Diversified fish farming for sustainable livelihood: A case-based study on small and marginal fish farmers in Cachar district of Assam, India

Freshwater aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India and has the potential for large scale employment. However, this sector is dominated by small and marginal fish farmers adopting traditional technologies resulting in low productivity and nominal impact on their livelihood. The suc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquaculture 2020-12, Vol.529, p.735569, Article 735569
Main Authors: Duarah, Jyoti Prabhat, Mall, Manmohan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carps
Economic analysis
Farming practice
Gudusia chapra
Species diversification
Sustainable livelihood
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Summary:Freshwater aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India and has the potential for large scale employment. However, this sector is dominated by small and marginal fish farmers adopting traditional technologies resulting in low productivity and nominal impact on their livelihood. The success of fish farming as a business depends mostly on its scientific culture practice and efficient farming strategy, which will assist not only in individual socio-economic development but also the economic growth of the country as a whole. Through a case-based research method an economic analysis has been made on species diversification strategy of fish farming. It is found that, by adopting an effective and most economical diversification strategy consisting of the culture of Gudusia chapra along with Carps in small-scale composite culture ponds will resulted in more than 100% return on investment. Therefore, the outcome of this research has propounded for a novel farming practice of small indigenous high valued species having negligible investment will enhance the income of fish farmers. •Strategically develop a portfolio of fish culture for earnings enhancement of small and marginal fish farmers.•Effective and most economical species diversification strategy consisting of Gudusia chapra and Carps in small-scale composite culture ponds will resulted in more than 100% return on investment.•Culture of small indigenous fish farming in Carp ponds is a distinctive attempt to enhance the income from fish farming by catering to the need of a particular niche market.
ISSN:0044-8486
1873-5622
DOI:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735569