Field visit to integrated multi-species fish and aquaculture farm, Tallur, Kundapura

    A field visit was organised to the integrated multi-species fish and aquaculture farm (2 acres) at Tallur, Coastal Karnataka on 21 September 2024. The owner of the farm, Shri. Ramesh Poojari renovated two earthen ponds with lining and practicing multispecies fish culture including seabass, pearlspot, mullets and tilapia under the guidance of fisheries scientists from ICAR-CCARI. His farm is located near Panchagangavali estuary in coastal Karnataka. He has initiated polyculture of seabass with small brackishwater species such as glassfish, mullets, tilapia and pearlspot. The farm also holds a facility for maintenance and supply of fish seeds of pearlspot to interested farmers. The farm has about an acre of land area where coconut, and paddy are grown. A small dairy unit of two cows is also maintained within the farm. The poultry unit of the farm consists of 40 Asil birds. The farmer was advised 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. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI assured all scientific and technical support to the farmer to develop the farm as a model integrated farm cum agro-eco-tourism unit for the coastal India.