Freshwater Aquaculture in Kandhamal District - Prospects and Potentials

Abstract

Kandhamal district has an excellent potential for freshwater fish production. There are 1035 water bodies in the District, including G.P., private, and M.I.P. tanks, which cover an area of 649 .46 ha. The main fish species cultured in the district are I.M.C. (Rohu, Catla, Mrigal). The present article also provides block-wise production data for the Kandhamal district. In 2021, the District achieved the highest production of 1651.33 metric tonnes from 12 blocks. Khajuripda block had the highest production at 660.01 metric tonnes. Fish farmers in the Kandhamal district need more water bodies and departmental staff, insufficient training and awareness facilities, and a lack of fisheries inputs and marketing facilities. As fishery is such a small sector in Kandhamal, there is a pressing need to address all issues and make the most of all fish farming opportunities to increase fish production. This way, the district will eventually be able to meet its fish demand and export the product to other states and even outside the country.