Amur common carp- a good alternative to local common carp in farm ponds of Belagavi, Karnataka

Inland aquaculture enterprise of Belagavi is carp dominated with an average annual production of 6000 MT. However, inbreeding depression of major carps and lack of diversity of culture species limiting the growth of the sector. ICAR-BIRDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Belagavi has introduced Amur Common carp - a potential strain developed through selective breeding of both exotic and indigenous strains of Common carp at Fisheries Research and Information Centre, Hesaraghatta, Bangalore. Very characteristic feature of Amur Common carp is delayed maturity (8m). Longer maturity period gives sufficient time for body growth. Local Common carp basically attains early maturity (5m) and prolific breeding nature eventually leads to very slower somatic growth. Front line demonstration conducted on comparative growth analysis of Amur common carp v/s local common carp in different water bodies such as earthen ponds, HDPE lined ponds and cement tanks. The demonstrations were carried out for 3 yr during 2012-13 to 2014-15. A total of 15 demonstrations were conducted in 6 villages in the district. Given 9 months for culture period, it was observed that Amur common carp has attained an average size of 820g compared to local common carp (460g) in mono and polyculture. Comparative study of growth analysis in different types of water bodies, both species have performed 10-15 per cent better in earthen ponds compared to HDPE lined and cement tanks due to the availability good quality detritus. Farmers were very much convinced about the Amur which yielded 42 per cent higher than local common carp. Till 2019-20, through training and various extension activities KVK has popularized the Amur strains and also solved the problem of non-availability of seeds by sensitizing the state department of fisheries and regional fisheries research stations. More than 200 farmers have started farming which was the indication of horizontal expansion of technology.