Orissa entrepreneur dreams of big success in cage farming

The diversity of entrepreneurs including MBA graduates, engineers and self-help group members who have started cage farming in Orissa under the state’s reservoir fisheries policy. Cages of various sizes and shapes are complex net-walled spaces that allow fresh water exchange and have openings at the top for feeding and maintaining fish stocks.

As part of a pilot project to expand freshwater fish production in the state, 96 entrepreneurs from across the state have started cage farming under a subsidy scheme. Of these, 86 are in Hirakud, the world’s longest earthen reservoir.

With about 138 reservoirs covering an area of ​​about 200,000 hectares, the state fisheries department plans to adopt advanced aquaculture techniques for optimal fish production. Under the pilot project, the department plans to use only his 1% of the total surface area under its control.

cage culture

Orissa is one of the highest fish consuming regions in India. The state’s per capita fish consumption increased from 7.7 kg he in 2000-2001 to 16.4 kg he in 2019-2020.

In 2020-2021, Orissa produced 3.7 lahu (3,74,000) tons of freshwater fish with a 7.7% share of the reservoir. However, to meet consumer demand, the state continues to import freshwater fish. From 2019 to 2020, the state imported her 46,273 tons of fish. This is up from her 38,118 tonnes in 2014-2015.

Experts say cage farming techniques for fish production can bridge the gap between supply and demand.

“There is diversity in Orissa in terms of fish consumption, but there is a net shortage of inland fish,” said Viraj Dwivedi, Sambalpur’s deputy director general of fisheries. “We have tried multiple techniques, such as a tank system that produces 0.5 kg of fish per cubic meter, and bio-flocked fish farming that produces between 5 and 8 kg of fish per cubic meter. , can guarantee the production of 20kg to 40kg of fish per cubic meter.

Of the four major reservoirs in the state, the pilot project was initiated at Hirakud Reservoir located in Sambalpur district.

Currently, most freshwater aquaculture in the state is pond-based. However, there are limits to the growth of pond-based aquaculture. “Cross-cutting demands for water and land are often in conflict, and pond aquaculture requires huge capital investments but not enough returns. WorldFish provides technical expertise to state governments in implementing projects.

“With reservoir-based cage cultures, the minimum production in terms of biomass is at least 20 to 30 times higher. Compared to stagnant ponds, the quality of fish is also better because of the flowing water,” Padhyar said. increase.

Experts and authorities envision cage farming as a way to promote aquaculture entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for local youth.

young entrepreneur

New initiatives in Orissa are considered investor-friendly, environmentally friendly and socially equitable and can be taken up by private entrepreneurs and businesses in collaboration with primary fisheries cooperatives and self-help groups. increase.

In 2020, under state policy, cage aquaculture zones were opened in Hirakud and Indravati Reservoirs and leased to the private sector through expressions of interest. Interested farmers and entrepreneurs have solicited expressions of interest to take advantage of the five-year long-term lease. This can be further extended for up to 5 years.

“Hirakud is the longest freshwater reservoir and we have seen this huge freshwater resource lying unused,” says Saranshu Pansari, an entrepreneur who started cage culture farming with partner Bikash Sarada. said. “Five years ago, when the Orissa government launched cage culture in a public-private partnership model, we were tracking the results. was the first entrepreneur to bring the seed strain variety. In total he has four subzones. One subzone can accommodate 24 rectangular cages or his 3 circular cages. For each subzone, the partner has invested about Rs.

Each subzone has a cage surface area of ​​600 square meters and can accommodate up to 24 rectangular cages 6 m long x 4 m wide x 4 m deep or 3 circular cages 16 m in diameter. About 3,000 kg of fish can be harvested in a rectangular cage.

However, after a one-time investment, there are also monthly expenses. For example, the salaries of his three farm members, including an aquaculture expert, food for about 200,000 fish, fuel to carry the boat, and other maintenance costs. However, the duo wants to make a comeback. “This is just the beginning for us,” Sarada said. “But we have been closely studying and studying cage culture. means there is always demand that needs to be met while ensuring sales and profits.”

They grow exotic fish in rectangular cages divided into nurseries (for more dense fry) and growers (for mature fish with fewer numbers per cage). Pangasius catfish (pangasiusuch) and a variety of tilapia fish.

Another young entrepreneur, Bidyut Biswal, less than a kilometer away from their zone, has invested in circular cages in six of its seven subzones. His cage is the only place where India’s primary carp are harvested. Circular cages with a diameter of 16 m are considered suitable for choppy seas with turbulence caused by waves and wind for India’s primary carp farming.

“Circular cages have higher production capacity and require less maintenance. One circular cage can produce up to 25 tons, which is higher than rectangular cages,” said Biswal.

Apart from private entrepreneurs, the state government has also enlisted a self-help group of 40 members from Balbaspur village in Kira Sama Panchayat in the district to cultivate cage fish. We have been involved in dried fish and floriculture for over 20 years since our founding. “Through the Orissa Livelihood Mission, he was provided with an initial capital of Rs. “So far there has been no investment from our side. It has been six months, but the next he expects to harvest in three months. Only then can we measure profitability. I can.”

However, for self-help groups, the sustainability of projects remains a concern in the absence of investment from their own side. “The model is being tested. But with the support of outside investors who can partner with self-help groups, we believe we can sustain it,” Dwivedi said.

Task

Hugely invested new technologies continue to face challenges in terms of market connectivity, sustainability, disease outbreaks, poaching and other input logistics. Cage farming now relies on specific species that are rarely found in local markets. “Eventually there will be demand in neighboring states where we can export the fish, but the shipping costs are also high.” He has yet to harvest his first fish. The lack of processing units is also a challenge.

For other inputs such as fodder and seeds, entrepreneurs rely on neighboring states such as Andhra Pradesh. “Here in Orissa, there is a shortage of good quality fodder for these species,” Sarada added. “So we rely on feed from Andhra Pradesh. But this also creates an opportunity to diversify into fish feed to cater to the local market.”

Pansari and Salad lost 30% of their juveniles to overfeeding in the first cycle. “We overfed nursery seeds and lost 30% of our inventory in the early stages due to lack of proper awareness. To check disease outbreaks and control mortality due to internal or external factors , we have confirmed that we will hire a specialist,” Pansari said.

They started harvesting the first batch.

However, the fisheries sector plans to address the input gap by building additional infrastructure and starting different units for better production.

This article was originally published on Mongabay.