Fisheries

In Dakshina Kannada District, the inland fish culture is not much popular due to more marine capture fisheries activities, lack of much fresh water resources and also due to lack knowledge on implementing inland fish culture activities. Hence it is yet get into its momentum to contribute towards inland fish production compare to other districts of the state. Even though the people of Dakshina Kannada district are more addicted with taste of marine fishes, there will great demand for fresh water fish (fetches higher price as high as Rs. 250 – 300 per kg) during rainy season when marine capture activities is completely banned to give an opportunity for the marine fishes to buildup and improve their stock.   Looking into the future scenario for food demand of ever increasing population, inland fish culture is one of the prime sources of providing food. Hence there is need to popularize inland fish culture.
Under Animal science, there is lot of scope for the farmer to increase their household income. They can takeup many activities such as dairy, piggery, poultry, rabbit, goat farming etc. and can link these activities with other agriculture activities as in integrated farming system which fetches higher income.

Results of Front Line Demonstrations 2013-14

1. Composite fish culture:

   This front line demonstration programme was implemented in the month of September in villages like Perumornadu, Shirthadi,  Indubettu, Kaniyur, Balila, Bellare and Kombaragrama by choosing ten farmers who have basic facility for fish culture in their field. Fish seeds (catla, rohu and common carp fingerlings) were provided has critical input. Training was conducted and the mode of technology implementation consisted of preparation of ponds (removal of weed plants, weed fish and carnivore fish), application of lime, periodic application of cowdung manure, fish seed stocking in the pond, feeding management, maintenance of water quality and disease control and fish harvest.  Regular field visits were made for successful implementation of the programme and concluded with field day celebration.

   The results indicated that the fish yield was 33.87 q/ha compared to 23.04 q/ha recorded in farmer practice with an increase in yield by 47% with an B:C ratio of 2.53. Farmers were opined that catla and rohu were performed well compared to common carp.
    

2. Integration of pig with fish farming:  

   This front line demonstration programme was implemented in the month of September in villages like Machina, Amtur and Kaliya by choosing three farmers who have basic facility for fish culture and piglets rearing in their field. Fish seeds (catla, rohu and common carp fingerlings) and Yorkshire piglets were provided has critical input. The mode of technology implementation consisted of preparation of ponds (removal of weed plants, weed fish and carnivore fish), application of lime and cowdung manure, fish seed stocking in the pond and piglets in the nearby pigshed, pigelts feeding management, proper maintenance of water quality by letting out discharges and washouts from pig shed to fish pond, disease control and fish harvest.  Regular field visits were made for successful implementation of the programme and concluded with field day celebration.

   The results indicated that the fish yield was 35.43 q/ha and pig – 30 q/ha compared to 23.27 q/ha and pig – 18.0 q/ha recorded in farmer practice with an increase in fish yield by 52.26% with an B:C ratio of 2.81. Farmers were opined that Integration of pig with fish farming is more profitable since sale of pig as well as piglets yield additional  income along with fish cultivated. 

Farmers Field School

Popularisation of Swarnadhara poultry birds

The objective of the farmer field school was to create awareness among the farmers about backyard rearing of Swarnadhara poultry birds. This programme was implemented at Vagga village, Bantwala taluk during November – December 2013. 20 farmers were selected for among FFS. One among them Mrs. Suchi Pramod Rai is voluntarily elected to conduct the programme in her field providing critical input like day old Swarnadhara chicks, brooder, feeders, drinkers, poultry feed and vaccines.  6 training sessions were conducted covering all aspects pertaining to poultry farming. In each session farmers were exposed to scientific methodology in vaccinating swarnadhara chicks as well as their timely feeding using feeder and providing water through drinkers.  32 days FFS programme was concluded with celebration of field day when the average weight of bird was 750 gm.

The results indicated that the average yield of swarnadhara bird was 2.75 kg / bird compared to 0.60 kg / bird in case of local bird with an increase in yield by 358.33% with an B:C ratio of 2.89.  Farmers were opined that the taste of swarnadhara poultry birds is similar with local birds.

Implemented Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) and Farmers Field School (FFS) during 2014-15