An Economic Evaluation of Biofloc Fish Culture During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Kerala, West Coast of India

Abstract

In this survey-based study, techno-economic efficiency and growth performance of Genetically Improved and Farmed Tilapia reared in biofloc-based unit sunder Subhiksha Keralam project were evaluated. The culture system included five biofloc tanks and one silpaulin tank culture (STC) having 25, 000 L each. The GIFT tilapia were stocked at 1250 fingerlings per tank. The study was carried out for a year, and two cycles (each cycle of five months) were carried out. At the end of the trial, fish attained an average body weight of 450.65 ± 24.20 g in biofloc units, which was 94% higher compared to STC tanks (232.25 ± 13.40). The mean specific growth rate (SGR) was higher in biofloc system (0.66 ± 0.02) than the STC (0.35 ± 0.04). The total harvest weight in biofloc and STC systemswere 578 kg and 260 kg, respectively. The net profit obtained ranged from Rs. 92,500 – 1,06,500 and Rs. 4650 in biofloc system and STC. Similarly, the biofloc system yielded a higher benefit: cost (B.C.) ratio (2.03-2.17) and rate of return (108.05-123.27) compared to STC. The biofloc fish farming also showed a higher economic viability (B:C ratio: 1.89-2.03 and rate of return: 100.55-115.77) in comparison with the STC (B:C ratio: 1.05 and rate of return: 23.78). Thus, the biofloc fish farming could be identified as an alternative source of livelihood for the fishermen/farmers. However, in the context of higher production rates, farmers also should take care of marketability of the fish by adopting novel marketing strategies such as live fish trade and value addition.