GPO Box 3713, Kathmandu

Email: tarahimal@gmail.com

Nepal is one of the world’s most diverse, yet poorest, countries. Agriculture, subsistence small holdings form the bases of livelihood and backbone of the economy. Farmers and their communities have to develop culture and location specific perceptions of sustainable land and water use. There is enormous potential for rural aquaculture if it is integrated into existing farming systems. This can make significant contribution on producing more food, alleviating poverty and earning incomes. Because of their short generation time and large multiplication rate, fish can be quickly and efficiently bred to suit new conditions. Raising fish in freshwater ponds with a minimum of inputs help people to improve their livelihood, and supply protein needed for health and well-being while protecting environment. In a time of high-cost inputs, small fish farming with a good marketing system in a community cared environment is one of the best options both in plains and mountains where the fresh water resources available. Introducing rural pond fish farming and rice/fish farming systems can improve the economic and ecological sustainability of poorly resourced farms. Farm wastes such as weeds or grass could be used in place of costly fish feed and encourage farmers to fish farming. The fish farming helps rural poor shore up their food security situation. Education on participatory, socially acceptable, equitable, inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches helps establishing cooperative farming system model suitable to our systems. Strengthening the self-help capacity of farmers towards more sustainable landuse and improved livelihood by decreasing economic and environmental vulnerabilities can enhance the strategic integration of the management of farming systems and watershed ecosystems to assure the improved livelihood and sustainable development.

Fisheries Research Division, Godawari, Nepal

1Fisheries Development Center, Bhandara, Nepal

2Fisheries & Aquaculture Department of IAAS, Chitwan, Nepal

*Email: rayamajhiasha@hotmail.com

Fish health mobile camp was organized in June 2008 with the objective to identify and solve the farmers’ problems at the field. For the purpose a survey was undertaken in fish farming pocket area, Kathar Village Development Committee of Chitwan District. During the camp 30 women fishers were contacted, discussed on their day by day fish culture problems. Majority (96.7%) of farmers have adopted carp polyculture in semi intensive culture system. The major problems of fish farming were inadequate water supply particularly during June/July, predator and unavailability of proper size fish seed in the right time. Other problems were impact of pesticides runoff from agriculture on cultured fish, occasional oxygen depletion, insufficient feed supply, siltation, aquatic weed, poaching, seed mortality during transportation. The disease problems were not serious so far, but the twisted tail, ulcers, dropsy, tape worm in intestine and stunt growth problem were some of the common fish diseases. The annual average fish yield was estimated to be around 1548 kg/ha/y using seven carp. The fish farmers of Kathar were seems quite satisfied and happy with current fish yield as the practice contributing in their family livelihood. However, the average fish yield from the existing culture system was low.

Email: shaivax@gmail.com

Mahseer, and other fish populations are dwindling at an alarming rate in our rivers. No form of fish conservation is in place. There is no clarity on which government entity has the responsibility to conserve fish in our rivers and lakes despite the existence of the Aquatic Animal Protection Act (1961). Unlike the tiger and the rhino, no one cares about preserving something they never see, hence even the non-government conservation agencies have put aquatic animal conservation in the back seat. The 21st century has made battery packs, dynamite, and pesticides more easily accessible and local people have replaced their hooks and nets with these more effective devices. The demand for ‘Sahar Machha’ makes investing in the means to procure them more worthwhile. Sahar is still considered a prize delicacy so much so that large grass carp are being sold in Khichapokhari as Sahar to those who know no better. With the rise in populations along rivers, and rapid urbanization, uncontrolled excavation of sand and gravel has resulted in widespread destruction of spawning grounds. Even where mahseer are able to spawn, rampant use of pesticides and other chemical fertilizers, referred to locally as “aushadhi” is decimating every life form in our streams. Hydropower projects are also disrupting the routes of migratory fish and despite the acknowledgement of the problem and identification of remedial measures; no one is monitoring their actions.

