National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD-PR) is working on a new technology in aquaculture to help double the income of farmers with the institute by recently establishing 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. Since the water requirement for this system is quite low, high-density stocking of fish in different cages enables flexibility in managing a fish pond. This system, inaugurated at the institute’s Rural Technology Park, was established with funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), said Director-General W.R. Reddy. Fish varieties that can be grown in the system include Tilapia, Pangasius, Murrel and Pearlspot. GIFT economics 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. Doubling of farmers income is possible by promoting integrated farming practices, and technology-backed smart farming solutions will encourage youth to undertake farming as an occupation, said Dr. Reddy. The aquaculture system can act as a source of additional income for farmers located even in low water availability areas. Flexibility In addition, the sludge periodically pumped out of the pond can be utilised to grow agriculture crops without the addition of chemical fertilizers. The system is quite flexible as the intensive fish culture does not require to be limited to coastal areas and can also be used in inland areas, he explained. The Rural Technology Park will demonstrate the functioning of the system and provide necessary training to farmers, self-help groups and youth keen on undertaking fish culture for enhancing their income. The institute is establishing modules for training programme on the aquaculture system for promoting it as a sustainable mode of income generation through integrated farming. Since technical supervision is required in the construction process, training is being proposed for fishery graduates in consultation with NFDB so that they can become certified promoters of this technology to farmers, he added.