Kadapa: Fish farming has been flourishing in the district for the last two years, thanks to the favourable climate, abundant rainfall and, apparently, the reservoirs that are full to their brims.
Fisheries officials are also taking steps to boost fish production accordingly. While the target of fish production and breeding in the district was only 23 lakhs in 2019, it has increased five times by 2020 and 1.20 crore fish farming has been undertaken. While the target for the current year is 1.60 crore fish, it is already raising I.30 crore fish seedlings.
Kadapa district has recently brought in three-day old fish spawn from Anantapur. They are reared at fish hatcheries in Kadapa, Brahmamgarimatham and Rajampet.
Currently the climate is favourable for fish hatcheries.
These are being reared in a private hatchery in addition to the three hatcheries maintained by the district fisheries department. There are 40 lakh fish seeds in the hatchery at Devunikadapa fisheries office in Kadapa, 70 lakhs in the hatchery at Brahmangarimatham and 10 lakhs seed in the hatchery in Rajampet. Another 10 lakhs fish seedlings are also being reared at a private hatchery in Mylavaram. They are kept in hatcheries for 45 to 60 days. By then, these seedlings are likely to grow to a size of two to three inches.
Water availability and local conditions are then assessed to determine in which reservoirs to raise these fish. They are released into reservoirs under the auspices of fisheries co-operative societies as per the government directions, thereby providing employment to local fishermen as well as societies.
District fisheries deputy director Avva Nagraja said, "We are currently raising one crore and thirty lakh fish seedlings. We are raising Catla, L. rohita, C. Mrigala and common carp varieties of fish. These will be released into reservoirs after growing to specified size. Steps will be taken to cultivate the fish as per the decision as soon as the government issues the order.”
