7. research accomplishments
TRANSCRIPT
Research Accomplishments
The salient accomplishments/ outcomes of different intramural and extramural projects (both on-going
and completed) are given below:
1. Department of Fisheries resources Management:
The department has completed only one extramural research project funded by Tripura JICA Project:
• Total 103 species fishes were recorded from the
aquatic resources of Tripura. Out of the 103
species 4 (four) species recorded first time from
Tripura, namely- Neonoemacheilus assamensis,
Sisor rhabdophorus, Glyptothorax
manipurensis and Schistura nagensis.
• Total 28 (twenty eight) familes are recorded
viz., Notopteridae, Anguillidae, Clupeidae,
Cyprinidae, Cobitidae ,Balitoridae
,Parasilorhynchidae, Homalopteridae,
Belonidae, Belontidae, Anabantidae,
Heteoneustidae, Siluridae, Sisoridae,
Amblyciptidae,Clariidae Ambassidae,
Nandidae, Channidae, Gobiidae,
Mastacembeidae, Osphronemidae, Bagridae,
Chacidae, Synbranchidae, Aplocheilidae,
Schilbeidae, Tetraodontidae,
2. Department of Aquaculture:
The department has completed one intramural and two extramural research projects of ICAR.
Intramural:
• A survey carried out in South Tripura district
indicated that more than 50 species suitable
for keeping in aquarium are available with
varied qualities.
• Following species were identified as the
potential species on which intensive research
investments and efforts can be placed to
develop commercially viable technologies to
ensure regular supply of these fishes produced
through artificial propagation and cultured.
• The species are Colisa faciatus, Botio dario,
Aplocheilus panchax, Barchdanio rario,
Pseudambassis baculis, Pseudambassis ranga
Chanda nama, Nandus nandus, Mystus
vittatus, and Chaca chaca.
Externally funded from ICAR:
• As part of this project, a survey carried out with
996 families to assess the participation of
women in aquaculture activities indicated that
in 44.66 % families women did not involve in
any of the aquaculture activities and obtained
significantly lower production (1325
kg/ha/year) as compared to those families
wherein women were involved with aquaculture
activity at varied degree (1601 kg/ha/year).
• Further, among these women involved in
aquaculture activity, only less than 2% women attended any of the aquaculture trainings.
• Among the men, nearly 78% attended to some trainings organized by the Department of Fisheries.
The study has clearly shown the need to focus on women and provide them with knowledge and skills
to increase aquaculture productivity.
• Another study carried out to assess the fish seed nursing farmers has shown that farmers adopt wide
ranging stocking density and management practices, but yet make good profits from this activity.
• With the availability of spawn at low cost, seed are stocked even up to 40 lakh /ha and nursed using
locally available feed ingredients. Though survival of spawn declined with the increasing stocking
density, the best benefit–cost ratio of 3.35 was obtained at more than 40 lakh /ha stocking density,
while the overall BCR was 2.40.
Externally funded from ICAR:
• Among the various substrates screened,
bamboo was found to be easily available
substrate in all places.
• To determine the density of bamboo in fish
pond, trials were conducted with
participating farmers wherein 25%, 50%
and 75 % of the pond surface area
equivalent was covered with bamboo
poles. These were compared with control
group of farmers with no bamboo.
• The production obtained by farmers at the
end of six month culture showed that the
provision of substrate resulted in higher
production at all levels as compared to
control and the maximum level of
production ( 2262 kg/ha) was obtained at 50% level while in control , it was only 1516 kg/ha.
• The production obtained at 75% level was marginally lower (2190 kg/ha), but at 25% level,
production increased almost by 25% as compared to control ponds.
• Based on these results, it is suggested that farmers can use substrate up 50% level in the pond and
enhance fish production besides other benefits.
Department of Fish Health and Environment
The department has completed two intramural, one extramural research projects, and another two IRPs
and one inter institutional project are ongoing.
Intramural
• Total 14 (fourteen) genus of fish parasite were
documented. All the parasites were distributed in 6
different higher taxa viz., Myxozoa (Protozoa);
Ciliophora (Protozoa); Platyhelminthes-
Monogenea, Cestoidae & Digenea; Nematoda;
Acanthocephala; Arthropoda – Crustacea.
• Out of these, Argulus sp., Dactylogyrus sp., and
Neothelohanellus catlae were very common.
• The Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS)-like
ulcerative condition in bata was due to A. invadans.
Possibly, this is the first report of occurrence of
EUS in bata.
• In healthy fish, EUS was successfully reproduced
by intramuscular injection and cohabitation which
helps in understanding the infectivity and role of A.
invadans.
• Increased level of different immunological
parameters in EUS-affected fish confirmed the
active participation of innate defence mechanisms in inhibiting invasive hyphae.
• Haematological profile was altered significantly in EUS-affected fish suggesting their possible use as
marker for the diagnosis of EUS.
•
•
Externally funded from DST
• In total, 22 genera of zooplankton, important
source of natural foods for fishes, were
identified from water bodies.
