1. Title: Sikkim is now the land of Rainbow Trout farming
2. Challenge:
Small and un-organized land holdings (700-900 m2) in the mountain regions of the country are challenging for agriculture-based activities. Moreover, difficult terrains, inadequate transport and complex micro climatic conditions pose major limitations for the inhabitants of such areas. Thus, the farmers in the hill region mostly practice integrated type of farming that has often resulted in low productivity and limited income. However, scientific approach and better management practices can help in improving the income of the farmers. Fish culture provides an additional source of income to the farmers in hills as fish can be produced locally and use as preferred and protein rich food by the people. Hill states have an inherent potential for rainbow trout culture due to its suitable climatic conditions like cool and well oxygenated good quality water that can favour the growth of rainbow-trout. Perennial cold-water resources available in mountainous states are boon for the local inhabitants that can be effectively utilized to adopt trout culture. Moreover, this is a good option of sustainable livelihood besides food security. Trout farming in India is over a century old was initially introduced for the purpose of angling. It became a profitable venture for its cultivators and rainbow trout gradually became a part of human diet. Rainbow trout is relatively easy to cultivate, has better growth, with maximum cultivable traits and has ability to tolerate a wide range of water temperatures (from 0-20˚C). It can be cultivated in freshwater sources originating from aquifers, springs and streams besides high-altitude lakes and reservoirs.
Sikkim, a small state of Indian Union, is located in the foothills of the great Himalayas. It is the second smallest state in India with an area of merely 7096 sq km and a population of 6.08 lakhs. Nature has endowed this state with distinct advantage of abundant water bodies and varied aquatic life. These perennial cold-water resources are suitable for the local people to adopt trout culture as sustainable livelihood. However, potential success in trout production requires good governance and significant improvement in the management practices. Envisaging the prospects of rainbow trout farming, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal developed a practice of adoptable rainbow trout farming and successfully transferred it to the farmers of Sikkim involving the State Fisheries Department.
3. Initiative
Though, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir are the leading states for trout production in the country, but ICAR-DCFR Bhimtal took initiative to promote trout culture in the Sikkim state considering suitable climatic condition and abundance of water. There were only a few trout growers in the state before the year 2010. Presently, Sikkim contributing about 14% in the total trout production of the country having more than 400 progressive trout growers and they are earning profitable income. This is due to the collaborative effort of ICAR-DCFR for technical guidance and State Fisheries department of Sikkim for developmental planning. A consistent technical support was provided to the departmental trout farms and to fish growers of the state for better management practices including brood stock management, feed and feeding, water quality management, adequate design of raceway, dry stripping method of breeding, better ova house practices, integration of rainbow trout farming with cardamom cultivation and health management. Brood stock management and healthy seed production at departmental trout farms was taken up by ICAR-DCFR on the priority to fulfill the seed requirement of the state. Brood stocks of the trout were maintained at State trout farm Uttarey, Rabum and Yuksom under the technical guidance of the ICAR-DCFR. At present, three state trout farms are functional for the production of sufficient trout seed in order to stock in raceways of private farmers and for stocking in natural water bodies. Improved design of the cement concrete raceway of 30 square meters (15m length and 2m width) size with adequate outlet was suggested to the farmers. Appropriate feeding strategy was introduced at state trout farms and to trout growers. Fungal infection, a serious threat in hatcheries was controlled by implementing good health and management practice during the egg incubation and seed rearing. Cardamom, the major cash crop of Sikkim, was integrated with rainbow trout farming taking the advantage of similar climatic requirement and common use of available water for the both commodities. Now trout growers are also cultivating cardamom thereby getting 1.5-fold enhanced production of cardamom by irrigation with nitrogen rich out-flowing water of the trout raceways. A wooden stripping stand was introduced for easy stripping operation and to reduce the man power and physical stress to the fish during breeding operation. Technology was disseminated to farmers in cluster approach. In first phase, contact was made with farmers of West Sikkim through the traditional village leaders of Uttarey, Sribadam, Upper Rimbi, Hipatal and Begha clusters involving personnel from fisheries department, Govt. of Sikkim. Basically, they were cardamom cultivators and knowledge of rainbow trout farming and how it can benefit a household was shared with farmers of each cluster. Village meetings were conducted for each cluster under the headship of a leader farmer involving departmental block officers/grass root level workers. Skill training for five days was provided in different batches to the selected leader farmers & department personnel at State trout farm Uttarey. Financial help for fish pond construction and seed & feed was provided by the department to the trained leader farmers. These leading farmers remained in contact to DCFR scientists & block officer for farm advisory during the first crop of rainbow trout. Five adopted farmers became success story for all five clusters covering 12 villages. These leading farmers were motivators and readily available resource persons for other farmers in the vicinity besides functioning as an important link with the Scientists at DCFR. Similar approach was carried out in the other districts of the state. Rainbow trout farming was also introduced successfully to rehabilitate the disaster affected tribal farmers at Upper Rimbi. Disease surveillance for health monitoring and pond cleaning protocol was also been taken up for further improvement in trout farming. Technical support was given to state fisheries department for the establishment of trout feed mills and trout feed formulation. Hence, a consistent technical support has been provided by ICAR-DCFR to the State with the hope that the State would be a hub of trout seed and feed for the entire North-East region.
