Prospects of fish farming in developing countries

Economic Review, April, 1991 by M.M. Nazri

The potential for fish farming particularly in developing countries is great. It offers an economical source of protein rich food. It also offers that the land which are unsuitable for cultivation, can be used for fish farming. According to the UN Survey, the fish production from aquaculture in 1985 stood 10 million tons, close behind beef, pork and poultry. According to the FAO estimates at present world aquaculturer account 12 per cent of global fish production, but it will be more than double by the end of the century. FAO figures suggest the demand for aquatic foods will reach 110 million tonnes annually by the year 2000 creating a 20 million tonne gulf between supply and demand.

Over the same period there is likely to be no significant increase in the yield of oceanic catches, and in any event such fish will cost more due to rising fuel costs. At present China leads the world in fish farming like the Chinese most of the fish farmers in Asia, maintain small farms, less than one hectare each, and the yield is about 4.5 times of fish per hectare and in terms of protein 5 times better than any agricultural crop. Many farmers raise fish in conjunction with poultry and use the animal waste to fertilise then fish ponds. Fish do not use much energy to maintain body heat or for locomotion, and have a food to fresh conversion rate of 1.5 to '1 as against with beef 7 to 1 and chicken 2.3 to 1.

The economic viability of fish farming is becoming widely recognised. It is said that more than half the fish eaten in Israel are produced from fish farms. Similarly 25 per cent fish in China and in India, 11 per cent in USA and 10 per cent in Japan are aquaculture products. In developing countries, fish farms not only improve a nation's diet but bring income to small farmers and create employment particularly in rural areas. Several decades back, carp have been the stable fish used for farming and accounts about 80 per cent production.

Stereo-Breeding

"Stereo-breeding" involves multiple layers within the same ponds. Silver carp feed on plankton which floats on the surface. Below them, Grass Carp eat water weeds. On the bottom of the pond. Black Carp consume small shellfish and molluscus. Both crucian and Common Carp are scavengers and will devour any left-overs that settle on the bottom improvers grain production by as much as 10 per cent. Recent developments in aquaculture mean that the potential for fish-farming in Africa, especially in arid regions with sources of sea water, as well as tropical regions, is substantial. Research has shown that tilapia, an African fresh-water fish, converts food to flesh even more efficiently than carp.

The Role of Fisheries in

Economy of Pakistan

Pakistan has small coast line about (1,050 kilometers), less production of aquaculture, and low per capita consumption of fish, fisheries sector plays small role in Pakistan's economy. The total value of fish and fish products produced in Pakistan was about Rs. 4 billion or about 0.8 per cent of the country's total GDP in the same year. Out of Rs. 4 billion, approximately Rs. 1 billion was contributed by the shrimp subsector. According to Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) Estimate, in 1984, there was 219,000 full time and part time fisherman employed in addition there were about 50,000 persons employed in fish handling, processing, marketing, boat building and other subsidiary industries.

The fisheries sector in Pakistan employees about 1 per cent labour force however, in Balochistan coastal area, the marine fisheries is the largest employer of that area. Though the fisheries sector's contribution to national GDP of Pakistan is small its export earnings is great. Pakistan earned 80 million or 3 per cent from total export from the exports of fish and shrimp products in 1985.

In future the fisheries sector will, however, depend more on fresh and frozen fish as there appears little expanded shrimp production from marine fisheries. The total catch (marine and inland) fish in 1987-88, was 427,760 m. tons as against 427,760 m. tons in 1988-89. OUt of total catch 427,760 m. tons, 92,950 m. tons was fresh water fish. The catch (lives weight equivalent to landing) comprises of commercial, industrial and subsistencer catch.

Assistance by ADB

The Asian Development Bank has so far assisted (Agricultural Develpment Bank of Pakistan) ADBP in five areas, i.e. Fisheries, Livestock on farm water management, Agro Industries and forestry besides providing funds for Development loans. The Fishery Sector in Pakistan is one of the important sources of farming foreign exchange earnings. The first credit loan was sanctioned in Pakistan by ADBP in December 1970 for the development of marine fisheries resources and extensive fresh and brackish water areas available for inland fisheries and aquaculture. The loan mounted to US $6.73 million. The project completed in December 1975. The second loan was approved in 1979-80 under the aquaculture development project and was completed in December 1988. The third loan amounting to US $30 million is the continuation of the first loan and has been advanced under second marine fisheries development project.