This guideline has been prepared in order to encourage aquaculture, viz. fish farming as an activity in integrated watershed management. It can also be considered as presenting a choice to the staff at the field level who can then make a comparison to determine the financial benefits which will accrue from fish farming in appropriate conditions and in the presence of necessary prerequisites ‘vis a vis’ using the same land for other agricultural purposes.
This study was carried out in Myagdi District on the special request of the C.T.A. of this project. The primary objective for the Myagdi District is to establish a couple of Fish Farming Demonstration Centres. There is no doubt that any Demonstration Centre can play a prominent role and act as a catalyst or extensive method for further development of similar activities. If properly done and successfully carried out, farmers will be motivated and persuaded to adopt the techniques and methods demonstrated and embark on fish farming in the appropriate areas of the district where all the necessary prerequisites are available. This second objective will be the consequence and result of a good demonstration exercise.
This paper consists of two major aspects: 1) The first one deals with the factors which influence and contribute largely to a successful fish farming project. Emphasis is laid on the unique fish farming demonstration centre at Galeswor and the location of other existing ponds. 2) It is followed by a rough calculation of the revenue and the Capital Investment needed to fence a pond of approximately 125 m2, covering a plot of land of ¼ of a ropani.
Hence, the whole cost of excavation of a new pond is computed. The operating costs amounts to only 521 rupees annually. However, a provision of 10 % is made for contingencies. Labour under this item represents 1 hour per day to provide feed and is not included, for family labour is used. The total investment during first year will be approximately 13,390 rupees. Consequently an amount of 8,200 rupees representing nearly 60 % of the total investment is regarded as loan at a rate of 9 % for a period of 12 years and an a moratorium period of two years.
The rest, will be the farmer's contribution by providing the labour and the operation cost. The life time of the project, has been set at 20 years, although in reality, with proper maintenance, it can last for a much longer period.
In table 4, amortization of loan of a of 8,200 rupees with the terms stated earlier is calculated. The farmer will have to refund only 1,633 rupees from the 3rd year upto the 12th year. Since the estimated net profit will be about 3,474 rupees, there is no doubt that the farmer who will have eventually taken a loan will find no difficulties in refunding same. This amount will represent approximately 47 % of the profit. It will be less than half of the net profit. It is to be noted that other feed needed for feeding of fingerlings and fish are yard manure, husks and damaged cereals. These inputs are available on the farm.
The feed can be supplemented by allowing ducks in the ponds during appropriate time i.e. from the fourth month upto the time of yield. On one hand, the excrements of the ducks will be of a very high nutritive value to the fish and on the other hand duck rearing without any considerable effort will be a substancial income generating activity.