4. Key results/Outputs
The technical guidance of ICAR-DCFR has given a boost in adopting suitable technology in private sector by consequently strengthening 400 private trout growers in the State. It is important to mention that there was hardly any trout grower in the State during the year 2008-09 as the state was lacking technical know-how. Now the State has achieved total production of rainbow trout around 110 tonnes from both public and private sector with average production 700kg/raceway. Most of the production is consumed locally in households and in some high end hotels of Gangtok and Peling. However, it has been observed that trout farming is a viable livelihood option for the local population with high market demand in the higher altitudinal areas. Farmers are earning a net profit of Rs. 1.2 lakhs from a single raceway of the size of 30m2 in 12 months after stocking of advanced fingerlings @ 1500 nos./raceway.
5. Impact
Sikkim is now the third leading state in terms of rainbow trout farming having 14% contribution in total trout production of the country. This remarkable achievement is a result of extension and transfer of technology provided by ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal. There has been a boost in rainbow trout and cardamom production in the state by adopting the technique of integrated farming among farmers in small clusters. Realizing the potential and the abundance of resources the Directorate of Fisheries over the years has been encouraging and guiding the public to take up trout farming as one of the income generating activity for their livelihood.
6. Lessons learnt
Rainbow trout farming is a promising aquaculture practice in hill states, by which farmers can achieved better earning from limited land area. This practice is easily adoptable, high income generating for the small and medium farmers of hill state like Sikkim. Cluster approach involving village leaders and departmental personnel is a good extension tool for the expansion of trout farming in hills
7. Supporting Quotes and Images
Discussion was made with Director, Fisheries department and Secretary (Fisheries), Govt. of Sikkim regarding progress of trout farming in West Sikkim and promotion of trout farming in other districts. A letter of appreciation was provided by Govt. of Sikkim to the Scientists of DCFR for commendable work for the technical support and promotion of rainbow trout farming in the Sikkim State.
Photos/Images depicting the success story
Sikkim is now the third leading state in terms of rainbow trout farming having 14% contribution in total trout production of the country. This remarkable achievement is a result of extension and transfer of technology provided by ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal. There has been a boost in rainbow trout and cardamom production in the state by adopting the technique of integrated farming among farmers in small clusters. Realizing the potential and the abundance of resources the Directorate of Fisheries over the years has been encouraging and guiding the public to take up trout farming as one of the income generating activity for their livelihood.
Better Rainbow trout production, 700kg/30m2
Hands - on- field training to departmental personnel & farmers
Blood sampling of diseased fish
Meeting with Hon'ble Minister of Fisheries, Govt. of Sikkim
8. Additional Information
Contact detail of the concerned scientist/ extension professional for any clarification
Dr. N. N. Pandey, Principal Scientist Dr. Amit Pande, Principal Scientist Dr. R. S. Haldar, Chief Technical Officer
2.Title: Breeding, hatchery management and seed production of endangered golden mahseer (Tor putitora): A glorious accomplishment for its propagation, rehabilitation and eco-tourism development
2. Challenge:
Golden mahseer (Tor putitora), is a cyprinid which is considered as a flagship species in upland fisheries of Himalayan sub-continent by virtue of its economic, ecological, recreational, heritage, cultural and food values. It has a reputation of being one of the hardest fighting game fish which attracts anglers from all over the world and manifests higher potential for eco-tourism and ample livelihood opportunities of local communities. However, due to various factors like pollution, environmental degradation, habitat fragmentation by hydroelectric and irrigation projects and indiscriminate fishing, its population in natural water bodies/habitat had declined sharply over many decades and consequently, it has been declared as endangered species and listed in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It has become a subject of great concern for biologists, conservationist and policy makers to safeguard and augment the existing stock through the development of seed production technology and habitat conservation.