A healthy fish population across Himalayan rivers has to be maintained. Active conservation from people whose lifestyle is dependant on riverine systems is essential. Better angling opportunities in the Nepalese rivers and thus, the development of a vibrant tourism industry have to be developed. It is suggested to advocate with the government and through conservation agencies, the enforcement of the Aquatic Animal Protection Act and build awareness in communities that inhabit core habitat areas. But, because awareness of the problem alone is of no consequence to those whose lives will be affected by the solution itself, ensure that we give these communities long-term, more economically viable and comfortable livelihood options. Restrict excavation of sand/gravel/rock to areas that do not affect the population of endangered aquatic species. Promote angling as a form of tourism in Nepal, which will provide the locals with the alternate employment opportunities and the incentive to conserve fish in our rivers and lakes.

Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

*Email: pkpanigrahi@agfe.iitkgp.ernet.in

Experiments were conducted in Aquacultural engineering division of IIT Kharagpur for determining optimum stocking density of carp and potential crop area that can be irrigated using nutrient rich aquacultural effluent. Nine numbers of ponds of average water spread area of 145 m2 each were stocked with Indian Major Carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) in 4:3:3 ratio with different stocking densities of STD-1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5 and 5 no’s /m2 for three years (2005-08).Water exchanged from for fish ponds were used for irrigating vegetable crops grown in 36 numbers of experimental plots of 30 m2 size each. To study the response of crop growth using the fish pond waste water enriched in nutrients, Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivar Myhco F-10 and Tomato (Lycopesicum esculentum L.) cultivar MHTM-256 were grown during kharif and rabi seasons respectively. Nitrogen was applied in full doses in control plots(C) and 90% (T1), 80% (T2) and 70% (T3) of recommended dose in treatment plots whereas phosphate and potash fertilizers were applied in full dose. The yield of fish ranged from 2.78 to 6.48 t/ha for different stocking densities. The average yield of tomato obtained from the three treatments and control plots varied between 63.8 to 66.7 t/ha, whereas the average yield of okra varied form 8.76 to 11.38 t/ha. Water exchange requirement varied from 70% to 600% per annum for different stocking densities. Crop area that can be irrigated using aquaculture effluent was found to increase from 3 times to 8 times water area with increase in stocking density from STD-2.0 to STD-5.Benefit cost Ratio (BCR) and net BCR of Integrated system was found to be satisfactory though it declined marginally with increase in stocking density. The comparison of different treatments under the integrated fish-vegetable cropping system showed significant increase in production due to higher stocking density of fish thereby increasing the profit margin.

Fisheries Research Centre PO Box 274, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal

1 Fisheries Research Division, Godawai, Lalitpur, Nepal

*E-mail: bista1956@yahoo.com

The indigenous minor carp are all those Cyprinids which do not generally grow larger than a foot even in their adult stage. Such small minor carps have been shown to contribute substantially on the livelihood of fishers especially in the season when bigger fishes are not captured adequately. Capture fisheries of indigenous carps in Lake Phewa and Begnas of Pokhara Valley showed that approximately 90% catches are composed of minor carps. These imply that minor carp contribute substantially in the total production and livelihood of fishers in Nepal. Except few cases minor carps were deprived of the conservation activities and are in crisis for their existence. It is recommended that conservation of minor carps highly desirable in the present contest of unconventional fishing pressure such as use of explosives, poison and electric current in the country. Efforts and measures should be taken to conserve gene pool of minor fishes in the country through networking Fisheries Extension, Education, Research and Development.

