<p>A large number of farmers are evincing interest in pursuing pisciculture or fish farming. The stall set up by the Fisheries department at the Raitha Dasara is indeed a crowd puller. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The stall hosts a tank with a variety of fish, including Mrigal, Rohu (Labeo Rohita) and Catla, and is surrounded by a number of saplings and shrubs. The stall explains about the benefits of pisciculture and also, explains how, the occupation can be helpful in multiple ways. The water from the tank can be used for watering plants and trees too. <br /><br />Assistant Director of the Fisheries department C N Bhavani explains that farmers can save water through fish farming. The water from the tank, where fish are bred, is fertile and useful for crops.<br /><br />Rajegowda, a farmer from Hunsur, says, during drought, pisciculture can be a boon to the farmers. “Most of the farmland are dotted with tanks, which be utilised for fishfarming. The venture requires very little investment, apart from government aid,” he adds.<br /><br />Basavamma from T Narsipur said, “Usually we cook fish from lakes and streams which are not suitable for consumption. Through pisciculture, one can consume healthy stuff.”<br /><br />Aid under NMPS <br />Says Bhavani, “Several schemes have been introduced by the government to promote pisciculture. Assistance for construction of fish ponds under the National Mission for Protein Supplement (NMPS) has been introduced with an objective to enhance inland fish production, thereby increasing availability of proteinaceous food for people. Under the scheme, there is a proposal to bring at least 350 hectares of water spread area under pisciculture and increase its production,” she added.<br /><br />The government has also introduced a Fish Seed Rearing in Peripheral Ponds Scheme with an objective to encourage construction of fish ponds along the periphery of the major irrigational tanks and fish seed breeding to help farmers, Bhavani explained.<br /><br />The government also offers 40 and 50% subsidy for general and SC/ST categories respectively, for the construction of ponds. Besides, consumption of fish has numerous health benefits. It improves artery health, helps lower blood pressure and arrests high cholesterol.<br /><br />A wide range of fishing equipment like nets, crates to carry them, insulated boxes, life jackets and details of different schemes available for fish farming from the government, are on display. Farmers are keen to breed the Common Carp and Rohu variety, says Bhavani.<br />DH News Service</p>
<p>A large number of farmers are evincing interest in pursuing pisciculture or fish farming. The stall set up by the Fisheries department at the Raitha Dasara is indeed a crowd puller. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The stall hosts a tank with a variety of fish, including Mrigal, Rohu (Labeo Rohita) and Catla, and is surrounded by a number of saplings and shrubs. The stall explains about the benefits of pisciculture and also, explains how, the occupation can be helpful in multiple ways. The water from the tank can be used for watering plants and trees too. <br /><br />Assistant Director of the Fisheries department C N Bhavani explains that farmers can save water through fish farming. The water from the tank, where fish are bred, is fertile and useful for crops.<br /><br />Rajegowda, a farmer from Hunsur, says, during drought, pisciculture can be a boon to the farmers. “Most of the farmland are dotted with tanks, which be utilised for fishfarming. The venture requires very little investment, apart from government aid,” he adds.<br /><br />Basavamma from T Narsipur said, “Usually we cook fish from lakes and streams which are not suitable for consumption. Through pisciculture, one can consume healthy stuff.”<br /><br />Aid under NMPS <br />Says Bhavani, “Several schemes have been introduced by the government to promote pisciculture. Assistance for construction of fish ponds under the National Mission for Protein Supplement (NMPS) has been introduced with an objective to enhance inland fish production, thereby increasing availability of proteinaceous food for people. Under the scheme, there is a proposal to bring at least 350 hectares of water spread area under pisciculture and increase its production,” she added.<br /><br />The government has also introduced a Fish Seed Rearing in Peripheral Ponds Scheme with an objective to encourage construction of fish ponds along the periphery of the major irrigational tanks and fish seed breeding to help farmers, Bhavani explained.<br /><br />The government also offers 40 and 50% subsidy for general and SC/ST categories respectively, for the construction of ponds. Besides, consumption of fish has numerous health benefits. It improves artery health, helps lower blood pressure and arrests high cholesterol.<br /><br />A wide range of fishing equipment like nets, crates to carry them, insulated boxes, life jackets and details of different schemes available for fish farming from the government, are on display. Farmers are keen to breed the Common Carp and Rohu variety, says Bhavani.<br />DH News Service</p>
