. In these farming systems, oxygen level of water, water quality and food supply to the fishes are closely controlled. Intensive fish farming is an expensive process of fish farming, but as the production rates are high it can balance the investment. As in intensive fish farming external food supply is used, fishes grow away from their natural environment. Therefore, this fish farming system has an increased risk of disease. In this way of fishing, fish population density, antibiotic usage, food waste and sewage output is high.

Is Fish Farming Profitable in India?

Fish is a rich source of vitamins, proteins and minerals. This makes demand for fish high in the market. At Least 60% of the Indian population chooses fish as a source of animal protein. The number is increasing day by day. For this reason Fish farming in India is one of the most profitable businesses in the country. According to the year end review 2023 of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, “The Fisheries sector is recognized as the ‘Sunrise Sector’ and is instrumental in sustaining the livelihoods of around 30 million people in India particularly that of the marginalised and vulnerable communities.” India is the third largest fish producing country in the world. It contributes 8% of global production. Fishery contribute s about 1.9% of India’s GVA and contributes about 6.72% of agricultural GVA. India is the 4th largest exporter of Fish and fishery products. Top 5 exporting destinations of Indian fishery products are USA, China, European Union, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has implemented a flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)- to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India” with the highest ever investment of INR 20,050 Cr for a period of five years effective from FY 2020-21 till FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories (UTs). 100% FDI is allowed in the pisciculture and aquaculture sectors of India. The fisheries sector in India has shown a sustained annual average growth rate of 8.61% for the 8-year period from 2014-15 to 2021-22. During 2023-24 FY, till december 2023, proposals from thirty-three (33) States/UTs and other organisations have been approved at a total cost of Rs 2,872.56 crore (Rs 2,868.01 crore under CSS and Rs 4.55 crore under CS) with a central share of Rs 1,068.50 crore (Rs 1,063.95 crore under CSS and Rs 4.55 crore CS), says the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Small fish farming units can earn between INR 3,000–9,000, while larger farms can earn INR 2–4 lakhs per acre. However, starting a fish farm can involve significant costs, and ecological factors.

Benefits of Fish Farming in India

Compared to the traditional agricultural practices, fish farming has several advantages.

1. It can provide higher return on investment because of a shorter production cycle and faster growth rate.
2. It can be carried out in the areas where traditional agriculture is not possible.
3. It can help to improve food security as fish is a rich source of high-quality protein.
4. This industry provides employment opportunities to the marginalised communities. While traditional fishing is facing challenges, modern fish farming is emerging as an alternative livelihood for communities that rely on traditional fishing.
5. Another benefit of fish farming is its customisable conditions. Farmers can choose and regulate factors like water quality, temperature, nutrition. And regulating these factors farmers can increase or reduce production, control well being of fishes for more sustainable farming practices.
6. Fish farming is a sustainable alternative of unplanned fishing, which leads to depletion of wild fish stock present in the natural water bodies.

Disadvantages of Fish Farming

Despite its advantages, fish farming has a lot of challenges and drawbacks. Exploring its disadvantages is essential to understand its impact.

1. A prominent concern about fish farming is the environmental impact associated with intensive fish farming. In intensive fish farming can lead to excess feed and waste, which can result in water pollution.
2. Particularly in high density fish farming systems, disease transmission is another drawback. High density of fishes in a farm can lead to rapid spread of disease.
3. Farmers often use antibiotics and other treatments to prevent spread of disease which can have adverse effects on cultivated fish and the surrounding aquatic environment. These kinds of disease management practices cause antibiotic resistant strains and potential harm to non-target species.
4. The concentration of fishes in the farms can cause homogeneity within population, slowly destroying overall genetic diversity in the species. This reduces genetic variability of the fishes which makes them more susceptible to diseases and environmental changes.
5. In intensive fish farming, feed dependency of farmed fishes can disrupt the ability of fishes to cope with natural aquatic environments. Like farmed carnivores often rely on wild caught fish as a primary component of their feed. This can cause overfishing of this forage fish species.

How to Start Fish Farming in India?

1. First of all, a person need to get trained in the fish farming business
2. Choose a location to create a fish tank or pond according to the voice of fishing.
3. Formulation of the project such as plan papers and general destination and bank loan documents are needed to get licence.
4. It is necessary to keep the right temperature and provisions for breeding fish.
5. Installing a tank in the winter season is preferable as fishes don’t grow much in winter.
6. Water and soil analysis documents are needed for licence.

To Get Registration of Fish Farming in India

1. Service charges to apply for registration is Rs.200/acre and user charges is Rs. 100/-
2. Documents required: Land documents, Post office or Bank Pass book, FMB of the pond selected, Pond sketch detailing and plotting about the construction, location map of the pond and some other documents required if any.
3. Documents required for farm mechanisation: application form for fish farming, proposal form MAO regarding the fish farming business, proof documents, the person photo, person’s identity proof.

These application forms will be accessed by the SRO and will be processed further. For further information visit india.gov.in national portal of India, Registration and Licencing of Fishing Craft.

How to Construct a Fish Pond

1. A person can get a readymade fish pond or buy a plot to dig one to make a necessary shed. For that one must select a land which has more water holding capacity.
2. Preferred land has to be situated in low lying areas and should have adequate water supply.
3. The area should be far away from flood affected areas.
4. Soil pH should be neutral.
5. During construction of the pond it should be provided with proper inlets and outlets.
6. The permissible parameters for soil and water includes sand 40%, slit 20%, clay 40%, organic carbon 0.5-2.0%, nitrogen content should be 20-75 mg and the phosphorus content should be 2-10mg.
7. Water should be light green in colour and water temperature should be maintained between 25-30° C, the transparency should be 30-40cm, the pH should be maintained between 7 to 8.
8. The pond’s facade must be coated with bleaching powder and mud to keep the soil and sand in place.
9. Farmer needs to Prepare a mixture with calcium powder to prevent it from growing algae and fungus in water. Fungus can harm fishes.
10. Oxygen levels of water should be 75-150 ppm, chlorine content should be less than 0.003 and the dissolved solids should be less than 80 ppm.

Conclusion

Over recent years fish farming has not only led to substantial socio-economic benefits but has also brought vast un-utilized and under-utilized land and water resources under this way of agriculture. Freshwater Fish farming being compatible with other farming systems is largely environmentally friendly and provides for recycling and utilization of several types of organic wastes. In the brackish water sector there were issues of waste generation, conversion of agricultural land, salinity, degradation of soil and the environment due to the huge use of drugs and chemicals, destruction of mangroves etc. Although some of these issues posed concerns about fish farming, most of them were isolated instances with the bulk of farming conforming to eco-requirements. So if farmers take into account the pros and cons and approach fishing accordingly, the results are more likely to be positive.