Till recently, the breeding and seed production of golden mahseer is being done using gravid mahseer fishes collected from lakes/rivers/ponds for stripping, artificial fertilization and hatching. The incubation and seed rearing of golden mahseer is carried out in the flow through mahseer hatchery developed at this Directorate. However, getting the ripe females brooders from the wild as well as from the aquaculture pond for breeding is always a bottleneck for its mass scale seed production. This is because golden mahseer females fail to complete ovarian development and breed in captive conditions due to endocrine dysfunctions which has also been investigated and proved. There is very limited success of breeding of golden mahseer in captivity through hormonal interventions.
3. Initiative:
Identifying the challenging issue of captive maturation, breeding and hatchery management of endangered golden mahseer, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal has focused research on exploring its reproductive dysfunction, life-history traits, breeding biology, larval & broodstock nutrition, health management and possibilities of inducing maturity in captivity through manipulations of environmental factors such as photoperiod, temperature, spawning substratum coupled with biofilteration system as well as broodstock diet manipulations and investigated various endocrine profiles, physiological indices and phenotypic and genetic characters related to maturity and spawning. Overall results of the series of experiments and trials over a period lead to the onset of maturity in golden mahseer in captivity and its multiple spawnings.
4. Key results/outputs:
Through the concerted research efforts, the Directorate has successfully addressed the longstanding challenge/issue of captive maturation, breeding and hatchery management of endangered golden mahseer which otherwise has been a major bottleneck for large scale propagation efforts to conserve and rehabilitate this esteemed species in the water bodies of Indian Himalayan region.
The following protocols/technology has been developed on mahseer as a result of the concerted research efforts of the Directorate:
Flow through hatchery technology for breeding and seed production of golden mahseer.
Microparticulate diet for larval rearing of golden mahseer
Technology of captive maturation and spawning of golden mahseer through photo-thermal manipulations
Customized broodstock diet for attaining captive maturation in golden mahseer
In-situ larval rearing of golden mahseer in cages in lakes for rehabilitation and ranching programmes
Successful transfer of hatchery technology of mahseer to various State Fisheries Departments.
Besides, stock enhancement programmes using hatchery produced mahseer fingerlings and capacity-building training programmes were organized on seed production, hatchery management and rehabilitation of golden mahseer over the decades in order to re-establish the stock of golden mahseer, which is a native fish to the Himalayan streams/lakes and rivers and develop man power to disseminate and sustain the technology. ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal conducted many awareness programmes for the propagation and rehabilitation of golden mahseer which has not only increased the public awareness as to value the coldwater resources but also has sent the message of knowledge and motivation for the protection of this magnificent germplasm of Indian Himalayan water bodies. The publication of books, bulletins, pamphlets (multilingual), training manuals in addition to research articles has made this "Hatchery technology" more reachable to the stakeholders viz. state fisheries departments, fish farmers, hatchery technicians, entrepreneurs and researchers for further development. The research papers and other publications published in the course of developing and transferring this hatchery technology are given in Annexure 1.
