Introduction of Amur- Common carp
A genetically improved variety of Common carp – Amur (Hungarian strain) was introduced for the first time in the ICAR NEH Region fish farm, Barapani, Meghalaya in early 2010. The breeder’s seeds of this variety were procured from the Fisheries Research and Information centre of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bangalore. Initial trial on this variety had shown encouraging results. In a culture period of six months, the fish attained an average weight of 300 g under mono culture condition at the farm complex of the institute. Currently, the division is working on production of quality seeds of improved strain/variety Common carp following planned breeding programme with two lines ( paternal
& maternal). Evaluation of growth performance of the improved strain/ varieties in comparison with the local strain in mid altitude condition is under progress. The study is being funded by the R & D wing of NABARD, Mumbai.
First breeding trial under mid hill conditions The breeder’s seeds of initial average weight 14.5 g reared under mid altitude condition at the institute fish farm complex attained maturity in about 14 months period. A few fishes attained a maximum weight of 1.5 kg in a culture period of 14 months (Fig 1-3). Male matured earlier than the female. The first breeding trial with this new variety was conducted successfully in March’2011 when the atmospheric temperature varied between 160C to 18.3 0 C. The fertilized eggs took about 78 to 83 hours to hatch. Water temperature ranged between 19 0 C to 22.8 0 C while water pH varied from 6.5 to 6.8.
Rice + fish farming
Rice - fish is the basic diet for most people of northeast India. A low lying area connected with a perennial stream was selected jointly with the Soil science division of the institute for conducting the experiment. Under mid hill condition, Common carp in rice field (plot size: 61 x 12 m2=732. m2) yielded encouraging results. The paddy plot was designed with perimeter canal (size: 1 m width & 0.75 m depth) and a centre pond (size: 5m diameter & 0.75 m depth) for rearing only Common carp, Cyprinus carpio at a stocking density of 5,000 nos/ha. Common carp seeds of average size 7 cm in length and 6 g in weight were introduced after 21 days of paddy plantation on 10.08.2010. In a rearing period of 237 days a production of 683 kg of common carp per hectare could be obtained without supplementary feeding. An average fish growth of 177.5 g was recorded during the period, while the maximum growth of an individual fish was 435 g (Figs 4-5).
Fry nursing of Golden mahseer, (Tor putitora, Ham)- An endangered species in pond based cage culture system
Golden mahseer is one of the most important fish species of the northeast especially in the hill states.
Fig 1 Pond reared Amur – Common Carp
Fig 2Selection of brooders for quality seed production
Fig 3 Seed production of Amur- Common carp (eggs, larval development and spawn)
However, the population of this important indigenous fish species has been reduced to a great extent over the years due to several factors. Since the species now constitutes a negligible fishery of the hill streams and rivers, it has been categorized under the endangered fish species. Recently, an effort has been made to rear the juveniles of this species at the fish farm complex of the institute. The seeds of Golden masher were provided by the Directorate of Cold Water Fisheries Research, ICAR, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. Golden mahseer juveniles of average size 2.36 cm was stocked in a 1 cubic meter low-cost bamboo cage at a stocking density of 100 nos per square meter in September 2010.
The cage of size 1x1x1 m was fabricated with bamboo and nylon net material which was fixed in a pond with the help of bamboo poles for evaluation of survivality and growth over a period of 60 days from September to November 2010. The experiment recorded 70 % survival and a growth increment 2.39 cm in terms of length and 11 g in terms of weight under pond based cage culture system (Figs 6-8). During the study period
water temperature varied between 17 – 28 0C while average water pH was 7.
