This is an account of a project concerned with the appraisal of fish culture in Burma and aid in its development. It was carried out under the Technical Assistance Sector of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP/TA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) by Dr. H. Chaudhuri (India), FAO/UNDP/TA Inland Fishery Biologist during the period of 20 August to 13 November 1966. 1
The majority of the Burmese people are fish-eaters, fish constitutes a major item in their diet, and with the rise of population in the country, the demand for fish has increased considerably. In an effort to increase fish production, the Government of Burma has expanded its program for the development of fish culture throughout the country, but the scarcity of stocking material - commonly called “seed” in the East - of economically valuable species of fish seems to be the major obstacle impeding this expansion.
With a view to solving this problem, the Government of Burma made a request to FAO for technical assistance by an expert in induced breeding of fish for a period of three months during the fish breeding season of 1966. Dr. H. Chaudhuri, Senior Research Officer and In-charge, Central Inland Fisheries Research Sub-Station, Cuttack, India, was selected as the Inland Fishery Biologist for this program.
The objectives of the technical assistance program were to advise and assist the Government of Burma in: the development of fish culture, with special attention to the breeding of cultivated carps in ponds, the selection and rearing of brood fishes, techniques of pituitary gland injection and hatching and nursery management. The expert was asked to train local workers in such matters. He was also directed to make an appraisal of the present status of fish culture in Burma and the possibilities for its development and to formulate a program of work for a fish culturist whose services have been requested by the Government of Burma for a period of two years.
The expert arrived in Rangoon on 20 August 1966 and reported for duty on 22 August. Following preliminary discussions with the Director of Fisheries, Burma, he started his work at the Hlawga Fisheries Station.
Due to technical difficulties, the expert's assignment could not start at the scheduled time and he could report for duty only at a time when the fish breeding season (normally May-July) was almost over. Apprehending this, the expert brought with him necessary fish breeding equipment and materials so that he could start experimental work without waiting for their procurement.
During the expert's assignment, he met the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of National Planning, Government of Burma, and discussed with him the objectives of the assignment, progress of the work and future development of fish culture in Burma. The expert also met the Vice-Chairman and the Technical Adviser of the People's Pearl and Fisheries Board, Burma, who gladly agreed to provide facilities for conducting induced fish breeding work at the Twante Fish Farm under the control of the Board.
The expert was in close contact with the Director of Fisheries, Burma, and in consultation with him a work program for the assignment was drawn up and approved by FAO. U Hla Tin, Fishery Officer, Directorate of Fisheries, Burma, was counterpart officer to the expert and the field staff of Hlawga Fisheries Station assisted in the work.
The expert was introduced to the Professor of Zoology of the Rangoon University by the Director of Fisheries, Burma, and at the request of the Government, delivered a series of lectures to the students. (See section 5).
During the earlier part of his assignment the expert made short tours in lower Burma and during October 1966, along with the counterpart officer and the Director of Fisheries, Burma, was on tour to upper and central Burma for two weeks to visit inland fishery stations and Government fish farms, several carp spawn, fry and fingerling collection centers on the River Irrawaddy and its tributaries, a few important fisheries and a number of private fish ponds. However, lack of time and security reasons prevented visits to many places of fishery interest.
Upon completion of his field assignment, the expert left Rangoon on 13 November 1966 for Rome for debriefing and termination of assignment on 19 November 1966.
