Attractive subsidies to start pisciculture in Mysore

At a time when farmers are turning to animal husbandry and apiculture (maintenance of honey bee colonies) to improve profits, fisheries department is taking measures to encourage pisciculture (rearing fish under controlled conditions) by offering attractive subsidies to farmers.

Under the financial assistance provided by the government under various schemes, farmers can avail assistance from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 for rearing fish on one acre. Also, the fisheries department is helping farmers in availing bank loans.

According to department officials, an approximate of Rs 54,000 is needed to start pisciculture on an area of one acre. If 2,500 fishes are reared, then farmers can earn profits up to Rs 26,000, they said.

Fisheries department assistant director Bhavani observed that fisheries was a profitable venture.
However, due to lack of awareness among the public, the maximum benefit is yet to be taken from pisculture. Apart from financial assistance, the fisheries department offers 50 per cent discount on purchase of select fishes. The department is already conducting awareness programmes at the grama panchayat level to expand the reach of pisciculture.

Fish purchase centre
Farmers can purchase fry (young fish) at Nugu Fish Fry Centre at Kabini Industrial Area in H D Kote taluk, Bidarahalli Production Centre, Alanahalli Fish Seed Farm, Kapila Fish Seed Farm and Fish Fry Production Centre at Karimuddanahalli. Varieties of fish include Katla, Rohu, Mrugal, Belligende and Hullugende.

Advise
Fisheries department says that before undertaking pisciculture it is necessary to test the soil. If the soil is loose, then the water would drain away. However, land with a mixture of clay and sand is best suited for pisciculture.

Land near irrigated areas, paddy fields, non-agricultural lands are also suitable. It is advisable to take assistance of local fisheries department staff, before taking up pisciculture.