Fig 4 Paddy plot with perimeter canal Fig 5 Growth of fish after 237 days
Fig 6 Pond based cage culture
Fig 7 Performance of Golden mahseer, Tor putitora fry in pond
Fig 8 Juveniles of Golden mahseer reared under pond based cage culture system
Thermal tolerance of potential native fish species Brachidanio rerio and Danio dangila acclimatized to four different temperatures
Recent studies have shown that exposure to warm water can adversely affect the growth, survibility and reproduction of fishes inhabiting the hill streams. This study was designed to determine the species specific variation in thermal tolerance and metabolic activity, critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and lethal thermal maximum (LTMax) of Danio dangila and Brachidanio rerio adults acclimatized at four temperatures. For this purpose, fish were reared continuously at constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35°C for 45 days. The results implicate CTMax (36.4±0.05, 37.2±0.04, 38.7±0.03, 39.8±0.01); LTMax (39.8±0.03, 40.4±0.02, 41.2±0.06, 42.2±0.03), increased significantly (p<0.05) in B. rerio with increasing acclimation temperatures. Similarly, CTMax (36.2±0.02, 37.7
±0.31, 39.6±0.07, 40.9±0.10); LTMax (38.1±0.08, 39.8±0.06, 40.0±0.07, 41.1±0.04) increased significantly (p<0.05) in D. dangila with increasing acclimation temperatures. Inter species specific variation (between B. rerio and D. dangila) was evident at 30 and 35°C. Oxygen consumption rate increased (p<0.05) with increasing temperatures in both the species. However, temperature quotient (Q10) was more in B. rerio (1.52) in comparison to D. dangila (1.43). Overall results suggest that B. rerio is more thermal tolerant and show better adaptation in comparison to D. dangila (Fig 9).
Feed utilization and reproductive competence of H.
fossilis males reared in comparatively high temperature
In general, fishes cannot maintain a constant body temperature like mammals do. Their body is exactly at the same temperature as the water they are living in.
Fishes can live in very cold or very hot water, but each species has a range of preferred temperatures. Most fish can’t survive in temperatures too far out of this range. When fishes encounter water that is too cold for them, their metabolic activities slow down and become lethargic. On the contrary, as the surrounding water warms up, metabolic activities speed up and they digest food more rapidly, grow more quickly, and eventually have more energy for reproduction. But fish need more food and more oxygen to support this higher metabolism. On this backdrop, the current experiment was conducted to study the feed utilization efficiency by H. fossilies at ambient (17±0.5°C) and comparatively higher water temperature (32±0.5°C).
Experimental feeds were prepared using viscera of pig and goat and were fed twice daily at 5% body weight.
The growth parameters and gonado-somatic index was recorded at 15 days interval from the beginning of experiment. The study implicates goat viscera based feed utilization is better at higher temperature (32±0.5°C) with significant increase in GSI than other tested feeds at same and/or lower temperature (Table 1).
Cryopreservation of Chocolate mahseer milt The Chocolate Mahseer is one of the endangered fish species in northeast India. Recent studies have revealed that the natural stock of Chocolate mahseer in various water bodies of the region has taken a declined trend. This might have happened due to various factors such as change in habitat, irresponsible fishing and climate change. Besides, it is also reported that the attainment of sexual maturity in male is earlier Fig 9 Brachidanio rerio (left top panel) and Danio
dangila (right top panel). Damaged fish morphology at lethal temperature (bottom panels)
Table 1 Variation in weight gain (g) and GSI (%) by feeding 3 experimental diets to the H. fossilis at elevated and ambient water temperature
Experimental Tanks
Tank 1 Tank 2 Tank 3 Tank 4 Tank 5 Tank 6
Temperature (°C) 32±0.5 32±0.5 17±0.5 17±0.5 32±0.5 17±0.5
Feed type Pig based Goat based Pig based Goat based Control Control
Initial weight (g) 110 130 130 110 100 100
Final weight (g) after 30 days 160 190 160 155 135 130
Initial GSI (%) 0.31 0.28 0.33 0.34 0.36 0.25
Final GSI (%) after 30 days 1.40 1.90 0.82 0.97 1.11 0.48
(8-12 months) than the female counterpart (2-3 years) that pose severe difficulty in achieving captive breeding. In this backdrop it is paramount to conserve the gametes of this important fish species through in situ measures. One of the proven technologies for in situ conservation appears to be cryopreservation. It provides flexibility of long term preservation under ultra-low temperature and timely utilization of such preserved gametes as and when required for mass-scale propagation. This approach might overcome the problem of irregular sexual maturity that currently existing in nature.
