Bengal farmers turn fans of fingerling farming

West Bengal is the second largest fish producing state in the country after Andhra Pradesh. But fingerling farming offers greater advantages over cultivating full-grown fish since it generates profits within a short period, typically 60-75 days. And villagers in Jhalda block of Purulia district are now discovering the benefits of fingerling farming for themselves.  

The market price for fingerlings is Rs 300-350 per kg, positioning it as more financially rewarding than traditional fish farming. The feasibility of producing two or three cycles per year reinforces how effective it is in giving quick returns. Fingerlings, being smaller, can be collected in larger quantities, amplifying the economic yield per unit.

What’s fingerling farming?

After fertilisation, the female fish lays eggs, which spawn in three days. The newly emerged fry – the stage when they are typically 6-25 mm in size – are kept in the nursery for 15-20 days. When the fry reach 20-25 mm size, they are transferred to a hapa (small pond) till they become fingerlings of 80-150 mm size in 60-90 days. 

Fingerling farming process requires a thorough evaluation of the pond, considering the farmer’s risk tolerance and inclination, as well as the water source and soil quality. 

Each year, rearing involves drying the tank, liming, desilting, adding cow dung in readiness or fingerling stocking and thereafter regularly assessing water quality and pH. The producer also needs a proper understanding of the market.

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Rearers who buy the fingerlings cultivate them for nine months when most Indian major carp, save catla, attain 100-200 gm in size. It has a distinct market demand and fetches better returns than rearing carps till kilo-size or more. It also helps the farmers avoid water stress during summers when most village ponds in Purulia dry up.

Short-term revenue

Villagers in Jhalda block of Purulia district discovered this way to an increased income when Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a development organisation, offered free intensive training in fingerling farming.

In June 2023, Uttara Mahato, a resident of Murguma Village in Begunkodar panchayat underwent training in fingerling cultivation. The 25×25 feet (25 decimal) pond dug by her father-in-law manually 30 years ago, is 5 feet deep. Jointly owned by her husband and his brother, it had a suboptimal use earlier, till she decided to use it for raising fingerlings.

The vocation requires a rough initial annual investment of Rs 15,000 for a 33-decimal plot. PRADAN gives free training, but not free eggs, so as to empower people rather than create dependency.

Mahato purchased 10 bowls of fish eggs, containing a mix of Indian major carps rohu, catla and mrigal, and also bata fish. Each 135 mm diameter bowl, costing Rs 150, contains roughly 35,000 eggs. During the rainy season of August-September, she sold 150 kg of fingerlings to PRADAN affiliates and local people, earning around Rs 53,000 within 90 days.

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As Mahato’s tank is fed by a canal from Murguma Dam, water is available throughout the year, enabling her to continue rearing fingerlings.

With a part of the revenue, Mahato bought 12 kg of dogi (local term for juvenile fingerling) at 30 pieces per kg, from other fingerling rearers. This swapping between pond owners provides a new competitive environment to fingerlings and thus fosters faster growth over continuing with one’s own fingerlings. Once grown, Mahato would earn Rs 150 per kg, while also eating fish regularly at home. 

Getting it right

Asis Mondol, who holds a PhD in fisheries and is engaged as an expert by PRADAN, said that a sense of responsibility and careful investment among the farmers is crucial. Their present approach creates a ripple effect as successful farmers become influencers, encouraging others with smaller land holdings to make tanks and venture into fingerling production, said Mondal.

Traditionally, fish are not given any external feed other than mustard oil cake. So PRADAN gradually introduces requirements of special feeding and then maintenance diet involving costs. 

While fingerling farming presents a profitable business opportunity, it is not without challenges and risks. One challenge is convincing farmers to have faith in the short 60-day sales cycle and the initial investment for digging and setting up the pond. 

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Another challenge is maintaining the pH level of water, as fluctuations can lead to fingerling mortality. There must be a minimum water depth of 4 feet, available for at least 60 days. Extreme temperatures are not ideal for the fingerlings’ growth. A new pond matures to peak potential in about two years, by when there is soft soil or silt, called kada or poli in Bengali, at the bottom, which helps to fertilise the pond and maintain the water quality.

A well-designed round pond with a slope instead of a square one makes it easier to cast the net and also for the fingerlings to move to top during the day.

Then there are market uncertainties. If everyone shifts to fingerling production, it could impact the cultivation of larger fish, highlighting the need for a balanced approach within the industry.

A replicable model

Fingerling production is a boon for small and marginal farmers, typically those having ponds of 30-50 decimals (roughly 1.5 bigha land). 

Though fingerling farming is tougher than fish rearing, with proper guidance, it can bring profits. 

By offering inhouse and field-level training to empower villagers who are not traditional fisherfolk in Jhalda, PRADAN plays a critical role in building knowledge on rearing fingerlings, while reiterating the important parameters for success and facilitating adherence to them. PRADAN demonstrates the feasibility of working with non-traditional fisherfolk and making a success of it.

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This fingerling farming model is replicable across India, requiring only small land holdings, a 4-feet deep water source, and a willingness to invest and receive guidance. The interdependence of the business becomes evident as small farmers sell fingerlings to larger ones, who nurture them into adult fishes, creating a symbiotic relationship within the industry. 

The lead image at the top shows fish of varying sizes being sold in a wholesale market. (Photo by Kinshuk Ghosh)

Kinshuk Ghosh is a second-year student at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, pursuing B.Sc, B.Ed in physics.