Development of shrimp farming in India has experienced remarkable growth and advancement in the last few years. From traditional filtration of mixed varieties

of prawns and fishes in seasonal and perennial fields in rural areas, the shrimp culture practice has evolved into semi-intensive/ intensive culture of single species

in man made environment

Srinath, Krishna

CMFRI Digital Repository

AI)OPTION OF SHRIMP CULTURE PRACTICES BY FARMERS Ms. Krishna Srinath Senior Scientist, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin Introduction Development of shrimp farming in India has experienced remarkable growth and advance-ment in the last few years. From traditional filtration of mixed vari-eties of prawns and fishes in sea-sonal and perennial fields in rural areas, the shrimp culture practice has evolved into semi-intensive/ intensive culture of single species in man made environment. Much of the progress is attributed to the advances in seed production and nutrition and efforts in technology transfer by R&D agencies. At the corporate level the efforts have been for intensifying production for direct export. At the small scale level it is a source of primary income and the farmers' decisions pertain to minimising the produc-tion cost and the risk element. In order to understand the extent of use of different practices recom-mended under scientific shrimp farming a study was conducted among the shrimp farmers in Ernakulam district and the find-ings are reported here. Methodology A survey was conducted among a sample of 80 prawn farmers located in Kannamali-Chellanam and Vypin regions in Ernakualm District farming in 2 acres and below using an interview schedule incorporating a frequency rating scale for each of the recom-mended practice in scientific shrimp farming. The extent of adoption of each practice and the constraints involved were assessed. The survey was conducted in 1994-95 with reference to previous five years. Findings The feed back on the tech-nology transfer on prawn farming reveals that the improved farming technique could create positive impact on the socio-economic con-ditions of the farmers through gain in knowledge, increased produc-tion and favourable attitudes (Srinath, 1986, Srinath, 1987 and Krishivigyan Kendra, 1994). The technology adoption in the small scale rural sector is found to be low and beset with several constraints. Rogers (1982) classified adopters of technologies based on the time frame within which an innovation is put into practice from the time of its re-lease. Only two per cent of farm-ers adopt the technology as soon as they realise its benefits. Simi lar trend is quite evident in the case of shrimp farming as indicated in the above studies of CMFRI. This is brought about by the complexity of farming system characterised by different production activities and factors influencing farming decisions. In the case of shrimp farming the level of adoption of recommended practices is found to be very low particularly in areas where the traditional filtration is practiced from ancient times as in the case of Vypeenkara compared to the Kandakkadavu-Chellanam region in Cochin. The traditional filtration is perceived to be envi-ronment and socio-culture friendly with low investment and periodi-cal income. The element of risk is considered to be high in selective stocking because of the investment in seed and feed. Wild seed is preferred by small scale farmers due to the low cost, sturdiness and facility of on-farm delivery. Pref-erence for hatchery seed is limited by its higher cost, transport, diffi-culties in acclimatisation, system of advance booking, difficulty in getting the required quantity at desired time and presently the fear of disease. Hence the practice of . supplementary stocking scores over selective stocking among small farmers. In the meantime the tendency of over as well as lower stocking was also found among them. Lack of ability to identify the P. monodon and P. indicus seed, difficulty in counting them and giving allowance for mortality affected the stocking rates. Field preparation prior to farming is paid very little attention. Eradication is another rec-ommended practice about which r-------------------------------~--, COMPLETED 30 YEARS IN SEAFOOD PROCESSING AND EXPORT FROM INDIA ALL V ARlETIES OF SEAFOOD CANNED, FROZEN, INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN ETC. UNDER THE SAME BRAND NAMES FOR 30 YEARS "ROSS" & MAHARAJA" "CONTINUOUSLY" IN SEAFOOD PROCESSING AND EXPORT BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS WE KNOW WHAT WE PACK AND EXPORT AND WE KNOW WHAT OUR CUSTOMER ABROAD WANTS ALSO. FOR ESTABLISHED QUALITY PRODUCTS PLEASE CONTACT MIs. CHEMMEENS (Regd.) (Established in 1966) Cochin - 682 005, Kerala, India, Phone Fax Telex Cable 226549, 230924, 227257 91-484-228103 0885-7020 MEEN IN ROSEBUNCH-COCHIN L __________________________________ ~ DARRAGH SMAIL & CO. (I) PVT. LTD. Post Box No. 522, Willingdon Island Cochin - 682 003. Agents for NED LLOYD LINES, ROTTERDAM Also LICENSED CUSTOMS HOUSE AGENTS Phone Telex Grams : 667461,667462,668263,666329 : 8856227 DARA IN : "NEDDAEEAGH" farmers do not have much convic-tion. Ammonia application has its own practical difficulties due to its cost, lack of infrastructure and fear of use of chemicals. The farmers, in certain areas, view eradication as a superfluous practice as they would not like to loose other vari-eties of fish which may naturally occur in the field. Moreover they feel that it is often not possible to completely eradicate the fields due to burrowing nature of certain predators. The practice of supple-mentary feeding as followed at present by small farmers is not based on any rationale in the quan-tity and method of feeding. The tendency to mimic intensive farm-ing resulted in stress and prema-ture harvest. Only about 20-30% survi val is generall y reported through the culture period in the fields following supplementary stocking and feeding practices. In the absence of facilities for soil and water quality testing and moni-toring disease farmers very rarely get technical advice in this regard. The stock is often harvested by farmer in small quantities, when they require the money, even be-fore the completion of the culture period, in small quantities when they urgently need money. As the major supply of credit is from non formal sources such as traders the farmers are forced to sell the com-modity to them at a low price. Prerequisites such as lease agree-ment, collateral security and no-encumberance certificate posed constraints in availing institution credit and subsidy. The system of Table 1. Shrimp farming practices followed by farmers Recommended practice Frequency of use (% farmers) Regular Frequent Occasional Tried and Never gtven up Preparation of field I. SLIengthening the bund 2. Deepening the pond 3. Draining the lield 4. Ploughing 5. Drying 6. Removal of stubble and weed 7. Soil treatment 8. Use of velan screen II Eradication 10 10 10 2 2 50 20 70 1. Use of Mahua 12 2. Use of Ammonia 3. Other method 5 1II Manuring I. Organic 2 2. Chemical 8 IV Stocking I. Selective 20 2. Supplementary 80 3. Hatchery seed 4 4. Wild seed 86 5. Hatchery and wild 10 6. Recommended stocking rate 4 7. Acclimatization 6 8. Use of happa 3 9. Nursery raring 2 V Supplimentary feeding I. Fonnulated feed 2 2. Local feed 92 3. Formulated and local reed 6 4. Recommended feeding rate VI Water quali ty monitoring VII Harvest after prescribed period 25 paying the labour in kind for har-vesting is unfavourable to the farm-ers . Table 1 gives an idea about the extent of adoption of recom-mended practices and Table 2 gives the major constraints therein. 20 20 26 20 12 16 70 70 30 2 4 6 4 6 4 6 25 2 4 In spite of the modem advances the main cause of con-cern has been the implementation of faulty practices leading to ma-terial and environmental resource degradation. Over use of practices Table 2. Constraints related to adoption Constraint Very major Major Minor Rank I. Cost of farming 2. Lack of technical knowledge 3. Finance 4. Risk due to mortality 5. Others in the intensive systems and low level of adoption and trial and error approach In the extensive systems are the major problems which are to be solved by adapta-tion of the technology to the spe-cific needs. In an effort to translate to the low-input extensive farming systems the capital based semi-intensive/intensive methods farm-ers end up in increased production costs and mismatching yields re-sulting from information gap and lack of participation. Agricultural production according to Johnson 80 20 - I 80 20 - I 80 15 - II 60 36 4 III 60 - - IV and Kellog (1984) takes place within a complex farming system that has evolved over a number of years based on experience and reasoning of the traditional farm-ers within their physical, economi-cal, social and cultural environ-ment. The technology develop-ment and transfer acti vities must deal with these differences to be effective. References Folke Carl and Kautsky Nils 1992 Aquaculture with its environment Ee;t Q::npJ.irrmts fr om prospects for sustainability. Ocean and Coastal Management 17(1): 5-24 Johnson, S.H. and Keliog, E. D, 1984 Extension's role in adapting and evaluating new technology for fanners, Agricultural Extcnsion-A Reference Manual, FAO Krishi Vigyan Kendra, 1994 Major Achievements (December 1976 -March 1994 Mimeograph Rogers E.M., 1982, Diffusion oflnno-vations, Free Press, New York Srinath Krishna, 1986, Scientific Prawn Farming - A study on the attitude and awareness of fish farm-ers, Ind. J. Extn. Edn. XXI Srinath Krishna, 1987, How KV K trained women utilise the new knowledge? Mar.Fish. Infor, Servo 74 RELISH FOODS Phone Office Res Valanjavazhi, Alleppey - 5 Kerala, India. Manufacturers and Exporters of "Apsara" brand products Exports fresh frozen shrimps, squids, cuttlefishes, squid tubes, squid rings, whole cleaned squids etc. Ambalapuzha 2029,2229 2059 Cable Telex "RELISH" Alleppey (0883) 278 RF IN 

Adoption of shrimp culture practices by farmers

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Adoption of shrimp culture practices by farmers

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