In a preliminary trial, toxicity test was conducted using four extenders incorporating various cryoprotectants i.e. DMSO, Glycerol, Methanol and Ethylene glycol (Table 2). The extenders were prepared by diluting cryoprotectans in modified ringer solution (Table 3). Survibility of spermatozoa were observed under light microscope at different time interval such
as 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. It was found that DMSO at 1M concentration with modified fish ringer solution gave maximum up to 50% survibility for 20 minutes where as survibility of spermatozoa was significantly lower is other extender solutions.
Table 3 Chemical composition of modified ringer solution
Chemicals Grams/100ml distilled water
NaCl 0.75
KCl 0.01
CaCl2 0.016
NaHCO3 0.02
pH 7.5
Growth performance of fish in fish cum pig integrated system
An integration of fish with pig was done in pond area of 468 sq m to increase the profitability by nullifying the feeding cost for fishes by application of fresh pig dung in to the pond. Fish species stocked
were C. mrigala, L. gonius and L.bata at a ratio of 2:1:1. Stocking density of fish was 10,000 fingerlings/
ha and pig was 40 no/ha. At the end of six month trial, 51.31 kg of fish was harvested which is equivalent to 2150 kg/ha/year (Fig 10).
Fig 10 Growth performance of fish in fish cum pig integrated system
Human resource development
The Fisheries division conducted one major training programme with financial assistance from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad for the benefit of Fisheries officers of Govt. of Meghalaya in January 2011. The five day long training was conducted on a topic entitled Enhancement of fish production through fish based farming system in the hill state of Meghalaya. An exposure visit cum training on ornamental fish culture was organized for the entrepreneur and extension officials at the request of Directorate of fisheries, Govt. of Assam. In addition, the staff of division imparted training to visiting farmers / entrepreneurs and also participated as resource person in various training programmes conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Meghalaya and institute’s SWPAL programme.
Fish seed production and distribution
The fisheries division has intensified the seed production programme in the past year and the produced seeds were distributed to the aspiring fish farmers of the state at fair price. Thus, the revenue Table 2 Chemical composition of extenders (µl/10ml ringer’s solution)
Chemicals E1 (0.5M) E2 (1M) E3 (2M) E4 (3M) E5(4M) E6(5M)
DMSO 390.5 781 1562 2343 3124 3905
Glycerol 460 920 1840 2760 3680 4600
Methanol 160 320 640 960 1280 1600
Ethylene glycol 310 620 1240 1860 2480 3100
generated is principally based on sale of fish seeds.
During the period 2010-11, an amount of 1,09,756.00 (Rupees One lakh nine thousands and seven hundred fifty six only) was generated. Fish seeds of major as well as minor carps and exotic carps have been produced along with two varieties of ornamental fishes, Gold fish and Koi carp.
Livelihood Improvement and Empowerment of Rural Poor through Sustainable Farming Systems in North East India, NAIP Component 3 (SRLS) Zero tillage in toria- a success in Tamenglong, Manipur
Toria (var. M-27) was introduced in 50 ha area through Zero tillage technique in the 3 selected villages (Fig 1). Higher productivity (0.84 t/ha) of toria obtained
under zero tillage as compared to local practice (0.54 t/ha). Farmers are also extracting the oil from their own seeds with the oil expeller provided by the ICAR.
The zero tillage cultivation of toria is gaining popularity in the adjacent districts also. The advantages of zero tillage in toria are timely sowing is possible (October-November), conserve soil moisture and require less water, saves tillage cost and the soil is protected from erosion due to the retention of surface residues and reduce organic matter depletion.
Fig 1 Training programmes organized by the Fisheries Division
Fig 2 Fish seed production and distribution
Fig 1 Toria (M-27) under zero tillage, Tamenglong
SRI and ICM method of paddy cultivation- a great success in Dhalai, Tripura and South Garo Hills, Meghalaya
A total of 1103 nos. of farmers in Marachera and Balaram cluster under Dhalai district (Tripura), were given seeds of Pusa-44, Samba Mashuri and Naveen
@ 1kg/kani (0.16 ha) for SRI cultivation (Fig 2).
