BHUBANESWAR: Fish lovers in Odisha will soon have something to cheer about. The State Government has planned to promote farming of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) fish, a tasty freshwater species which is rich in protein.
This variety of Tilapia is a high yielding, short duration, easy to farm, low risk and affordable fish which can be farmed in ponds, small water bodies and reservoir cages. It can grow to market size of 400-500 gm in four to five months while farmers can harvest at least two crops per year.
Sources said a proposal has been prepared to go for this fish culture for a five-year term initially. If the variety is accepted by consumers, it would be taken up widely for commercial production.
Director of Fisheries Bijay Ketan Upadhyay said ground work for the project has been completed and farming is proposed to be started in four districts on a pilot basis. “Cuttack, Kendrapara, Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been identified as priority districts. Initially, we are planning to start in 25 acres and gradually introduce in other districts to scale it up to 1,000 acres by 2022,’’ he said.
The GIFT variety has its own advantages over other fish species due to high degree disease resistance and survival rate in adverse weather condition. The export-oriented fish would increase farm income significantly compared to the existing fish varieties.
Plans are also afoot to promote Tilapia in small backyard ponds, especially in tribal pockets. The fish can be a regular high protein food for tribals to resolve malnutrition problem. As big sized Tilapia commands better retail price, it can be an income generating resource for unemployed.
‘Supply of sufficient quantity and quality of GIFT seed to local farmers is the need of the hour. Therefore, Directorate of Fisheries is planning to establish a GIFT multiplication centre and hatchery at Kausalyaganga fish farm soon. This will help supply enough seeds to local farmers,’’ said an official.
Farmers will also be trained in GIFT farming practices and given regular on-farm extension support to properly manage their farm and achieve high crop success rate. They will be supported to market their fish in the local wholesale and retail markets.
Meanwhile, the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with WorldFish, Malaysia for providing technical expertise for development of fisheries that include increasing productivity, value addition, adoption of best management practices and encouraging participation of private investors in the inland fisheries sector.