Delta farmers switching over to fish culture from paddy cultivation
Deccan ChronicleNELLORE: Frequent losses in paddy cultivation and high labour costs are forcing farmers to offer their lands to fish culture in the delta areas -- where two to three crops are cultivated per annum without any hassle. While returns from paddy is around Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per acre per annum, the Pangasius or Roopchand variety of fish culture is fetching farmers Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000, though there are the issues of pollution. Asked about air pollution because of fish culture, fisheries joint director Nageswar Rao said, “We have formed committees to tackle this, with tahsildar as head, fisheries development officer as convener, and a motor vehicle inspector and the local sub inspector as members.” “The committees would conduct raids and take action against fishponds using mutton or chicken waste” he said, adding that the officials are also conducting awareness programmes for the farmers on this issue. Leader of the federation of farmers associations Koti Reddy appealed to paddy farmers to be mindful that their lands will be spoilt because of the fish culture and it would also create environmental issues.
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Many farmers taking up fish farming in Kadapa district
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