Goemkapronn desk
CANACONA: Even as we talk about loss of jobs, businesses and livelihood due to the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic around the world, Magnus Pereira, a resident of Mashem in Canacona has shown the way by adopting to new technology of rearing fish called Bbiofloc farming and has tasted success and is well into harvesting second batch of shrimps.
Pereira is not a novice to fish farming and has tons of experience rearing shrimps which is their traditional business in a pond on the banks of the Galgibagha river.
Speaking to Goemkarponn Pereira, who has come for good, leaving his well-paid job in a managerial position on the ship and later in Australia, says that the pond farming his family undertook is risky, labour intensive and expensive business.
It is expensive because it needs a lot of recurring investment and risky because of otuses that predate on the small fishes that are abundant in the adjoining river and encroach into the ponds. If they are not driven out in time, they eat all the fish in the pond.
“I was looking for ideas to overcome all these, and one fine day I chanced upon the information on biofloc farming technology, and then it was no looking back inspite of all the obstacles that between me and the project” Pereira informed.
“To be safe on investing lakhs of rupees, I backed myself before jumping into these with training in Thailand and after that in Pune. Today after seven months after I went into production, I am satisfied with the yield and the returns on my investment, he says with a broad smile on his face.
The government is talking about doubling farmers’ income, and technologies like these can fulfil the dreams of farmers all over India to improve their income,” he added.
When asked what obstacles he faced while implementing Biofloc farming, he added that since this is relatively a new concept in India, there are not many training options available. He had to undergo training in Thailand and Pune; the internet came very handily as he emphasised many videos of the technology shared on YouTube.
Informing further, he said that by applying the biofloc technology, farmers can raise fish in artificial tanks with high densities in an area of between 150 to 200 square meters.
The Biofloc technology can produce 2,000 kilograms of fish from four small tanks on an area of up to 150 square meters in a short duration of 3 to four months, while the traditional pond farming system needs an area of 4,000 square meters to produce a similar output in six months, according to Pereira.
On a smaller scale, the biofloc-based tanks can be installed on terraces of buildings and backyards to supply live or fresh fish to customers nearby.
When asked if the Fisheries Department extends any support in the form of training, guidance and financial subsidy, he informed that they come for training at his unit, and the grant is not released as they say that they don’t have funds, even though the file was submitted 7 months back.
He informed that he has installed five tanks in the first phase and already harvested Barramundi fish, sold for a premium of 500 rupees a kg.
“Than I went for shrimps, and the shrimps are ready to harvest in less than four months”, he added.
The entire system, which consists of tanks, blower, generator, solar power, backup batteries, shade nets, and other miscellaneous material, has cost 25 lakh Pereira informed.
“The fish or the shrimps that I harvest are live, farm-fresh, organic and without any chemicals, and customers are lining up to buy every day as they know that they are buying healthy food and not adulterated with any chemicals and above all its environment friendly Pereira informed with pride.
