Punjab told to go for fish farming in water logged areas of Malwa

Chapparchiri (SAS Nagar)/Chandigarh, February 18, 2014: Various farm and fisheries experts today advocated for a big push inland saline aquaculture especially in the water logged areas of Malwa region.  
Dr. W. S. Lakra Director and Vice Chancellor Central Institute of Fisheries Education speaking on the opportunities and challenges in the sector said that Punjab with 1.09 million hectare of salt affected area has tremendous scope for inland aquaculture. He said that this land was unfit for sustainable agriculture crop besides surface-drainage system was uneconomic.  Dr. Lakra said that culture of Milk Fish was being promoted as it has tolerance to variable salinities. He said that we have been able to achieve 3750 kg. per hectare production per year. He also educated the culture of grey mullet with 1320 Kg/per hectare/4 month production. Dr. Lakra also focused on culture of giant freshwater prawn tiger shrimp, white shrimp, pacific white shrimp that were witnessing increase market share. He said that Punjab with 99000 tonns fish production and with highest fish productivity of 6560 Kg./per hectare, double than national average has ability to lead the nation.
Speaking on value added eggs, meat and fish products Dr. Jayathilakan Senior Scientist FREEZE Drying & Animal Products Technology Division Defence food research laboratory Mysore said that meat, fish and egg are an indispensable source of valueable macro & micro nutrients. He said that brics countries inclyding Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa account for more than 50% of world’s total population and represent most of the animal protein demand.  He said that the total meat production that was 3.6 million tonns in the country in 1992-93 has jumped to 6.7 million tonns in 2011-12 in which poultry has 37% share. He said that buffalo milk has considered as black gold and is set to cause pink revolution in India after green revolution in 1960s, white revolution in 1980s and blue revolution in 1990s.  Focusing on value addition of meat products, he said that India would focus on appropriate quality raw material, correct formulation, optimum processing, right packaging, storage stability, flavor & colour changes, nutritional value, labeling requirements and product specifications & regulations etc.  //punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,

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