INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KADAPA: Farmers of Kadapa district are not only focusing on agriculture but fish farming as well
Already, many farmers in Porumamilla, Jammalamadugu and Chapadu mandals are operating fish ponds
Many more have applied for constructing new ponds.Officially, there are 130 acres of fish ponds in the Chapadu mandal, 80 acres in
Porumamilla and 15 acres in Jammalamadugu mandal
It is agriculture lands that have been converted into fish ponds
Aqua farmers had suffered severe losses due to lack of transport and sales during lockdown because of Coronavirus. But the situation has
changed now with the state government recently amending aquaculture regulations and simplifying them for providing assistance to farmers
It has also taken steps to promote fish farming by appointing special committees at the state, district and mandal levels
This has led to many farmers turning to fish farming.Karnati Narayana Reddy, a farmer from Kuchupapa village of Chapadu mandal, said he has
converted 30 acres into fish ponds and has applied for ponds over another 18 acres
He said they buy fish seedlings from farmers of East Godavari or Nellore districts
Each seedling weighs about 8–10 grams
These grow quickly and are ready for harvest in 4–5 months
Narayana Reddy said he has spent about Rs
1 crore on digging ponds and other works and has already sold fish worth Rs
50 lakh is ready for harvest
He said there is no problem with water as his ponds are near the Kundu River. Fisheries farm technician Vasudeva Raju said a well-watered
and well-maintained fish farm is always profitable
Selection of feed for fish is very important
He said health of fish should be carefully monitored and necessary medicines given in case of any suspicion
Quality of water too should be monitored regularly
The effort is worth it as fish farming provides more profits than all other food grain crops.Kadapa District Fisheries Department deputy
director Avva Nagaraju told Deccan Chronicle that as water supply in the district is now good and almost all reservoirs are full, many
farmers are shifting to fish farming, with government too providing incentives. He said collector Chevuri Harikiran wants to give a further
fillip to fish farming in Kadapa district
New permits for fish farms will be issued in a few days and even seedlings will be available from fish hatcheries in Kadapa
Those interested may visit the office of Fisheries Department, Nagaraju added.
