Pangasius farming is one of the fastest growing aquaculture industries in India, and northern states are among those with the fastest growth. India is the world’s 3rd largest global fish producer and 2nd largest global aquaculture producer.
Pangasius fish are more robust and resistant to diseases than any other Indian species. It can reach harvest weight in a shorter period of time. India is the world’s second largest pangasius producer after Vietnam.
Causes of mortality encountered during pangasius culture are as follows:
• Most of the farmers in northern India suffer 10-30% fish seed mortality due to disease outbreak from injury and transportation stress
• The most common bacterial diseases observed are red spot disease caused by motile aeromonas septicaemia, BNP (Bacillary Necrosis of Pangasius) caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and parasitic infection of Trichodina spp and Epistylis spp.
• These infections lead to loss of appetite in fish, making them weak and prone to mortality reduced growth and mortalities.
• Northern Indian farmers have incurred heavy losses of up to 70% mortality by stocking pangasius in colder temperatures.
The pangasius trading needs to be streamlined by mitigating the existing hurdles
• Pangasius farmers face hurdles in selling market sized fish because demand in many states is minimal with low prices.
• Many farmers have to look outside of their native region for a better market and higher prices, which leads to issues with freshness and an increase in transportation costs
• In the Indian market, pangasius prices vary according to the size of fish during harvesting.
Challenges for pangasius farming in northern India
• Lack of pangasius hatcheries in northern India which leads to poor quality and costly seeds
• There is only one season (summer) because of the colder temperatures
• Few fish markets and fluctuations in price due to lack of proper cold storage and preservation
• Costly fish feed and medicine for the production of pangasius because it requires high protein value meal
• Consumers are used to buy only live and fresh fish
• Lack of proper guidance to farmers regarding stocking, feeding and farm management
• Introduction and culture of new species in market which has good growth rate and price value.
The future of pangasius in India
India has grown over the years and become popular among fish farmers in several states as the biggest producer of cultured pangasius. Production is estimated at around 400,000 to 425,000 metric tons per year. Freshwater aquaculture production including pangasius will represent 62% of global aquaculture production by 2030, according to the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its 2019 annual report. India and Indonesia are the biggest producers of Pangasius after Vietnam.
Blogger:
Dr. Sathish Prasad
Senior Scientist – Aquatic Animal Health
Growel Innovation Center,
RS NO.57, Chevuru Village, Sriharipuram Panchayat, Mudinepalli Mandal, Krishna District – Andhra Pradesh India – 521329
Email: [email protected]