Adoption Level and Impact of Polyculture Technology with Minor Carps and Pabda (Ompok bimaculatus Bloch, 1794) in Tripura

Abstract

The dual challenges of a rapidly growing population and widespread malnutrition continue to affect millions of people in developing countries such as India. To address these issues, it is imperative to achieve sustainable increases in food production while relying on fewer resources, including land, water, labour, and agrochemicals (Shil et al., 2022; Noor et al., 2018). Aquaculture has emerged as a key sector capable of contributing significantly to food and nutritional security, while simultaneously generating sustainable livelihood opportunities (FAO, 2014). In India, aquaculture is predominantly characterised by the farming of various indigenous and exotic carp species, which contribute the major share of overall production. Polyculture has been a traditional aquaculture practice in several Asian countries for thousands of years (Ren et al., 2018). Over time, it has been widely promoted to local farmers as a sustainable strategy to enhance productivity and resource-use efficiency (Quyen et al., 2017). For small-scale farmers, polyculture not only contributes to food security but also supports household livelihoods. In aquaculture, farmers can increase their productivity and profitability through the adoption of new technologies. In recent years, Pabda and Minor carp culture has attracted growing interest due to its hardy nature, adaptability, and strong market demand driven by high consumer preference and price (Debnath et al., 2016). Among the indigenous catfishes, Ompok bimaculatus (pabda) holds particular significance in Northeast India, including Tripura, where it is valued both for its delicate flesh and premium market price (Goswami et al., 2023).