Vet varsity promotes ornamental fish in Punjab

Punjab News Express
LUDHIANA: Ornamental fish farming in Punjab is emerging as an upcoming entrepreneurial activity, these views were expressed by Dr. Asha Dhawan, Dean College of Fisheries. She said that to cater the increasing demand for ornamental fishes, the College is working for the last eight years in this field.

After undertaking various research trials, the culture and breeding technologies for some of the economically important ornamental fish species has been standardized under climatic conditions of the State. She also informed that, the College has well established indoor and outdoor ornamental units for research, trainings and demonstrations. Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur and Dr. Sachin Onkar Khiarnar of Department of Aquaculture has developed a small scale backyard culture and breeding model in 1000 ft2 area, with an average earning of Rs. 8000-9000 per month for demonstration purpose. Through regular training programmes, awareness and skill development for ornamental fisheries is being developed in the farming as well as non-farming communities including rural household women, youth, hobbyists and traders as well. The College is also actively involved in producing and selling ornamental fish to hobbyists, public places like gurdwaras, temples etc. in the State.

Dr. Dhawan said that at this time Global ornamental fish trade, worth Rs. 2000 crores with an average annual growth rate of 14 %, is contributing significantly to rural development, through livelihood generation, in many developing countries, including India. Indian ornamental fish market is worth Rs. 50 crores, with 0.32% contribution to global ornamental fish trade. Indian waters possess rich diversity of exotic and indigenous ornamental fishes, but the trade is concentrated in and around metro cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. However, in the recent past, interest in ornamental fish is growing in many states, including Punjab.

According to Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Head, Department of Aquaculture, there is substantial scope in the ornamental fish sector for socio-economic development through self-employment generation especially for the women, because it does not require elaborative management and can be easily taken up depending upon the resource availability in the form of space and money. She further stated that the allied activities associated with the sector, like aquarium fabrication, supply and maintenance services can also be taken up very easily as a remunerative enterprise. Hobbyists, entrepreneurs, women, who are interested to take up ornamental fisheries as an small scale or large scale enterprise, can attend the training programs at College of Fisheries, GADVASU, after submitting an application on prescribed format in the College and can also contact on the official phone number 0161 2414061 for any kind of information and assistance.