Sep 1, 2020
Odisha state has introduced a new fishery scheme to boost intensive aquaculture through applying Biofloc farming technology
The intention of the said scheme is to provide employment for entrepreneurs and farmers, unemployed young people, and interested fish farmers who have been out of work and are affected by pandemic crisis”,
emphasized Odisha’s Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo.Using Biofloc fishing technology, farmers can cultivated and breed fish in artificial tanks with high densities in an area of between 150 to 200 square meters connected with fresh piped water supply.
The entire system can be used to produce freshwater fish such as rohu, mrigul, singhada, tilapia, pangasius, common carp, and others sweet water fish.The waste from the tanks, such as feed waste and other dead tissues will be recycled and treated to convert to fish feed by using helpful bacteria and carbon source such as molasses.
According to the data analysis, the Biofloc technology can produce 2,000 kilograms of fish from four small tanks on an area of up to 150 square meters while the traditional pond farming system needs an area of 4,000 square meters to produce a similar output in six months.Sahoo said that the Biofloc-based tanks can be installed on terraces of buildings and backyard to supply live or fresh fish to customers nearby.
A Biofloc unit of two tanks will cost Rs. 150,000, which will increase to Rs.400, 000 for a unit of six tanks. The local government will provide a subsidy of 40 percent to fish farmers to build the system.The minister said, “The state government will work to provide necessary technical support for the Biofloc-based farmers, and we hope the new technology will help boost fish production in the state and encourage local people to participate in farming activities in the state”.