Round-the-year fish rearing with limited water consumption to begin in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh will start land-based fish farming using recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) technology under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme for sustainable development of fisheries, officials said on Sunday.

The state plans to set up 15 fish ponds in the next five years.

For training the first batch of fish farmers, they will be sent to the National Fisheries Development Board in Hyderabad for training in aquaculture techniques under cold water fisheries.

The RAS technology is a new way to farm fish under which fish are reared in indoor tanks with limited use of water in a controlled environment, instead of traditional method of fish rearing in water reservoirs, open tanks, ponds and rivers.

A regular supply of limited quantity of clean water is ensured at a controlled temperature and with a dissolved oxygen content that is optimum for growth in a closed and containment system.

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The method is ideal for fish farmers during shortage of water in summer as farmers can supplement their income with little use of water through inland fisheries using the RAS technology.

The Fisheries Department of Himachal Pradesh estimates that a total of 40 tonnes per unit annual fish production will be achieved in low hills, while in high-altitude areas; there will be four to 19 tonnes capacity units, which will meet the growing demand of trout fish in metropolitan areas.

With the operation of all 15 fish farms, approximately 270 tonnes of fish is expected to be produced annually by opting the RAS technology, claimed Fisheries Minister Virender Kanwar.

He said the rainbow trout will be reared in coldwater, while in normal water, pangasius, tilapia and common carp will be reared.

The government intends to promote private investment in the field by providing incentives of up to 40% of the total cost under the scheme to general category while the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and women get 60%.

According to Kanwar, the aim of the new projects is to raise different varieties of fish, throughout the year, but not at high input costs. In addition, the wastewater of the industry can be used for agriculture, irrigation, and domestic purposes.