The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) is working on a new technology in aquaculture to help double the income of Indian farmers, an official said on Monday.
The institute has recently established a ‘Backyard Re-circulatory Aquaculture System' developed by Cochin University of Science and Technology.
The system, an intensive fish culture pond, enables high density stocking of fish in cages. This would allow off-setting of the load by stocking different varieties and sizes of fish in smaller cages in a pond, the institute said in a statement.
Since the water requirement for this system is quite low, the high-density stocking of fish in different cages enables flexibility in managing a fishpond.
"We can only double the income of farmers by promoting integrated farming practices. Such technology-backed smart farming solutions will encourage youth to undertake farming as an occupation," said W.R. Reddy, Director General at NIRDPR.
This system, inaugurated at the Institute's Rural Technology Park, was established with funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board, a government organisation.
Fish varieties that can be grown in the system include Tilapia, Pangasius, Murrel and Pearlspot. The economics of growing Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT) in the pond, for a stocking period of 120 days over three cycles per year, demonstrates that an average monthly return of Rs 25,750 can be expected from fish culture.
The aquaculture system can act as a source of additional income for farmers located even in low water availability areas, helping them double their income, the statement said. In addition, the sludge periodically pumped out of the pond can be utilised to grow agriculture crops without the addition of chemical fertilizers, it said.
Given that the intensive fish culture does not require to be limited in geography to coastal areas, it can also be used in inland areas, further confirming the flexibility of the system.
The Rural Technology Park at NIRDPR will demonstrate the functioning of the system and provide necessary training to farmers, self-help groups (SHGs) and youth who are keen on undertaking fish culture for enhancing their income.
Amid sporadic incidents of violence, Manipur's two LS seats record 68 per cent voting
Amidst stray incidents of violence, including vandalisation of polling booths, firing, and clashes, around 68 per cent of 15.44 lakh voters cast their votes in two Lok Sabha seats (one partially) in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on Friday, officials said.
LS polls: Assam records 70.65 pc voting till 5 pm; 69.91 pc turnout in Meghalaya
Assam has recorded 70.65 per cent voter turnout till 5 p.m. on Friday, officials said. Five Lok Sabha seats in Assam -- Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur, and Sonitpur -- went to the polls in the first phase.
Brahmos delivery to Philippines realises PM Modi's vision of expanding Bharat's defence footprint
It was in January 2022 that the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a $374.9 million contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines that included supply of shore-based anti-ship missile systems for the Philippines Navy.
Northeast records over 50 pc voting till 3 pm despite inclement weather
In Arunachal - which is going for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections - the Arunachal East parliamentary seat recorded a voter turnout of 56.78 per cent and the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat witnessed 54.53 per cent voter turnout till 3 PM.
Tripura records 68.11% voter turnout till 3 PM
The electoral process for the initial phase in the West Parliamentary Constituency of Tripura commenced at 7 AM, bolstered by stringent security measures. By 3 PM, the voter turnout stood at 68.11%.
Pak-born Bangladeshi national held in Tripura with Indian documents
A 25-year-old man was arrested in Tripura while attempting to cross into Bangladesh illegally, officials said here on Friday, adding that he claimed to be a Pakistani-born Bangladeshi national who had travelled across India.
Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till April 30 over Iran-Israel conflict
Air India on Friday extended the suspension of its flight services to Israel's capital Tel Aviv till April 30, in the wake of prevailing conflict and tension between Israel and Iran.
Love jihad spreading, take care of your girls: K’taka Cong Corporator and father of murder victim
Niranjan Hiremath, the Congress Corporator and father of MCA student Neha Hiremath who was killed on Thursday, stated on Friday that love jihad was spreading rapidly.