Integrated farming of catfish and carps: A paradigm for enhanced productivity and income generation

Abstract

Improving profitability via productivity is a paramount global issue and considerable initiatives are underway to increase farmers' income through aquaculture. The primary aim of these initiatives is to foster economical aquaculture using a sustainable methodology, hence preserving environmental integrity. These initiatives are being executed consistently across multiple levels. Including the accessibility of high-quality seed, the implementation of alternative species in aquaculture, the formulation of species-specific and economical fish feed, the establishment of disease-free and pristine water quality culture techniques, the utilization of additives and nutraceuticals to enhance productivity and growth in aquaculture, and the advancement of integrated methodologies in fish farming, among others. The integrated and coordinated approaches of the culture system persist in captivating fish growers throughout Asian nations. The primary rationale for this is its cost efficiency. Likewise, linking various food trophic levels inside the culture systems demonstrates an effective approach. We achieve this by linking the food trophic levels and transforming the waste of one fish species into sustenance for another. The integrated cultivation of catfish and carp is founded on this fundamental idea. In this scenario, only catfish ingest artificial feed, whereas carp predominantly flourish on naturally occurring food in the pond. Catfish require more feed, whereas carps consume and grow using the natural food generated from it. Consequently, the food chain is entirely and effectively exploited. Consequently, we can get pond output of 8-20 tons per acre without the necessity of constant aeration.