Training of Trainers - Library - Network of Aquaculture Centres in ...

shrimp farming is undertaken in the fallow paddy fields. The method of paddy cultivation and shrimp farming areconsidered to be almost organic in nature and this traditional method has been in practice for the past severaldecades. This method of cultivation has also spread to other neighbouring states like Goa and Karnataka. Whilethe intensive farming of shrimps in India faced several catastrophes, the cultivation of shrimp in Pokkali paddyfield, following the traditional methods remained unaffected.Zero tiger:The farmers in Thailand invented the culture of shrimp in fresh water. In the technique evolved in Thailand usingthe brine solution in the fresh water was adapted with a view to increase the salinity level to get the good growth.However, farmers in India explored the possibility of cultivating the tiger shrimp in completely fresh water bygradually acclimatizing the tiger shrimp seed to fresh water condition. This culture of shrimp in almost freshwaterenvironment spread to wide area. Even now there are farmers who are successfully culturing tiger shrimps withIndian major carps and obtaining good amount of profits. It is important to state here that the efforts of farmers inAndhra pradesh to culture tiger shrimp in fresh water with carps was started as early as in 1980’s. However, thescientific community ridiculed the efforts until such time when the culture of shrimp in low saline waters became amajor development in the developed world. As all the brackish water species have the ability to tolerate salinityfrom near freshwater condition to highly saline environment, efforts are now made to culture several of the finfishspecies in freshwater conditions.Enhancing the production of natural fish food:Farmers in Andhra Pradesh use mollusks with other carbon sources to increase the natural zooplanktonproduction in the pond. This enhanced production of natural food, particularly in the early phase helped toincrease the survival and the growth of shrimp. It is also believed that this mixture reduces pH of water, favouringgood growth of plankton with apt carbon – nitrogen ratio.Use of substrates to enhance periphyton productionShrimp are known to be active periphyton feeders. Enhancement of periphyton availability in the ecosystem wouldenhance the growth of fish. Substrate presence coupled with appropriate carbon-nitrogen balance in the water hasalways resulted in the increased food production and thereby growth of shrimp.SnakeheadsThe culture of snakeheads is wide spread in the Southeast Asian countries. However, breeding of these fish undercaptive conditions has not become successful in many countries. Hence pressure on the natural larvae producedcontinues. Some of the innovative farmers in Cambodia have accomplished good success in breeding of this airbreathing fish by simulating natural breeding environment.The farmers in Cambodia also prevent the occurrence of disease in snakehead by adopting some of the microbialpreparations that help to keep the pond environment clean. While several farmers are suffering from diseaseproblems, those who follow the use of microbial preparations are free from the disease.TilapiaIn tilapia, several innovations have been made by farmers in breeding, hatchery technology, feeding, cultureenvironment, post harvest management of the fish to retain the freshness, etc. Each of these farmer innovationshave led to the improvement in the tilapia culture technology and production levels.29