International Journal of Aquaculture, 2018, Vol.8, No.12, 90-97
95
Biswas et al. (2017) reported that 79% farmer provide supplementary feed @ 7.5% of the body weight up to 500 g
size of cultured carps and @ 4.6% of the body weight of 500-1,000 g size which was a clear deviation from the
recommended feeding rate of 4-6%. Again, in preparation of feed, several inputs have been incorporated by the
farmers altering the recommended composition with oil cake and rice bran (1:1 w/w). Most of the farmers
aimprovised the supplementary feed with the incorporation of either readily available carbohydrate source in the
form of dry bread or biscuit crumbs, ground nut oil cake, mustard oil cake, rice bran etc. (Mondal, 2014; Biswas
et al., 2017). With all these alterations, production levels of 5.17-5.58 tonnes/ha/yr were achieved against the
average national level of production of 2.3 tonnes/ha/yr.
4 Conclusion
Passing through the 50 years of introduction, composite fish farming in India has been transformed in many ways
so far the management practices are concerned. In most cases, such changes are based upon the experiences of the
practicing farmers driven by the continuously changing economic aspects of production and by the continuously
changing consumer demand in a growing economy.
Authors’ contributions
Banasree Biswas has surveyed and collected data regarding present status and alterations in the management practices of composite
fish farming in 24 Pgs. (N) district, West Bengal, India and participated in the preparation of manuscript. Prof. S. K. Das has
regularly monitored, guided and evaluated during the study and preparation of the manuscript as well. Ipsita Mondal has surveyed
and collected data regarding present status and alterations in the management practices of composite fish farming in East Burdwan
district, West Bengal, India. Dr. Amit Mandal contributed in compiling the data and preparation of the manuscript. All authors read
and approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgements
The first (BB) and the second author (IM) acknowledge the farmers for their generous help and cooperation during collection of data.
The logistic and administrative support from the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fishery Sciences, West Bengal University of
Animal and Fishery Sciences is gratefully acknowledged by all the authors.
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