KVK offers its assistance for fish breeding
The desilted pond at Sucaldem.
MARGAO
An initiative by the village panchayat of Chinchinim in May last to desilt the ponds have not only helped to restore the water bodies, but has opened avenue for aqua culture for the village youth.
Desilted with the help of the Water Resources department (WRD) in May last in a bid to restore the water bodies after years of neglect, the ponds have now come in handy to launch aqua culture project in the Sucaldem area of the village.
Blessed by around a dozen traditional ogors (ponds), Sucaldem may emerged as an aqua culture hub with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Goa offering its assistance for fish breeding in the seven desilted ponds.
In fact, Sunday saw the KVK officials led by Project Director Shivram Gaonkar distributing Chonak seeds to the farmers. The officials also conducted demonstration on Seabuss culture (Chonak) which was later released in the fish pond by Hrishesh Pawar (scientist) Krishi Vighan Kendra South Goa in the presence of Chinchinim Sarpanch Valentino Barretto, Panch members & farmers at Sucaldem.
Sucaldem ward member Frank Viegas said the ponds were desilted in the month of May-June with the help of WRD. “The village panchayat took the opportunity to train the farmers of Sucaldem in aquaculture in association with Krishi Vighan Kendra South Goa after we approached the agency for assistance”, Franky said.
He added: “Our youth must take this opportunity to venture into fish farming where the demand is huge. Since this is the first time that the youth of the area have given a try to aqua culture, we will evaluate the result in three months time”.
Given that most of the ponds were being owned by the local Communidade body, the water bodies were taken on lease by the individuals, adding “as a local body, the village panchayat Chinchinim supported so they can earn their livelihood”.