5. Impact
Through this technology, ICAR-DCFR has been able to produce significant numbers of golden mahseer fingerlings and utilize them for propagation and rehabilitation during last 10 (ten) years through many ranching programmes in different lakes, rivers and reservoirs of Himalayan states. Besides ranching, DCFR has been supplying golden mahseer fingerlings to many state fisheries departments for their conservation programmes. Further, to cater the overall need of mahseer seeds, DCFR has established flow through mahseer hatcheries at Eco-camp, ABACA, Nameri National Park, Tezpur, Assam; Bagua fish farm in Sikkim. DCFR has also extended consultancy for the establishment of mahseer hatchery to Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd., Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, LANCO Energy-Teeshta VI Project, Sikkim and Fisheries Resource Management Association, Kerala. Besides the development of hatcheries, DCFR has also established and developed "Mahseer Eco-tourism Park" at Jasingfaa Aqua Tourism Centre, Nagaon, Assam in PPP most which is considered a major tourists spots in Northeastern India. Recently, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal has extended the mahseer breeding and hatchery technology to State Fisheries Departments of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram by establishing mahseer hatcheries and brood bank signing MOU with the state fisheries department and successful breeding has been carried out, producing a substantial number of golden mahseer fingerlings which is a major achievement of the Directorate in recent times.
Furthermore, the research and technological achievement in captive maturation and spawning of golden mahseer through photo-thermal manipulation is going to be a silver lining in the strangled conservations efforts of decades and has the potential of making the golden mahseer seed production technology sustainable, viable and cost-effective as well as the potential of reversing the population status of golden mahseer from 'endangered' to 'abundance' in future. This will ultimately enhance production and productivity of golden mahseer and will offer ample livelihood opportunities through sports fishery, ecotourism and aquaculture.
6. Lessons learnt
Golden mahseer is the "Tiger of the river" and has the huge potential of food, sports and eco-tourism generating ample livelihood opportunities. There are many identified potential areas of the coldwater states which can be developed for mahseer brood bank and eco-tourism centre. Golden mahseer can be of multiple uses such as fish watching, angling and aquaculture. Together with state fisheries departments and peoples participation, the mighty mahseer can be conserved and used for livelihood generation in the Himalayan uplands.
7. Supporting Quotes and Images
8. Additional information
Contact Persons
:
Dr. Debajit Sarma,
Director (Act.), ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal
:
Dr. M. S. Akhtar,
Scientist (SS), ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal
Address
:
ICAR- Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal-263136, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India, Telephone No. +91-5942247280, Fax: +91-5942247693; Email: dcfrin@gmail.com; dsarma_sh@yahoo.co.in
List of research partners
:
All the research works and demonstrations were carried out with the funding from ICAR
Photos or images depicting the success story
Golden mahseer brooders in biofilteration tank system
Mahseer flow-through hatchery
Golden mahseer hatchlings
Golden mahseer fry
Mahseer Eco-tourism at Jasingfaa with the Hon'ble Minister of Assam
Breeding of Golden Mahseer
Breeding of golden mahseer in Nagaland
Mahseer hatchery at Nagaland with the Hon'ble Minister of Nagaland
Ranching of hatchery produced advanced fingerlings of golden mahseer into Lakes and Rivers of Indian Himalayan Region
Kosi river, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Sariyatal Lake, Uttarakhand
Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand
Naukuchiatal Lake, Uttarakhand
Baijnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Mehao Lake, Arunachal Pradesh
3. Higher fish production using improved strains of common carp maintained at ICAR-DCFR for in mid hills aquaculture
Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research has put commendable efforts to develop model of fish culture in hills. Generally hill aquaculture is based on common carp (Cyprinuscarpio), silver carp (Hypopthalmichthysmolitrix) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella) as the candidate species for mixed culture. Among carp, common carp is the only species which can be cultured in mono and polyculture system. Two strains of common carp were introduced to India, former the German strain (1939) and latter on Bangkok strain (1957). However, inbreeding and stunted fish resulted into poor growth and early sexual maturation. It emerged serious concern of culturing these strains especially in mid Himalayan regions. Keeping in view, DCFR imported improved Hungarian strains of Common carp, "Ropsha scaly" and "Felsosomogy mirror carp" at the Experimental Fish Farm, Chhirapani, Champawat, where these strains were raised, bred and assessed to perform over existed strains, both in polyculture system as well as in monoculture.