• Among them, Bosmina tripurae (Cadocera) is
an important species whose biology,
population dynamics and nutritional values
have been studied in relation to water quality
parameters.
• Maximum abundance of Bosmina tripurae was
recorded in all water bodies during January to
March.
• Water Temperature is one of the determining
factors in the seasonal distribution of Bosmina
tripurae.
• The nutritional values of Bosmina tripurae
were found to be: Total carbohydrate (13.8
mg/gm to 27.8 mg/gm), total Fat (9.6 to 18%),
Total N (7.8-10.5 %) and Protein (48.75- 65.62
%).
• Minerals (mg/gm) content of Bosmina tripurae
were found to be: Phosphorus (1.30-3.61, Fe-
24.90-125, Al- 4.5-8.08, Mn- 0.1-15.21, Ca-
24.90-89.42, Cu 0-.96, K- 30-60, Mg- 11.7-119.7).
Externally funded NAIP
• The baseline survey in two village clusters (Maracherra and Balaram) have been completed to know the
present farming system practiced by the farmers for further intervention towards the livelihood
improvement of the poor farmers.
• As a part of the sensitization program and entry point activities, several group meeting/ individual
contact have been made. Release of quality fingerlings in selected SHGs and beneficiaries was organized
in two clusters.
• ‘Training cum Exposure Visit’ for farmers was organized at College of Fisheries
• Quality fish seeds were distributed among 28 numbers of farmers during the said training program.
• Two off-campus training programme on ‘Fish Based Farming System’ was organized at Balaram.
• Various farm inputs were provided to develop fish based farming system among Twenty-three nos. of
beneficiaries (10 at Balaram & 13 at
Maracherra) and one SHG from Balaram.
• To develop the fish based farming system
total 9 (nine) pattern of technologies were
introduced which includes: i) Fish-fruit-veg-
pig farming (6), ii) Fish- fruit- veg -pig-
spawn farming (1), iii) Fish- fruit- pig
farming (9), iv) Fish- veg- pig farming (1),
v) Fish- veg- pig farming (3), vi) Fish
spawn rearing (New- 1), vii) Fish spawn-
composite- veg- medicinal plant farming
(New- 1), viii) Paddy (Rice) - fish culture
(New-3), and ix) Paddy (Rice) - fish - pig
culture (New- 1).
• Total Area Covered = 8.48 ha (Land area=
6.24 ha; Water area= 2.24 ha) under fish
based farming system in both the clusters.
• Out of such nine intervention Fish-fruit-
veg- pig farming was found as more
effective as compared to others. The
production of fishes per ha was increased
as tune of 2.6 and 1.8 after intervention
from 0.6 and 0.3 in case of Uttam Debnath
of Balaram and Bhagirath Debbarma of
Maracherra.
• Fish spawn rearing–composite-veg-fruit-
pig farming is started as new intervention
during this year. The ditch of Sri Biswa
kumar Debbarma was used for such
purpose from where he sold fingerling of
Rs. 7500/- during this year.
• Total 54 numbers of ITKs were documented under integrated fish farming.
• Aquatic system health card was prepared and distributed to the farmers.
• Three types of horticultural plants viz., banana, papaya and pineapple were introduced as per the pattern
of land in the fish based farming system.
Department of Fish Genetics & Reproduction
The department has completed three intramural and one extramural research projects.
• The eggs of Ompok bimaculatu, pabda, started hatching
after 20 hours and within 24 hours all the eggs hatched
(at a water temperature of 27 degree centigrade).
• The larvae were fed from the third day after hatching
ad-libitum, twice daily and the concentrations of the
live feed (artemia nauplii/ zooplankton) in the rearing
tank were adjusted depending on the residual live feed
concentration in the tank.
•
•
• The larval rearing in laboratory
condition, for 12 days showed that it was
possible to obtain a survival percentage
ranging from 47% - 62 %.
•
• Further, rearing of larvae in cement
tanks for a period of 30 days resulted in
a survival percentage of about 90%.
• The results demonstrate the potential to
improve larval survival by providing apt
food and water quality conditions.
Externally funded from ICAR:
• 434 lakhs carp spawn has been produced in hatchery and 5.32 lakhs fry/fingerling of IMC has been raised
till date.
• Freshwater prawn PL produced 41,500 till date.
Department of Fish processing Technology:
The department has completed four intramural, one extramural research projects and another two IRPs and
one external funded project are ongoing.
Intramurals
• Establishment data-base of proximate composition of Hilsa ilisha
(Indian shad) of Meghna estuary.
• Evaluation of seasonal variation of biochemical composition of
hilsa.
• Evaluation of biochemical composition of lona ilish.
• Comparison of quality of lona ilish between indigenously produced
and imported from Bangladesh.
• The quality of lona ilish imported from
Bangladesh has been found comparatively better
than that of the indigenously produced one.
• The key microorganisms of fermentation are
Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Bacillus.
