Interaction with progressive fish farmer, Brahmavara, Coastal Karnataka

A field visit was organised to the multi-species fish and aquaculture farm at Brahmavara, Udupi coastal district, Karnataka on 6 October, 2024. The owner of the farm, Shri Mahesh Hebbar operates multispecies fish culture including Indian Major Carps, exotic carps, Rupchand, murrel, tilapia and small cyprinids. He is also carrying out the forage fish based seabass fish polyculture in freshwater pond with scientific guidance from ICAR-CCARI. The farmer also provide seeds of freshwater fish for fish farmers in the adjoining region. The farmer also grow coconut, arecanut, spices, fruits, vegetables and fodder. A dairy unit is also maintained within the farm. Dr Parveen Kumar, Director advised the farmer to incorporate goat farming in the farm to utilise the abundant weed and fodder resources in the farm area. He urged the farmer to upgrade the farm as a fish-based agro-eco-tourism unit and also to maintain it as a centre for training and demonstration for the interested farmers. Vegetable seeds were distributed to the farmer during the visit. Currently, the farmer is guided by Dr. Gokuldas PP, Dr. Sreekanth, and Shri Trivesh Mayekar scientific team of ICAR-CCARI, Goa and Dr Sadananda Acharya, Scientist (Fisheries), KVK, Brahmavara. The institute assured all scientific and technical support to the farmer to develop of the farm as a model unit for the coastal region of India.