Both the imported strains of common carp, "Ropsha scaly" and "Felsosomogy mirror carp" were assessed both at farm condition and also in field conditions and were found to perform significantly better than the existing stock for growth, survival, body appearance, maturity, breeding and slaughter value. Both the strains performed well in coldwater condition at the thermal regime of 5.0-24.0oC. F1 progeny performed better than the parental stock, which could be due to better acclimatization. Growth and survival was observed highest during the second year. Stunted yearlings was found to be a better option of stocking material in mid altitudinal region for higher yield in coldwater aquaculture practice. The body shape of the imported stains is slender with more slaughter value. Growth of imported Felsosomogy mirror carp was found slightly higher than the Ropsha scaly. Improved strains attained sexual maturity at the age of 24 months and were quite suitable for successful breeding, better fecundity, healthy spawn and better growth & survival of fry in coldwater conditions and climate of hill states. Culture of improved strains is acceptable, profitable and supports better productivity of the sector. The farm fish, if escaped fish have not been found to have any negative impact on wild stock after genetic interaction rather, hybridization will support the better productivity through 32.5% increased growth. These strains are suitable for the culture in mid altitudinal region of Uttarakhand state, Himachal Pradesh, J & K and NE region. For easy seed availability and further expansion of common carp culture under polyculture or monoculture, seed banking programme of these strains was started in collaboration of State Fisheries departments at 4 different geographical locations i.e Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Uttarakhand& Sikkim. This successful endeavour would provide benefits to hills farmers by boosting the aquaculture production in mid altitudes of Himalayan region.
Multi-tier integrated fish farming model for livelihood support in mid hills
Champawat is one of disadvantaged district of Uttarakhand due to extreme climate, undulating terrains and shallow soil depth with gravels. Agriculture development has its own limits such as non-availability of the flat land and infrastructure facilities. Due to lack of employment opportunity, the young population migrates to plain areas for earning their livelihood. The multi-tier model of integrated fish culture was developed by ICAR-DCFR using polytank led under NAIP project. The ponds were stocked with Chinese carps and common carp and were fed with rice polish and mustard oil cake @ 3% of body weight. The significant production of0.7 kg/m3 of water volume was achieved, which is higher than earthen ponds. The reason of the higher production is the advantage of increasing water temperature and decreased diurnal fluctuation of water temperature. This model was demonstrated to the three clusters such as Dharauj, Mudyani and Makot under NAIP programme covering 36 families of small & marginal farmers.The same model was demonstrated to 42 farmers of Doonagiri area, a remote place in district Almora under AICRP on APA programme.
This model has scope to intensify carp culture in the mid hills for increasing the productivity of the land that can help in ensuring nutritional and livelihood security in the hills which ultimately, would decrease the pressure on the metropolitan cities since this would check the migration from hills to plains.
Kosi river, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Sariyatal Lake, Uttarakhand
Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand
Naukuchiatal Lake, Uttarakhand
Baijnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Mehao Lake, Arunachal Pradesh
4. A Success Story of Farmer: Sustainable approach for livelihood with fish farming in hills
Sh. Lakshman Singh Mehar S/o Sh. Kesar Singh Mehar born on 1st January 1972 in a farmer family at kathar, distt. Champawat, Uttarakhand state carrying the responsibility of a family of 8 members started fish farming in 1 ha parental farming land near a stream. Through technical support and advisory of ICAR-DCFR, he developed integrated fish farming which helped him in getting more income within the available limited resources. He developed about 15 nali (1 nali equal to 200m2) land as orchard for the Tejpat and Malta plants and also used the orchard area for the fodder production to meet out the requirement of the green fodder to the milching animals. He developed about 12 naliarea for the seasonal vegetable production and taking the production of Tomato, cabbage, capsicum, coriander and radish. He always tried to get early crop of the vegetable to get fair market price. Water scarcity has been a problem as usually occurs in hill and many times there prevails draught like condition during the summer months, which limits the production cycle of the horticulture practice and badly affects the orchard's plants. Hecreated 4 earthen ponds and 2 cemented ponds primarily for the collection of rain water and also for developing fishery. The stored water of these ponds is now used for practicing polyculture of silver carp, grass carp and common carp in these ponds and getting 420 kg fish from 600m2 pond area in 12 months.The excess water of the pond is used for the irrigation purpose particularly during the summer months. He always stocked 3-4 fish per m2 in the pond and provides green fodder to the growing grass carp prior to 1 hr to the feeding of the other fish. grass carp does not participate for the supplementary fish feed given to other fishes rather whole quantity of given supplementary feed is used by the other variety of fish stocked in the pond. This practice was found very useful to minimise the feeding cost for the growing fish. He also integrated fish ponds with poultry containing birds of the boiler and coiler variety. The excreta of the poultry is recycled in the ponds which ultimately acted as manure and enhanced the plankton production, the natural fish food inside the pond water. After obtaining regular two crops of the fish from each pond he completely drained and desilted the ponds. The bottom soil of the pond which remained rich in the organic matter was used for the vegetable plots and fruits plants. He never used any chemicals and fertilizer for vegetable production. Therefore, produced vegetables remain completely organic and marketed at higher rate. The farmer received training and farm advisories from the Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal for the fish farming and other agriculture practices. He also shared his experience with others farmers of his village. He is residing at very remote place and electric supply is the problem in this area, therefore, he uses solar light in his house and also in poultry cages. He used to sale his produce in the local market of Champawat which is 12 kms far from his house.