• Pathogens of public health significance were not
found in any of the samples.
• The pH remains near 6 when the shidal becomes
ready for consumption, which is again a reason
for low count of bacteria.
• Curry standardization: The recipes of Fish-Veg
mixed curry (FVMC) have been standardized and
it was prepared using two recipes viz. FVMC
with potato (FVMC+p) and FVMC without potato (FVMC-p). The recipe was standardized through
sensory evaluation by regular fish eaters following 10 point Hedonic scale and all the products could
secure a sensory score of around 9.
• Canning and storage study were done for Fish-Veg mixed curry (FVMC)
• The blend fish-rice starch-corn starch (20:40:40) with extrusion conditions (moisture-20%, barrel
temperature-1200C, screw speed-350 rpm and die diameter-3.0 mm) has shown maximum expansion
ratio (2.4) and scored higher value (overall
acceptance 7.95) in sensory evaluation
• The blend fish-rice starch-corn starch (20:40:40)
with extrusion conditions (moisture-20%, barrel
temperature-1200C, screw speed-350 rpm and die
diameter-3.0 mm) has shown maximum expansion
ratio (2.4) and scored higher value (overall
acceptance 7.95) in sensory evaluation
• For fish-rice-corn-soya and fish-rice-corn-bengal
gram blend the best combination of extrusion
parameters found for high expansion index and
low bulk density were temperature, screw speed
and die diameter as 1200C, 350 rpm, 3.0 mm and
1200C, 425 rpm and 3.0 mm respectively.
• Silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) can be
used to produce fish based extruded snacks.
Externally funded from Ministry of Food Processing:
• The proximate composition of about 20
indigenous small fish fishes were analyzed
and used for product development
• The Products developed were
1. Fish pickle
2. Prawn pickle
3. Fish cutlet
4. Fish ball
5. Fish Finger
6. Fish sausage
7. Kamaboko products
8. Dried fish products
9. Smoked fish products
• A training programme was organized to train the State Govt. Fisheries Extension Officers, NGO
workers and SHG members. The training program was on a training on Value Added Fish Product
Development was held with 21 participants from all the states of northeast 17-21 JULY 2006.
Department of Fisheries Engineering:
The department has completed only one intramural project.
Intramural:
• Following gears are used in tripura:
� Gill Nets: Fashi jal / Kanke jal/ Chatjal/ Current net and
Drift net
� Drag Net: Laitya jal;, Fy jal; Ber jal; Atta ber jal; Tana jal
and Para jal;
� Bag nets: Pelni Jal; Phaloon/ Khara Jal/ Bel Jal; Chapila
Jal and Maiya/Aain-Jal;
� Falling Gears: Kuni Jal / Uran Jal; Pachanjal and Polo
jal(Castnet)
� Lift Net: Dharma Jal;
� The indigenous fishing lines, hooks and traps which are specially designed to catch target fish
species in Tripura were identified.
• There are three different types of wooden boats namely; Kusha, Dingi and Saranga are being used for
fishing. These crafts are built with locally available wood rangi/jarol etc. by village carpenters.
Department of Fisheries Economics and Statistics:
The department has completed two intramural, one extramural research projects.
Intramural:
� The fisheries resource database can be broadly
categorized into fisheries statistics, water resource,
fish details, technology and institutional sub
databases. This database is being developed using
MS Access. After deciding the attributes and field
types for particular table, the data tables on
district/block code, fish species details, available
water area, fish production (capture/culture), fish
seed production, export/import; technologies and
Institutions are created. Then entity relationships
(E-R Diagram) are set in order makes the relational
database.
� The block wise production of fish, fish seed
production, culture and capture water area, fish
farmers and fisherman population were collected
for the period 2004 to 2008. The monthly data on rainfall and number of rainy days for 17 observatory of
Tripura were compiled for the period 1998 to 2008.
� The details of 129 fish species found in Tripura along with their images were digitized and the report on
Fish Species of Tripura with their details was generated. A typical view of the report is given above.
Department of Fisheries Extension:
The department has completed three intramural research projects..
• The finding of the research states that in inland fisheries
extension one of the limiting factors is the low
competency of fisheries extension personnel, especially
in major area of fisheries science like aquaculture, fish
diseases & environmental monitoring and fish genetics
& reproduction.
• In specific subjects still core areas required competence
as identified by the Fishery Officers in the state of
Tripura. These are culture of commercially important
fish species, soil & water quality management,
fish/prawn seed production technology,
entrepreneurship development, preparation of shidal and
design and construction of fish farm.
• Large adoption gap was found in improved feeding practices, use of aerators, water exchange and
monitoring and liming practices.
• Knowledge of scientific fish farming, share of fisheries to total income, fisheries related training
programme attained, aspiration, extension contact, potentiality to realise opportunity had positive and
significance relation with adoption of improved practices of carp culture.
• The major constraints perceived by the fish farmers were lack of availability of balanced feeding
combined with shortage of quality seed.