Fish farming input uses and production performance in north and middle Andaman

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is gifted with freshwater resources in the form of Rivers and canals (115 KM), reservoirs (1000 ha), tanks & ponds (3000 ha) etc. to meet the requirement of freshwater for agriculture, domestic and other uses. North and Middle Andaman district is considered to be the farmer’s home where large numbers of families opt to have small or larger ponds in their backyards for fish farming. However, fish productivity is lower as compared to national average. This is mainly due to application of inadequate uses of production factors in fish ponds. The present study aimed to critically analyze those factors that influence level of fish production in ponds between two important tehsils of the district. The study was conducted in Rangat and Mayabandar Tehsils of North and Middle Andaman district and primary data were collected using the pre-designed structured interview schedule. Results of the study showed that pond productivity was 1846 kg/ ha in Rangat which was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the fish productivity in Mayabandar (1131 kg/ha). Number of fish seed stocked was lower in Rangat, as compared to that of Mayabandar and the difference was found to be significant. The reason might be use of higher level of manure applications and feeding with locally available inputs, which was also significantly different. Other uses of ponds and distance of pond from home plays an important role in level of management and thereby productivity of culture ponds.