The success story of Sh. Lakshman Singh Mehar is a lesson for adoption to the other farmers in hills for better income and better livelihood.
Income from different sources during:
Component
Production
Expenditure
Income
Net profit
Orchard
Tejpat/malta
Rs.15000
Rs.120000
Rs.105000
Vegetables
Tomato, cabbage, capsicum, coriander, lady finger and radish
Rs. 5000
Rs. 55000
Rs. 50000
Poultry
Meat and Eggs
Rs. 6000
Rs. 52000
Rs.46000
Fish
420 kg
Rs. 4500
Rs. 75600
Rs.71100
Milk
Cow milk
Rs. 2000
Rs. 30000
Rs. 28000
Total- Rs. 3,00100/-
5. Integrated farming in mid hills: A success story
Sh. Rajendra Singh Kaida S/o Sh. Diwan Singh Kaida a resident of Village-Todera, District-Almora, Uttarakhand State owns only 2 acre parental land for the agriculture purpose where he practiced rain-fed agriculture thereby earning very little income. Being trained and supported by the ICAR-DCFR, he established a polytank (Pond lined with Silpaulin) of the size of 100m2 during 2009. He collected rain water and percolated water of hill in this pond. Pond was used for polyculture of exotic carp, silver car, grass carp and common carp. While the stored water was also used to irrigate vegetables in poly house through drip irrigation system.He is producing radish, coriander, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower etc. He takes 2 crops of radish during the period of May to October and used pond water for irrigation. He also produces the seed of the radish and sale to the other farmers. He stocks advanced carp fingerlings during the month of March in the pond and produces 70-90 kg fish from the pond of 100 m2 area. Green foliage and grass from the plots is used to feed the grass carp fish. Water temperature in the polylined pond remained higher than the ambient temperature and resulted in better fish production. This polythene lining also controlled the seepage of stored water. Now, he has 5 polytanks and earning more than 6 lakh rupees per year from his integrated agriculture practice. Previously, his income was limited only Rs. 1 lakh/year. He motivated other 42 farmers of the area for adoption of this practice. Presently, this area has become a cluster of this type of farming having polytanks, polyhouse, fish farming, vegetable cultivation and seed production of radish (DoonagiriMuli).
Mr. Rajendra Singh Kaida was technically supported by DCFR, Bhimtal. He is a model farmer having integrated approach for agriculture, and a lesson to other farmers to adopt this innovative approach for small and marginal farmers of mid altitudinal hills.
Income from 200m2 vegetable plot and 100 m2 fish pond.
6. Integration of rainbow trout farming with cardamom cultivation: a success story for doubling the farmers' income in Sikkim state
Cardamom is the common crop in hilly terrain of the Sikkim state. Generally, 140 kg cardamom can be produced from the plot area of 0.4 ha. The sale price in the local market is Rs. 800/kg. The average earning of the farmers from cardamom cultivation is Rs. 52000/- from plot area of 0.4 ha. An intervention was made for improving the farmers' income with integration of rainbow trout farming with cardamom cultivation.This is a practice for multiple use of water and better production of trout and cardamom in the higher altitudinal areas in hills. Trout raceway (RCC) is constructed with an area of 30m2 and nutrient rich drain out water from trout raceway is used for irrigation of cardamom crop of 0.4 ha. area. There is 30% increasing yield of cardamom with this integration due to nutrient rich irrigation water.Farmer gets additional income of Rs. 3,60000/- from the sale of 600 kg rainbow trout. The net income with this integration is to the tune of Rs. 2,14000/- from the plot area of 0.4 ha in 12 months. This is a success story for getting multi-fold income by the farmers of West Sikkim district. Farmers of the Sribadam area also experienced that the size of the fruits remain comparatively larger with this integration and due to the better tillring, more numbers of nursery saplings may be achieved.
