Field visit to multi-species fish and aquaculture farm, Brahmavara, Coastal Karnataka

    A field visit was organised to the multi-species fish and aquaculture farm (5 ha) at Brahmavara, Coastal Karnataka on 6^th July, 2024. The owner of the farm, Shri Mahesh Hebbar developed six earthen ponds and practicing multispecies fish culture including murrel, Indian Major Carps, exotic carps, pacu, tilapia and small cyprinids. With the scientific guidance from fisheries scientists of ICAR-CCARI, he has also recently initiated polyculture of seabass with tilapia, Indian Major Carps and small cyprinids. A total of 1,500 fingerlings of seabass were introduced into a pond of 0.6 ha, which already holds rich stock of tilapia, Indian Major Carps and small cyprinids. The farm also holds a facility for maintenance and supply of fish seeds to the interested farmers in Udupi and adjoining region. The farm has about on ha land area where coconut, arecanut, spices, fruits and vegetables are grown. A small dairy unit of four cows is also maintained within the farm. Currently, the farmer is guided by Dr. Sreekanth, Shri Trivesh Mayekar and Dr. Gokuldas PP, the scientific team of ICAR-CCARI, Goa. The scientific team of ICAR-CCARI urged the farmer to develop the farm as a fish-based agro-eco-tourism unit and also to maintain it as a centre for training and demonstration to the interested farmers of the region. ICAR-CCARI assured all scientific and technical support to the farmer to develop of the farm as a model unit for the coastal region of India.