The rising demand of biofloc fish farming

by Anika Dixit Blogger

Fish, a high-protein, mineral, and nutrient-dense food, is a staple in the diets of Indians residing in various parts of the country. The main sources of fish supply are aquaculture and captured fisheries. India is a big contributor to aquaculture production and one of the leading countries. In the fisheries business, high production and long-term sustainability are critical. Price, water pollution, and disease outbreak prevention are just a few of the issues that must be addressed.

Biofloc fish farming in India is one of the most effective ways available today for assisting fish farmers in achieving a variety of goals, including high output, cheap cost, sustainable growth, improved revenue opportunities, reduced land, and lower maintenance costs.

Fish Feed

Fish in traditional fish farming systems consume relatively little of the feed that is placed in the water for them. Toxic metabolites are formed as the waste feed degrades. It pollutes the water and has a negative impact on the environment due to the stink it emits. Fish farming would not be possible without feed. For the fish's growth and development, a consistent amount of feed is required every day. Feed is expensive to get, hence wasted feed is a loss for farmers.

Wasted feed, as well as fish excreta in the aquatic ecosystem, are transformed into feed for the fish in the Biofloc fish farming system. A biofloc is formed when microorganisms, fungi, algae, and other organisms work together to absorb inorganic waste and improve water quality. In this way, the problem of water contamination is solved. Furthermore, fish growers will be able to save money on feed.

Diseases

To replace dirty water with fresh water in open pond fish farming, expensive water exchange systems are used. Disease outbreaks caused by infections and harmful organics, as well as fish kills, would otherwise result in financial loss for farmers. Probiotics or microbes are employed in the biofloc method to boost particular immunity in shrimps and lower harmful germs. Furthermore, the use of a water exchange system and the associated operational expenditures are eliminated. As a result, Biofloc fish farming is both sustainable and productive. It is also environmentally beneficial and promotes the expansion of the fishing sector.

Scope of Biofloc fish farming in India

Several Indian states have begun to employ the biofloc method to increase fish/shrimp farming productivity, improve quality, and enable fish farmers profit more. The Odisha Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources recently stated that biofloc fish farming technology will be used to improve aquaculture in the state.

The biofloc system is an innovative method for producing fish in high-density artificial aquariums. It takes up a fraction of the space that traditional fish growing does. Experts say that a space of 150 to 200 square metres, together with enough water supply, is sufficient to produce 2000 kg of fish in four small tanks. Freshwater fish species such as tilapia, magur, anabas, carp, and pangasius can be easily raised.