Fisheries Research Division, Godawari, lalitpur, Nepal

1Engineering Division, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

E-mail: pradhannita@yahoo.com

Hybrid solar dryer can be used to dry the food products either by the use of solar panel or fire woods. The hybrid solar dryer thus could be utilized anytime of the day and rainy season when sufficient solar radiation may not be available. Such dryer has not yet been evaluated for their performance practically for drying fish product. In the present study we evaluated the performance of the hybrid solar drier using fire wood to dry fish product To evaluate the performance, fresh rohu fish (Labeo rohita) of approximately 1.0 kg was obtained from local fish market and were dried using the hybrid solar dryer. The fish was cut into the small pieces approximately of the same size (~50 g each) and divided into three treatments: 2.5% salt mixed, 2.5% turmeric mixed, and control (without salt and turmeric). Five trays were used for drying and each tray consisted of all three treatments. During experiment, internal dryer temperature and weight of fish samples were monitored. The initial moisture in fish muscle was 76.0%.The final moisture content in all three treatments remained 6.8% after 72 hours of the drying period. Fish samples placed in the bottom tray dried faster compared to the middle and top tray probably due to more heat exchange from the combustion chamber in the bottom portion of the dryer. However, the final moisture content of fish samples placed on different trays in the hybrid solar dryer did not vary at the end of drying. The quality of dried fish was good as there was no contamination of dust and insect in this method.

National Animal Science and Research Institute, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

1Outreach division, NARC, Khumaltar, Nepal

2Fisheries Research Center, Trishuli, Nepal

*Email: kiran_raj_joshi@yahoo.com

Income generating opportunities and marketing potential through rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) farming is a recently introduced technology in Nepal which has potential role in the hills and mountains. This paper includes the output of trout farming in the hills of Nepal. The Objective of the study was to provide an assessment of opportunities for employment through private trout farming, production, marketing system, market demand, supply and commercial market. This study included literature review, key informant survey and marketing survey with private trout farmers from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts. Primary and secondary data were also collected from fisheries research sector of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). Out of forty three private trout entrepreneurs twenty two, six, four, three and one were from Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok and Makwanpur districts respectively. Besides, Fisheries Research of NARC has generated certain technologies on the basis of farmer’s problems related to trout farming. Fisheries Research Division, Godawari and Fisheries Research Station, Trishuli also conducted Breeding programmmes with active participation from Nuwakot (5), Rasuwa (2), Makwanpur (1), and Shindupalchok (2) respectively. Private sector hatcheries have the contributed of 70.0% whereas Fisheries Research sector have the contribution of 30%. Himalaya trout company, Kathmandu has been producing fingerlings of two months and had been selling for NRs 15.0/fingers as per the demand. It has created employment as well as income generating opportunities through hatching. Private trout entrepreneurs, fisheries research sector of NARC produced >24.0 mt of trout in 2007/08. Farm gate price and market price of trout are NRs.600.0 – 700.0/kg and NRs.800.0 – 1000.0/kg. The study suggested that flooding water resources could be used for trout farming in hills and mountains which helps to create employment and income generating opportunities. Beside that fisheries research of NARC has to conduct training effectively on breeding and hatching for private entrepreneurs.

Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM), Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

*Email: dkjha.ait@gmail.com

In the recent past aquaculture has taken speedy movement in Nepal, attracted rural people for employment, income and nutrition. Fish diseases are of great importance, affect sustainable development of the program. Spontaneous disease occurrence in the fish ponds was reported throughout the country. Among all the pathogens, bacterial and mycotic diseases are potentially harmful for most of the farmed fishes. Among bacterial pathogen, Aeromonas salmonicida, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fluorescence Flexibactor sp, Vibrio parahaemolyticus are of common occurrence. The ubiquitous fungus Saprolegnia sp and Aphanomyces invadans affect wide range of fish species, while Branchiomyces is another filamentous fungus which obstructs the blood vessels in the gill filaments. White spot disease of fish caused by protozoan ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is one of the most common and troublesome fish pathogens. Other protozoans associated with cultivated and non-cultivated fishes are Trichodina sp, Epistylis sp, Myxosoma sp, Apisoma sp, Costia sp or Ichthyobodo sp. Among monogenetic treamatodes, Dactylogyrus sp and Gyrodactylus sp are important as they cause sometime very serious infections while digenetic trematode the Diplostomum sp is reported from Catla and Labeo. The Bothriocephalus sp. and Caryophyllaeus sp are common tapeworm affecting carps and other fishes. Among nematodes Procamellanus mahendrai, Atracits emilii and Hedruris bryllosi are reported. Leeches cause considerable damage to the host includes Helobdella stagnalis, Hemiclepis marginata, Glossiphonia complanata and Erpobdella octoculata. Parasitic Crustacea include fish louse (Argulus) and anchor worm (Lernea). Argulid parasitism is considered one of the more serious threats to farmed fish.

