Biofloc fish farming, which has set trends in the pisciculture industry, has started gaining popularity among the rural farmers in the district. M S Rafi, a ward member of Madavoor panchayat and a farmer, has launched biofloc fish farming in connection with the Janakeeya Matsyakrishi project of the state government. The biofloc farming has been set up on 10 cents. The profitable method of fish farming is being practised in four tanks which are of four diameter size. By rearing 1,000 fishes each in a tank, Rafi rears a total of 4,000 genetically improved farmed (GIFT) tilapia fish. According to him, the culture period of farming is six months. “After six months, we expect to harvest fish weighing 400-500g each. Probably, we will be selling the yield in the local market,” said Rafi. “Besides the family support, officials of the fisheries department provide essential regulations to be followed in the farming,” said Rafi. “As it requires less water, land and feed, Biofloc farming technology is the best option for people aiming at commercial fish farming,” he added. Biofloc farming system, promoted by the fisheries department, is considered sustainable and eco-friendly. Mostly in aquaculture, the farmers find it difficult to meet certain costly factors, including the availability of land, water and high-quality feeding. Biofloc farming poses solutions to all these issues faced by the farmers. The farming system, which facilitates recycling and reusing of nutrients in the culture medium, is benefited by the limited or zero water exchange. Most importantly, the system reduces the utilization of protein-rich feed and the cost of standard feed.
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