Farming of Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) under single stocking and multiple harvesting to produce finger size fish, called Chhadi, is emerging rapidly in Nepal. The culture of Chhadi fish was conducted for the period of 90 days from 15th Sept to 15th Dec, 2023 to investigate its production and gross margin. A cemented tank of 25 m² in size was used to calculate its growth, yield and survival. Fry of Mrigal and Rohu with an average size of 1.37±1.14 g and 2.92±1.02 g respectively were stocked at the stocking density of 15 fry/m². The ratio of Mrigal and Rohu was 9:1. Pond preparation was done to create suitable conditions for Chhadi production, Urea and DAP were used at doses of 4.7 g/m²/week and 3.5 g/m²/week respectively. The feeding was done at 5% body weight at initial 2 months twice a day and at last 1 month used 3% of body weight using pelleted feed which was prepared using mustard oil cake, rice bran and soyabean meal in 2:2:1 ratio. Water quality parameters DO, temperature, pH and Secchi disc visibility were recorded daily. The average temperature at morning (7 AM) and afternoon (3 PM) were 25.2±4.5 °C and 28.6±4.2 °C respectively, average DO at morning and afternoon; 4.3±1.4 mg/L and 7.3±1.2 mg/L respectively, average pH at morning and afternoon 8.1±0.3 and 8.3±0.2 and Secchi disc visibility at 11 AM was 39.2±14.8. During the culture period, sampling was conducted at a fifteen days interval to ensure the growth rate and for feed adjustment. From the study, the average harvested weight of Rohu and Mrigal was 33.21±8.6 and 26.25±5.70 g/fish respectively. Similarly, the total weight gain of Rohu was 853 g/tank and that of Mrigal was 6770 g/tank. The overall survival rate of Chhadi was 87.93%. The overall extrapolated GFY and NFY were 12.99 t/ha/yr and 12.36 t/ha/yr respectively while the AFCR was 1.28. The B/C ratio of Chhadi production during the culture period was 1.73.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Objectives
1.2.1 General objective
1.2.2 Specific objectives
1.3 Rationale of the study
1.4 Limitation of the study
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Status of Chhadi in Nepal
2.2 General description of species
2.2.1 Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)
2.2.2 Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)
2.3 Culture system
2.4 Supplemental feed and feeding
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 ELE Site
3.2 Cemented tank preparation
3.2.1 Drying and cleaning
3.2.2 Salting
3.2.3 Water filling
3.2.4 Pond fertilization
3.3 Procurement and stocking
3.4 Post stocking management
3.4.1 Feed and feeding
3.4.2 Water management
3.4.3 Fish sampling and growth check
3.4.4 Water quality monitoring
3.4.5 Fish harvesting and Marketing
3.5 Analytical methods
3.5.1 Fish production and growth
3.5.2 Gross margin Analysis
3.5.3 Statistical Analysis
4. RESULT
4.1 Fish growth and production
4.1.1 Mrigal
4.1.2 Rohu
4.1.3 Production of Chhadi
4.2 Water quality parameters
4.3 Marketing of fish
4.4 Gross Margin and B/C ratio
5 DISCUSSION
6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Objectives and Research Fields
The objective of this study is to evaluate the technical and economic viability of producing small-sized fish, known as "Chhadi", through intensive farming in a cemented tank system. The research examines growth metrics, water quality management, and profitability to provide a technical package for local farmers.
- Intensive culture of Mrigal and Rohu in cemented tanks.
- Evaluation of growth performance and production yields.
- Monitoring of water quality parameters (DO, pH, temperature).
- Economic analysis including gross margin and benefit-cost ratio.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4 Supplemental feed and feeding
Supplemental feed plays a significant role, even in semi-intensive system, to achieve greater productivity per unit area in the aquaculture in order to maintain high number of fish, that the natural food can't support, and within the short culture period (Garg, Kalla & Bhatnagar, 2003). Under different aquaculture systems, the cost for supplemental feed varies; being highest in intensive systems while lower in semi- intensive and totally zero in fully extensive systems. The economic feasibility of the aquaculture enterprise largely depends on supplementary feed cost; in general costing 40- 60% total cost of fish production (Honannda et al., 2019; Sayed et al., 2020). There are mainly two types of supplemental feed; locally made formulated and commercial feed, the former being cost effective in comparison to later, so farmers majorly use formulated feed which is prepared from affordable local ingredients. But, under the intensive culture of carps, commercial pellet feed should be used for a successful system of production (Abid & Ahmed, 2009). However, ordinary mash feed is sufficient for the culture of Rohu and Mrigal under fertilized culture conditions (Mandal & Das, 2014).
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the growing importance of Chhadi fish farming in Nepal as an intensive, high-profit sub-sector of aquaculture and introduces the specific objectives of the study.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Reviews the current status of Chhadi farming, biological characteristics of primary carps, and existing knowledge regarding culture systems and nutritional requirements.
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the experimental setup in a cemented tank, including preparation, stocking densities, management practices, and the mathematical formulas used for performance analysis.
4. RESULT: Presents the gathered data on fish growth, production statistics, water quality parameters, and the economic performance of the culture cycle.
5 DISCUSSION: Analyzes the observed results in comparison with previous studies, addressing factors such as growth rates, survival, and the impact of the tank environment.
6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, confirming the profitability of the Chhadi farming system and offering final observations on the experimental outcomes.
Keywords
Chhadi, Mrigal, Rohu, Intensive Farming, Cemented Tank, Aquaculture, Growth Performance, Production, Water Quality, Benefit-Cost Ratio, Profitability, Supplementary Feeding, Nepal, Fish Fry, Survival Rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this study?
The study focuses on the investigation of production efficiency and economic returns of "Chhadi" fish farming (young Mrigal and Rohu) within an intensive, small-scale cemented tank system.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The work covers culture site preparation, stocking density, post-stocking management (feeding and water quality), growth analysis, and economic evaluation.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The goal is to determine the growth, yield, and profitability of Chhadi farming and to provide a practical reference for technical management and economic advancement for local farmers.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The study uses experimental pond culture over a 90-day period, utilizing daily monitoring of water quality parameters, regular biometric sampling of fish, and gross margin analysis to calculate profitability.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The body addresses species biology, site-specific management practices, nutritional composition of feed, water chemistry, and market performance in the Chitwan region.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Chhadi, intensive aquaculture, Mrigal, Rohu, cemented tank, production, and cost-benefit analysis.
How does the cemented tank environment impact fish growth compared to earthen ponds?
The study suggests that the cemented bottom and smaller unit size compared to earthen ponds may lead to lower natural food availability and potential stress for bottom-feeding species like Mrigal, resulting in variations in growth rates.
What was the overall economic performance of the trial?
The Chhadi production recorded a benefit-cost ratio (B/C ratio) of 1.7, indicating a profitable venture, although the author notes that this could be further improved by excluding predators and optimizing feed conversion.
- Quote paper
- Anusha Neupane (Author), 2023, Production of Chhadi in Cemented Tank, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1505983
