Even though cage fish culture has received wide acceptance among youth as an alternative income source, there are several challenges that need to be addressed as climate change and environment pollution are strong disruptors.
Some of the main challenges are the presence of invasive black mussel (Mytella strigata), annual flooding and massive accumulation of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, finds a study undertaken by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and youth of Ezhikkara panchayat. The study underlines the need for continuous technical support to successfully implement technology-based farming models as alternative livelihood sources.
The case study was published by KVK fisheries expert P A Vikas and principal scientist Shinoj Subramannian in the latest issue of Indian Journal of Fisheries.
KVK under Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has been training and helping youth take up cage culture in coastal panchayats and pokkali-shrimp farms in Ernakulam.
“We also introduced the concept of ‘farm-gate’ where a one-day market is open on the spot for people to take home live fish. Over the past few years, this has become a festive event for panchayats which organize it on holidays,” said Subramannian.