Similarly, a total of 95 farmers were provided with Ranjit variety of paddy in South Garo Hills (Meghalaya). Farmers followed the SRI method of rice cultivation right from raising of nursery. About 90% farmers were satisfied with the SRI method due to the increase in productivity. Average productivity of local variety in South Garo Hills district was 1.5 t/
ha and in Dhalai District it was 2.1 t/ha. After introduction of Ranjeet variety through SRI average productivity went up to the 4.8 t/ha in South Garo hills whereas, in Dhalai (Tripura) after the introduction of Naveen variety through SRI the productivity went upto 3.7 t/ha. In the two sites (Dhalai & South Garo Hills) the average enhancement in income/ha/yr due to the introduction of HYV rice + SRI technology increased by Rs 6700/ha/yr. A total of 1200 farmers were benefited.
Fish + duck + pig based farming system in South Garo Hills, Meghalaya
Sixty household in 11 villages of Sibbari cluster, South Garo Hills were selected for Fish + duck (Sonali) + pig (Hampshire) based farming system (Fig 3). A
total of 10 new ponds were constructed and renovated old small ponds (30 nos) scientifically. Due to this intervention farmers fish productivity has increased by about 1.5 t/ha and individual farmers are earning about Rs.10,000 from their pond (25m x 25m). Duck give about 150 eggs/annum as compared to 110-120 from local one and villagers are selling egg @ Rs. 6-7/
egg. The improved Hampshire breed is giving two furrowing in a year with 7-8 piglets/furrowing. Farmers are selling the piglets after 3 months @ Rs. 1500/piglet.
Some farmers are also selling vermicompost @ Rs. 6/
kg. Banana (var. Malbhog) started giving fruits for some farmers. Arecanut, citrus and guava are in vegetative stage. Altogether the farmers are very happy and they are earning a net income of about Rs. 15,000/
annum from such integrated farming.
Terracing for Panikheti in Mon, Nagaland
Under natural resource management, terracing for panikheti (Fig 4) in Lampong Sheanghah village (Mon District) was done not only to enhance rice productivity but also to introduce second crop which otherwise used to be kept fallow by the farmers. A total of 9 households were involved covering an area of 6.2 ha with a net cultivable area of 4.9 ha under terrace cultivation.
Terracing was followed in the lower part of the hillock with slope of about 30%. All the terraces were made at a vertical interval of 1m keeping the topmost soil intact. Irrigation channels were prepared to divert water from the stream. For nutrient management, a thick row of hedgerow species like Tephrosia candida and Crotolaria spp. were planted and the green biomass was mulched into the terraces. Two rice varieties Shahsarang and Lampnah were cultivated which showed the productivity enhancement by 3 fold (3.39 Fig 2 SRI in Garo Hills and Dhalai
Fig 3 Pond + Pig + Duck based IFS, Garo Hills
Fig 4 Terrace Wet Rice (panikheti), Mon
Fig 5 Turmeric processing unit
Fig 6 Year round vegetable production in polyhouse, North Sikkim
t/ha) as compared to the indigenous landraces, i.e.
Rakchu having the productivity of 1.2 t/ha in wet land condition.
Turmeric processing at Saiha, Mizoram
For the first time a turmeric processing unit (Fig 5) was established at Saiha, Mizoram to boost value addition to locally produced turmeric. Thus, farmers of Saiha where market for sale of fresh turmeric was not adequate could now sell their produce with higher price in different markets in the state. A total of 3 SHGs (32 members) in Saiha district (Mizoram) are involved in Turmeric processing unit. An average of 400 kg of dried turmeric is being processed per month and is sold @ Rs. 10/100gms packet. Due to the installation of turmeric processing unit employment and income of SHG members is enhanced.
Year round production of high value vegetables at North Sikkim
Year round cultivation of high value vegetables;
tomato (Avinash, Anup, Romeo and All Rounder), capsicum (Indra and Orebelle), cauliflower (Suwashini and Girija), broccoli (Everest and Aishwarya) etc under polyhouse has increased the income of the farmers (Fig 6.) in North Sikkim. More than 10 SHGs of Lingdong, Passingdang, heegyathang, Tinvong and Samdong are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables. Under this project 29 low cost polyhouses have been constructed, more than 1 lakh seedlings have been distributed and the area under protected cultivation has been increased to 0.5 ha from 0.02 ha. Farmers are earning a net income of Rs. 4880 to Rs.11800 from 0.02 ha area from year round vegetable cultivation in North Sikkim.