As part of government’s efforts to reduce import of livestock products, the government is encouraging farmers to take up fish farming. Lhamoi Dzingkha Gewog in Dagana recently was given 40,000 fingerlings by the National Centre for Aquaculture or the NCA to start up commercial fish farms.
Dil Bhadur Subba received 7,000 fingerlings from the National Centre for Aquaculture in Gelephu, three months ago. He has two ponds, strewed with two types of commercial fish- Common Carp and Grass Carp. Dil Bhadur expects to harvest in six months time. But as winter sets in, he fears there would be challenges.
“We have water problem in winter. The sources dry up. If the government could help us with the resources to put in place a permanent water source, I think people will be more interested to take up fish farming.”
Seven other farmers in Lhamoi Dzingkha also received support in setting up commercial sized fish farms. They were given more Nu.60,000 to establish the farm. “For villagers like us, it is the easiest and best source of income because we do not have to work hard; if we have a proper water supply and feed them well, we can harvest fish quickly and make money easily,” said a farmer, Karma Sherpa.
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Apart from farming, the Gewog Livestock Extension Offices provides supports in technical and marketing aspects. Lhamoi Dzingkha’s Livestock In-charge, Sangay Dorji, said they will be providing the farmers harvesting nets. “We have even trained them how would we go about when it comes to marketing the products. There are supports and this would help us achieve the Department of Livestock’s target of 11th FYP.”
The Department of Livestock has set a fish production target of 750 metric tons every year by 2018.
The National Centre for Aquaculture is also expected to commence the implementation of a multi-million project to establish a mega fish farm in Samrang in Samdrup Jongkhar this month. And by beginning of 2017, the project is expected to produce 175 metric tonnes of fish.
