Aquaculture in Seasonal Ponds in Kalahandi District of Orissa, India Towards Ensuring Nutritional Security

Abstract

With an objective of disseminating the technology of freshwater aquaculture through skill training and on-farm demonstration, the present work was carried out in Kalahandi district of Orissa under Jai Vigyan National Science and Technology Mission. Thirty one ponds covering 18 ha water area were adopted during first year for dissemination of the technology of carp polyculture. As many as 206 beneficiaries were included under the programme in the district covering three blocks, viz., Koksara, Dharmagarh and Junagarh. Technology of carp polyculture was demonstrated in all the adopted ponds. With maximum of 2.45 tonnes/ha, the mean fish production level of 0.49 tonnes/ha was achieved in adopted ponds during culture period of 6-8 months. Production levels recorded were 2-4 times higher than those recorded during pre-adoption period, in spite of several inherent constraints like low water retention, adverse climatic condition, social restriction for use of manures and fertiliser and above all the short-term culture for 6-8 months. Besides, this has contributed to the nutritional security in terms of regular supply of fish protein, which otherwise were not available in such quantity for them and also in the locality.