Prevention of fish disease is accomplished through good water quality management, nutrition and sanitation. Chemotherapy is the major means of control of many diseases of fish. Simple effective treatments are available for many parasitic and fungal diseases. Formalin (15-25ppm) is widely used against ectoparasitic protozoa and dye malachite green (0.05-0.1ppm) is a potent fungicide. The methylene blue @ 3ppm has been recommended effective against protozoans for ponds and aquarium. Trichlorfon at 0.25mg/l and formalin at 15-50mg/l as therapeutic control measures were found effective to control Trichodina sp in fry and Agrulus sp in brood fish. Anitbacterials are widely used in the treatment of bacterial diseases but where they are in regular use problem of resistance have become wide spread, including multiple resistance. The chemical Diptrex @ 0.5-0.8 ppm is being used to control monogenetic trematodes. Similarly Di-n-butyl tin oxide mixed in fish feed @ 0.28% and fed @ 3% of body weight of fish proved to be quite effective against cestodes. Generally lime (CaO @500kg/ha), potassium permanganate (KMnO4 @2-5 ppm), formalin @ 15-25 ppm, common salt (NaCl @ 1-5% for dip), acetic acid and copper sulphate (CuSO4@0.25-1 ppm) are commonly used for pond treatment. Careful manipulation of aquatic environment and fish health has significant potential for limiting pathogenic effect from many of ectoparasites. Control of microbes and parasites is still far from being satisfactory and further research is needed.

*Central Fish Laboratory, Central Fish Building, Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal

1District Agriculture Development Office, Bara, Kalaiya, Nepal

*Email: girin2007@gmail.com

A survey research was carried out in Rahuwahi VDC of Bara district to study the Fish drying techniques, livelihood of Fisher communities “Mallah” and dry Fish Marketing systems. There were total 11 “Mallah” families involve in this occupation and all were interviewed with the help of semi- structured questionnaire and check list The study shows that fishes used for the drying were dominated by Naini (Cirrhina mrigala) locally called as Chhadi (avergae length 20 cm) with an average weight of 80g /fish which were dried over the wire mesh tray kept in locally made Bhatti by using fire wood of Mango, Sisso and Sal. Each family has got one Bhatti using 113 kg fresh daily which were purchased from the pond of Bara and Parsa districts as well as boarders areas of India. The average price of fresh fish was found Rs 82.5/ kg which were mostly available in Aswin to Paush. The fresh fish received up to 2 pm in the drying spot then the drying activities starts from 3pm which continue up to 11 pm. The time required for complete drying of fresh fish depends on fire wood quality and size of fish. The ratio of fresh to dried fish was found 4:1. All dried fish marketed directly to the traders in Asan, HanumanDhoka and Mangal Bazar of Kathmandu valley by the Mallah communities themselves. The sale price of the dry fish varies from Rs.400 -500/kg according to season and festival. This business runs through out the year except rainy seasons due to shortage of small fish in the market as well as involvement of family members in others agricultural activities. The average annual family net income obtained from this business was found Rs.120000 which has brought substantial changes in the livelihood of fisher communities (Mallah). Study shows that unavailability of fresh fish and fire wood in time were found main problem in this business.