INTEGRATED FISH FARMING (OSTRICH AND CATTLE CUM FISH) IN AN ORGANIZED LIVESTOCK FARM IN TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an efficient way of recycling farm waste or farm by-products. In present study the fishes (Catla, Common carp, Grass carp, Rohu and Silver carp) were cultivated through ostrich feed wastages and cattle manure in six month period. The average fish survival of 86% was observed and it was varied from 84% to 88%. The total weight of fishes harvested was 50.95 kg, 43.71 kg, 42.58 kg, 54.95 kg and 53.76 kg for individual varieties such as Catla, Common crap, Grass crap, Rohu and Silver carp respectively. The average weight of fish at harvesting was 386.0 g, 502.5 g, 507.0 g, 426.0 g and 632.5 g with 64.33 g, 83.75 g, 84.50 g, 71.00 g, 105.42 g average weight gain of fish per month in Catla, Common carp, Grass carp, Rohu and Silver carp respectively. The benefit cost ratio was observed as 2.35 with the net profit of Rs.21,247.50 for 6 months culture period in 0.06 Ha pond area. It was concluded that ostrich and cattle cum fish integration was a suitable and economically viable integrated system in Tamil Nadu.