The unscientific manner of practicing biofloc fish farming technology by many farmers may cause harm to their ventures, say experts from the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA).
“Lured by videos on YouTube, many farmers have invested in the biofloc fish farming technology and have burnt their fingers. The biofloc system is a compact one and even restaurants and residences can have it and grow their own prawns,” Kumaraguru Vasagam, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIBA told IANS.
He said the institute has been receiving news of farmers making losses due to non-implementation of this technology in a proper manner.
“Aquaculture farmers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and even in Delhi are using this technology,” Vasagam added.
According to ICAR-CIBA, biofloc technology is one of the better scientific solutions for fish farming for those who lack adequate water resources like ponds, rivers, and backwaters.
This technology made fish farming possible by setting up a water tank within the premises of every household, opening up a sea of opportunities for young entrepreneurs in aquaculture.
Vasagam said under this technology, the food, and fish waste in the tank is converted into nutrient feed and the water is also purified with useful bacteria. This farming technology is specially focused on the recently-launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for promotion across the country.
“People should give their mind and effort to understand the science behind this technology at first. Even narrow deviations from its protocols eying for immediate profits will only do harm to their farming ventures. It is a double-edged sword,” CIBA Director K.K. Vijayan said.
“This system requires greater control over the rearing system with a cautious effort to keep a range of components such as adequate carbon-nitrogen ratios, aeration, power back-up, microbes, and planktons, among many others, on a biological balance,” Vijayan said, adding that by keeping all this in a balanced mode, biofloc technology could be used as the most sought-after green technology for seafood production.
Meanwhile, ICAR-CIBA has transferred its technology ‘CIBAFLOC’, a ready-made inoculum (a mixture of beneficial bacteria for biofloc development) to Salem Microbes Pvt Ltd for commercial operations.
Being the first of its kind in the country, this product would make the biofloc practice more farmer-friendly and easier in adhering to the scientific principles, said C.P. Balasubramanian, Head of Crustacean Culture division of ICAR-CIBA. The ICAR-CIBA also organized a webinar on this technology recently.
