Carp Culture in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India: An Economic Analysis

Abstract

Carp culture is attracting farmers' attention as a means to increase farm income in Thanjavur district, the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu State, India. Data from 40 randomly chosen farmers were collected to analyze the economics of carp culture and to determine the reasons for yield variations using the Probabilistic Frontier Production Function model. Average figures per hectare reported by the respondents were 888.11 kg annual yield, Rs. 19,961 (US$ 665.37) gross income, Rs. 9,397 (US$ 313.23) total cost, and Rs.10,564 (US$ 352.1 3) net income. The highest mean yields for ponds less than 1 ha each were related to the highest levels of adoption of inputs recommended, indicating that the wide yield variations were due largely to gaps in input adoption. Widespread and successful culture of the three Indian major carps - catla, rohu, mrigal, - as against the six-species combination recommended under composite fish culture, pointed to a research gap. As expected, among the three market channels found, the one in which farmers sold live fish directly to consumers fetched a 33% higher price and consequently more income. A two-pronged approach of strengthening research on relevant field problems (like species mix, optimal input mix, disease control, feed, and supply of credit) and extension support for widespread dissemination of technology to fish farmers would bridge research and extension gaps, and maximize output from the fishponds. Probabilistic Frontier Production Func­tion analysis clearly brings out this potential.