January 29, 2008

India successfully develops breeding programme for the rohu fish

Scientists from Bhubaneswar-based Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) have found a way to break the seasonality associated with rohu's breeding habits.

CIFA told The Statesman that this achievement has the potential to revolutionise India's freshwater aquaculture sector.

Farmers usually acquire fish eggs on October, but this development will enable them to collect the fingerlings in their ponds as early as mid April and to capitalise on at least five months of the growing period.

CIFA director Sarangi said the best conditions for fast growth of fish is between April and October, so this new technological development will greatly benefit the farmers and entrepreneurs.

The Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) is a premier Institute in freshwater aquaculture in India. It was established at Cuttack, Orissa in 1949 with a view to finding solutions to problems of fish culture in ponds and village tanks.