Field day was organized at Mulki estuary and Ankola, Coastal Karnataka

 

ICAR-CCARI, Goa organized a field day cum monitoring of the farm activities in an integrated farm at Mulki, Mangaluru, Karnataka during 16-17 December, 2023. The meet and visit was organized during in an experimental farm in Mulki, where fish farming in cages and ponds, mussel-oyster-crab farming, and farming of aseel chicks and birds are practiced. The farm engages a total of 10 farmers and however, this demonstration farm serves as a model for about 500 farmers/fishermen in the coastal region. About 250 students/researchers visit the farm on annual basis. The details on aseel birds farming were collected and advisories and scientific guidance were provided. On field sampling of pond fish and water samples were carried out and tested using field test kits. The exchange advisories for pond water were provided. The mussel and cages were also inspected and also advisories were given. Night fishing experiments were carried out in Mulki estuary using gillnet, spears, hook and line and traps and a total 40 types of fish and shellfish species were documented. The possibility of procurement of seeds from the estuary using 1) a cage trapping system, 2) night fishing and also from the 3) local fishermen were discussed to reduce the shortage of seed supply. The possibility of trials of salt tolerant rice varieties of the institute in and around coastal saline areas were discussed and standard package of practices were provided. The farm has a great potential to develop as a agro-eco-tourism model in the coastal region, and the institute assured support in the development of the farm in that direction. In Ankola, the mussel and crab farming demonstration sites were visited and the advisories were provided for the operations. The field day was co-ordinated by Dr. Sreekanth G.B. (Senior Scientist (FRM)), Mr. Trivesh Mayekar (Scientist (FGB)) from ICAR-CCARI, Mr. Jeevan R Kotian, and Mr. Hemraj (progressive farmers of Mulki) and Dr. Shivkumar Haragi, Associate Professor, Dept. of Marine Biology, Karnatak University, Karwar.