With farm ponds receiving water following heavy rainfall, the district administration is taking steps to promote fish culture in the ponds to help farmers earn additional income.
To take this forward to farmers, officials made a presentation on fish culture in farms during the farmers’ grievance redressal meeting on Friday. G. Ramakrishnan, PA to Collector (Agriculture), said farm ponds measuring 15 m x 15 m were required to start fish culture.
To conserve rain water
These farm ponds were primarily being established to conserve rainwater. Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, workers were establishing farm ponds in an area of 15 m x 15 m. This was being done for free for small, marginal, SC/ST farmers, Mr. Ramakrishnan added.
“Now, the district has received good rainfall. So far, ponds have been dry, or will have water following spells of rains for 15 days to one month. Heavy rainfall has brought in water to these farm ponds. It can be utilised for fish culture to generate additional income for farmers,” he said.
He said that there should be four to five feet of water in the pond to rear fish. The water should be tested for pH level. Officials provided information on various measures to be adopted to take up fish culture in farm ponds, including food for fish.
Types of fish
Fish such as “katla”, “rohu” and “mrigal” can be reared in the farm ponds. A. Mercy Amala, Inspector of Fisheries, said already, farmers had taken up fish culture in farm ponds, and this was to enable more persons to come forward.
Officials also pointed out that fish varieties were being bred by the Fisheries Department at Mordhana Dam. The department displayed varieties of fish that can be reared in these ponds at the meeting.

Source : The Hindu