Sh. Lakshman Singh Mehar S/o Sh. Kesar Singh Mehar born on 1st January 1972 in a farmer family at kathar, distt. Champawat, Uttarakhand state carrying the responsibility of a family of 8 members started fish farming in 1 ha parental farming land near a stream. Through technical support and advisory of ICAR-DCFR, he developed integrated fish farming which helped him in getting more income within the available limited resources. He developed about 15 nali (1 nali equal to 200m2) land as orchard for the Tejpat and Malta plants and also used the orchard area for the fodder production to meet out the requirement of the green fodder to the milching animals. He developed about 12 naliarea for the seasonal vegetable production and taking the production of Tomato, cabbage, capsicum, coriander and radish. He always tried to get early crop of the vegetable to get fair market price. Water scarcity has been a problem as usually occurs in hill and many times there prevails draught like condition during the summer months, which limits the production cycle of the horticulture practice and badly affects the orchard's plants. Hecreated 4 earthen ponds and 2 cemented ponds primarily for the collection of rain water and also for developing fishery. The stored water of these ponds is now used for practicing polyculture of silver carp, grass carp and common carp in these ponds and getting 420 kg fish from 600m2 pond area in 12 months.The excess water of the pond is used for the irrigation purpose particularly during the summer months. He always stocked 3-4 fish per m2 in the pond and provides green fodder to the growing grass carp prior to 1 hr to the feeding of the other fish. grass carp does not participate for the supplementary fish feed given to other fishes rather whole quantity of given supplementary feed is used by the other variety of fish stocked in the pond. This practice was found very useful to minimise the feeding cost for the growing fish. He also integrated fish ponds with poultry containing birds of the boiler and coiler variety. The excreta of the poultry is recycled in the ponds which ultimately acted as manure and enhanced the plankton production, the natural fish food inside the pond water. After obtaining regular two crops of the fish from each pond he completely drained and desilted the ponds. The bottom soil of the pond which remained rich in the organic matter was used for the vegetable plots and fruits plants. He never used any chemicals and fertilizer for vegetable production. Therefore, produced vegetables remain completely organic and marketed at higher rate. The farmer received training and farm advisories from the Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal for the fish farming and other agriculture practices. He also shared his experience with others farmers of his village. He is residing at very remote place and electric supply is the problem in this area, therefore, he uses solar light in his house and also in poultry cages. He used to sale his produce in the local market of Champawat which is 12 kms far from his house.
Sh. Rajendra Singh Kaida S/o Sh. Diwan Singh Kaida a resident of Village-Todera, District-Almora, Uttarakhand State owns only 2 acre parental land for the agriculture purpose where he practiced rain-fed agriculture thereby earning very little income. Being trained and supported by the ICAR-DCFR, he established a polytank (Pond lined with Silpaulin) of the size of 100m2 during 2009. He collected rain water and percolated water of hill in this pond. Pond was used for polyculture of exotic carp, silver car, grass carp and common carp. While the stored water was also used to irrigate vegetables in poly house through drip irrigation system.He is producing radish, coriander, carrot, cabbage and cauliflower etc. He takes 2 crops of radish during the period of May to October and used pond water for irrigation. He also produces the seed of the radish and sale to the other farmers. He stocks advanced carp fingerlings during the month of March in the pond and produces 70-90 kg fish from the pond of 100 m2 area. Green foliage and grass from the plots is used to feed the grass carp fish. Water temperature in the polylined pond remained higher than the ambient temperature and resulted in better fish production. This polythene lining also controlled the seepage of stored water. Now, he has 5 polytanks and earning more than 6 lakh rupees per year from his integrated agriculture practice. Previously, his income was limited only Rs. 1 lakh/year. He motivated other 42 farmers of the area for adoption of this practice. Presently, this area has become a cluster of this type of farming having polytanks, polyhouse, fish farming, vegetable cultivation and seed production of radish (DoonagiriMuli).
