Pisciculture more rewarding than traditional farming: study

INDIA - Pisciculture may not be a popular vocation among farmers in Punjab, but it offers nearly double the returns compared to popular crop combinations like wheat-paddy and wheat-cotton, says a study.

Fish farming has a potential to give net returns worth Rs 37,720 per hectare, as against wheat-paddy (Rs 13,427 per hectare) and wheat-cotton (Rs 19,454), according to the the economic analysis conducted by Department of Economics of Punjab Agricultural University.

The area under fish farming has grown with annual Compounded Growth Rate (CGR) of 12.75 per cent to 8,132 hectares from 343 hectares in 1980-81, despite several problems that the sector faces, the study noted.

Fish production in the state touched 74,000 tonnes from 2,800 tonne in 1980-81 and the income from fish farming has also grown to Rs 281.66 crore from Rs 1.74 crore in 1980-81.

As a result of which, contribution of fish income to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at factor cost has jumped to 0.32 from 0.03 per cent.

This profession, however, faces several obstacles like lack of quality fish seed and costly feed for fish, besides diseases, lack of clientele and storage facilities.

Source: NewKerala.com