Fish Farming In Pakistan

Fish farming

Sixty-six percent of Pakistan’s population is protein deficient. The per capita requirement of protein is 102.7 grams per day, available somewhere in the range of 69.71 grams. The main sources of animal protein are beef, mutton, poultry, eggs and fish. There is a shortage of food of animal origin. Per capita meat availability in Pakistan is 14.8 kg per year – far below the dietary standards recommended by international food organizations.

According to a joint team of FAO experts, protein intake in adults should not be less than one gram per kilogram of body weight. People from lower-income groups suffer from poor health and poor health. People’s diet and nutrition need attention to overcome this shortcoming. The development of livestock and poultry and fishermen is an important factor because its protein is considered the best for health. It helps in combating many diseases.

Fisheries play an important role in the livelihood of coastal residents. In addition to marine fish, inland rivers, lakes, ponds and dams are also good sources of animal protein.

Exports of fish and its products in July-March 2003-04 stood at 1,01,256 metric tonnes, valued at 7.9 billion. Total fish production is 6,30,000 metric tons, marine sector share is 4,52,000 and inland 1,78,000 metric tons. The number of people engaged in 2003-04 was 3,95,000 compared to 3,65,000 in 2002-04. Approximately 1,25,000 or 31.6 per cent are engaged in the marine zone, 2,70,000 68.4 per cent inland.

The area has great potential as a profitable business. The NWFP and the northern region of Punjab, where groundwater is fresh, play an important role in fisheries development. However, barren and saline areas can also be used for this purpose. There are species that can live in saltwater.

In South Punjab and Sindh, groundwater can bring saline areas into saline fish farms. It will improve the economic condition of the agrarian community by introducing large scale practices in the marginal/saline areas. It will create employment by attracting more people in rural areas.

Most fish farms are small, with two acres or less. Illiteracy is another obstacle to implementing modern production technology. Farmers mostly use tubewells to fill their fields using canal water.

According to the park, the average fish production is 15.4 mand per acre, and the selling price is Rs 2,215 per mand. Farmers who market their produce make the most profit by shrinking their ponds. The production of such a farm is Rs. 21,475, with a total revenue of Rs. 6,628, net profit Rs. 12,153. While this benefit is in saline areas, the margin in a good land and water conditions is Rs. 25,000, which is more profitable.

Farmers face problems in production and marketing. Profitability can be increased by providing incentives. They do not have many financial resources because they do not have credit facilities, especially those who rent the farm, as well as the high cost of digging the Pond and cash for water, seeds, and fodder. Requirements Credit on easy terms of availability. A major factor in promoting fish farming. There is a need to initiate a supervised loan program for the establishment of ponds. Interest rates may fall in the early stages of development. Government salt / barren land can be leased to fishermen at a lower rate.

Water is the main cost of production. Drain water and tube well water are very expensive. Can provide canal water to farmers or subsidize electricity to run tube wells to fill fish ponds, which will boost business.

Research and guidance are needed to accelerate development. Farmers usually use traditional fodder, such as farm manure, poultry, fodder, and uncooked bread. Only a small number of farmers use urea, DAP, nitro phosphate, SSP, ammonium sulfate, corn gluten, rice us, soil, lime powder, and gypsum, which are good for increasing fish populations. The venture is still in its infancy.

Quality seed is not available to the majority, especially small ones. The seed is of poor quality, resulting in a low growth, low weight, low yield, and low prices. There is no research on the development of fast-growing and high-yielding species. It is an important requirement to supply good quality seeds at affordable prices and at the right time. Small farmers find it very difficult to produce their own seeds, so there is a need to ensure quality seeds through standard length supply, genetically improved, and public hatchery.

An effective extension program acts as a bridge between research and field applications. There is a need to introduce a well-equipped expansion service program to eliminate farmers’ hesitation in starting a business and to introduce better production technology in existing farms. Qualified and well-trained staff can be hired to promote and provide guidelines. To make extension services more efficient, field staff can be mobile. Training programs can be conducted to spread technology to fish farmers.

Marketing problems are rare compared to other agricultural products. These are mostly related to small farmers. They get a lower price for their products because they have less market information, and commission agents exploit them. Many small farmers pay their produce to pre-harvest contractors at low prices.