Field visit and Interaction with fish farmers at Dramapur, Goa

    A field visit and interaction was organized at murrel fish farm at Dramapur in South Goa on 5 December 2024. Shri Melwin and Shri. Xavier currently operate the fish farm of murrel, Channa striata (stocking density of 5000) in lined pond of 1000 m². Shri Xavier mentioned that the feeding is currently based on formulated feed for a culture period of 8 months. The major challenge for the farming is the marketing of the murrel fish species in Goa. The fish fetches only 60-80 rupees per kg in Goa (for a harvest of 500 kg in the last month), whereas the same fish if marketed live to coastal Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it can yield Rs. 300-400 per kg. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM) from ICAR-CCARI interacted with the farmer and guided him for marketing of fish in live condition to Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. He also advised the farmer to explore the possibility of farming of high value species, Asian Seabass- Lates calcarifer with forage fish in polyculture system- a technology developed by the institute. The package of practices of the seabass fish polyculture was shared with the farmer. The farmers also maintain a rabbit unit of 30 animals and requested the guidance from the institute for further strengthening it. Dr Sreekanth appreciated the farmer for his dedicated efforts and assured scientific and technical support from the institute.